Understanding

Culture, Society
and Politics
Weeks

5-6
What I Need to Know
This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master the nature of Understanding Culture Society and Politics. The scope of this
module permits it to be used in many different learning situations. The language
used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged
to follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read
them can be changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.

The module is about the significance of cultural, social, political and economic
symbols and practices (MELC 4).

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Identify the human origins and the capacity for culture
2. Determine the role of culture in human adaptation
3. Explain processes of cultural and sociopolitical evolution
4. Analyze the key features of interrelationships of biological, cultural
and socio-political processes in human evolution that can still be used
and developed

What’s In
Learning Task 1: Analyze the images below and Identify which shows
ethnocentrism or cultural relativism. Write your answers on your paper.

1. In the Philippines, it is said that a person came

from the northern part of Luzon (Ilocano) are stingy.

2. Filipinos are known for being hospitable.

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 3. Some say rich people are snobby.

4. Philippines are known for having variety of

delicacies which used different cooking
techniques but all native food are tasty and
delicious.

5. Some cultures include eating of dog meat.

What’s New
Learning Task 2: The ICEMAN and the ALPS (this activity is adapted
from slideshare.net accessed May 25, 2020)

In 1991, hikers in the Alps found a dead body and notified the authorities.
They thought that person might have died on a recent hike, but extensive scientific
testing revealed the body to be around 5,000 years old! Since the ―Iceman‖ was
frozen for all this time, his body clothing, and tools were all preserved intact, giving
us a rare glimpse of what it must have been like to live in the Neolithic Era.

The discovery of the Iceman has also given us a mystery to solve. The autopsy’
revealed many signs of violent death. When archaeologists inquire about the past, the
examined evidence and put it together to tell their story. What story does it tell?

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 Artifacts

 Copper Axe
 Flint knife
  Unfinished longbows
 Flints (stones used for
 tools and fire)
 Mushrooms
 14 bone-tipped arrows
o Two finished
o Twelve unfinished
Autopsy

 Cerebral Trauma to
 the head
 Cuts and bruises on hands Your assignment:

 Arrow wound in shoulder By yourself, use at least 6 pieces of
 (arrow probably removed) evidence to tell a story about the events
  Blood from 4 people (DNA)
leading to the Iceman’s death. Remember
 57 Carbon Tattoos (dots and that the only wrong answer in history is an
lines on lower spine. Back of
answer that lack evidence. Be creative and
 knees and right ankle)
 About 5000years old

1. Based from the activity, what is the significance of human material remains and
artifactual evidence in interpreting culture, social and political processes?
___________________________________________________________________________

2. As compared to our lives today what differences do we have from these men
who lived 5,000 years ago in terms of biological and cultural features? Use
the reconstructed picture of the iceman below.
Present day Human Beings

__________________________________
Biological difference:
__________________________________
_________________________

__________________________________
Cultural Difference: __________________________________
_________________________

3. As you can see, there is a big difference between the biological and socio-
cultural features between that Iceman and you. Why do you think changes
happened in all aspects of your life from time to time?

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Learning Task 3: The 3-IN-1 Learning Stations

Carefully look at each picture. Give your descriptions pertaining to their:

1. CULTURE or way of living

2. PHYSICAL capacity in doing the task

3. The kind of LEADERSHIP they have

Station 1

1 ______________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________

Station 2

1. _____________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________

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Station 3

1. __________________________________________

2. __________________________________________

3. __________________________________________

Station 4

1. __________________________________________

2. __________________________________________

Station 5

1. ____________________________________

2._____________________________________

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Guide Question:

In two to three sentences, explain how our cultural and sociopolitical ways has
changed over the years?

Answer:
_____________________________________________________________________

What is It
In this part of your journey, we provide something for you to read to deepen your
understanding about the topic.

Please do it with comprehension to discover knowledge that will help you out in
dealing with the next phase of your quest.

Learning Task 4: Think it over:

1. When we try to compare then and now, what are differences in terms of how
people carry out things physically, culturally, and socio-politically?
___________________________________________________________________________
2. What are the different stages in the cultural development of human?
___________________________________________________________________________
3. How does human grow culturally, socially, and politically in Paleolithic
Period? Neolithic Period? Age of Metal?
___________________________________________________________________________

4. Why do you think people need a transformation or evolution to adapt to

his/her environment?
___________________________________________________________________________
5. Do you observe practices that preserve culture in today’s living? Explain by
giving an example.
___________________________________________________________________________
___
6. As a human, how do you progress? List down at least five things that you
can’t do 10 years ago, and the things that you can do at present.

10 years ago, I CANNOT At present, I CAN

HUMAN CULTURAL EVOLUTION

It is a saying that ―human has no contentment‖. As the environment changes, we

continuously grow and find ways to make maximize our effort as we live. It is very
evident in the different stages of human cultural evolution: Palaeolithic Period,
Neolithic Period, and Age of Metal.

The term ―Palaeolithic‖ was coined by archaeologist John Lubbock in 1865. It is

derived the from Greek word, palaios, which means "old"; and, lithos, "stone", In
short, the Palaeolithic Period, which happened 2.5 million years ago, is also known
as "Old Stone Age".

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In the Palaeolithic period, the Earth was extremely cold and ocean levels were
much lower than they are now. Due to the cold climate, much of the Stone Age is
also called the Ice Age.

During these years, people were nomads and able to use simple tools and weapons
made of unpolished stone. The caves served as their shelter.

Similarly, this was the time when people discovered to use the fire, through the use
of stone, for their protection against cold temperature and to cook their own food.

Human beings in this time were grouped together in small societies such as bands,
and subsisted by gathering plants and fishing, hunting or scavenging wild animals.
Also in this era, according to study of Dr. Jesus T. Peralta of NCCA, respect is given
to age, and individual prowess and ability are recognized. There are no leaders that
could be said to be above everybody else and whose commands are obeyed without
question. In some cases, one who is known for good decisions is consulted when a
problem arises; or well-known hunter will be asked to lead a hunting group.

Likewise, the term ―Neolithic‖ also comes from the same archaeologist and from the
Greek word ―neo‖ which means new and ―lithos‖ meaning stone or in short, the ―New
Stone Age‖ which was happened for about 10,000 B.C. In this period, the Cro Magnon
disappeared and the new people who are considered the modern man appeared.

The Neolithic Revolution is also called as the First Agricultural Revolution.

During this period, there was a wide-scale transition of many human cultures from
a lifestyle of hunting and gathering to of agriculture and settlement kind of society
which eventually led to population increase. People depend on domesticated plants
and animals. They learned to create such crafts as pottery and weaving. They
likewise developed boat as means of transportation and for fishing as well.

From being nomads during the early stage, human began to develop a sedentary
type of society of which they built-up villages and towns.

Furthermore, they were never contented of their accomplishments. They kept on

discovering things for their own convenience. So, they discovered metals, and they
gradually abandoned stone as the basic element for their instrument and tools.

This period was known as Age of Metals (4000 B.C – 1500 B.C). The used of metal
such as bronze, copper, and iron produced a new historical development from the
cradle civilization of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia including the India, and China
which later spread throughout Asia.

There were three stages distinguished within this Age due to the different types of
metals that were used: The Copper Age, the Bronze Age and the Iron Age; copper was
the first known metal, it is of a low hardness and it was used to make ornaments;
bronze is an alloy of copper and tin and it is harder and stronger than copper. Several
eastern Mediterranean peoples discovered this metallurgy and progressed rapidly.

During this age, agricultural tools were developed with bronze, such as plows and
sickles, military weapons like swords, spears and shields, as well as household
utensils like jars, bowls and cups. Likewise, a more developed social, cultural,
political, and economic system were improved. Tribes, empires, and state were
recognized at this point.

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EARLY CIVILIZATION and RISE of the
STATE Ancient State and Civilization

One of the earliest states and civilizations was found in the Fertile Crescent which
is known as the Mesopotamian civilization. The word Mesopotamia is a Greek word
for “Land between two rivers” which is often referred to as the cradle of civilization.
It is the region of the Western Asia located between the Tigris and Euphrates
Rivers. It is known as the Fertile Crescent where the first evidence of agriculture
was also found. Here the first human civilizations were taking the earliest steps
from hunter-gatherer society into settled community.

Moreover, it is in Mesopotamia that the history writing appeared as early as over

5,000 years ago. This invention was so important that it marks the end of the
Prehistory, and the beginning of history. One of the first writing systems, the
Cuneiform, is one of the most important civilizations in the history of
Mesopotamian culture.

Every city in Mesopotamia had its own government, rulers, warriors, patron god,
and functioned like an independent country. Mesopotamian cities were Ur, Uruk,
Kish, Lagesh. There is a temple at the center of each city called a ziggurat (a
massive, tiered, pyramid-shaped structure).

There was also what we called Mesopotamian warrior-gods (2.400-2.500 B.C.) who
govern and protect the people under its government. Military commanders eventually
became monarch creating a new structure of government called a Dynasty. It is a series
of rulers descending from a single-family line. The Akkadian Empire lasted about 200
years. In the year 2350–2150 B.C, Babylonian Empire overtook Sumerians around
2000 B.C., and they built capital, the Babylon, on Euphrates River.

Another ancient states and civilizations was the Egyptian civilization. It emerged more
than 5,000 years ago along the River Nile in the north-east of Africa. The Ancient
Egyptians lived near the River Nile because of its fertile land suitable for growing crops
and domestication of animals. Each year, water from the Nile rose and flooded the area.
When the water went back, it left mud that made the fields fertile.

Egyptians called their king a pharaoh. The pharaoh was all- powerful: He passed
laws, He ruled the country, He owned most of the land, and He controlled trade
and led the armies. Egyptians believed that the pharaohs were gods.

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Modern State and Civilization

In the European continent, several states and civilization grew tremendously over
centuries. In England, around 1500s, most of the people lived in small villages.
They paid tithes to their feudal landlords. Henry VII won the War of the Roses in
England, which led into what is known as the Tudor dynasty, and begun the
development of the English nation-state.

In Spain in the year 1492, Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella took Spain
back from the Muslim. It became the era of Spain as a global power.

In France, Louis XIV of France created an absolute monarchy. France became the
dominant power in Europe. When The French Revolution broke out, it created the
modern French nation-state, which sparked nationalism around Europe.

In 1914, when various nation-states started to claim their power and superiority
over all the nations in the world, the World War I begun until 1918. In 1919, Treaty
of Versailles ended the World War I. It divided several multinational empires that
led to the creation of several new nation-states.

In 1939, the World War II started until 1945. The end of World War II led to the
formation of United Nations in 1945.

The State of the People: Democratic State

In the recent decade after the two World Wars, people are becoming more active in
their government and state affairs, in which people become the source of political
power and government rules. This evolution in the government is known as the
process of democratization, or simply democracy – the rule of the people.

Democratization is the transition to a more democratic political regime, including

substantive political changes moving in a democratic direction. It may be the
transition from an authoritarian regime to a full democracy, a transition from an
authoritarian political system to a semi-democracy or transition from a semi-
authoritarian political system to a democratic political system. What is a democracy?

Moreover, a democracy is a form of government where the citizens of the nation

have the power to vote. There are several different types of democracies; (1) a
representative democracy is a system where citizens choose government
representatives among their citizens, (2) direct democracy is when the citizens form
a governing body and vote directly on issues, (3) constitutional democracy limits
the powers of government through the nation’s constitution.

What’s More
ARTICLE READING 101

Read the article entitled ―A Settled Life‖. Analyze how the ancient cultural and
socio-political features developed and impact our present period. Then, be able to
answer the succeeding guide questions.

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 A Settled Life
(By: Dr. Senta German)

When people think of the Neolithic era, they often think of Stonehenge, the iconic
image of this early era. Dating to approximately 3000 B.C.E. and set on Salisbury
Plain in England, it is a structure larger and more complex than anything built
before it in Europe. Stonehenge is an example of the cultural advances brought
about by the Neolithic revolution—the most important development in human
history. The way we live today, settled in homes, close to other people in towns and
cities, protected by laws, eating food grown on farms, and with leisure time to learn,
explore and invent is all a result of the Neolithic revolution, which occurred
approximately 11,500-5,000 years ago. The revolution which led to our way of life
was the development of the technology needed to plant and harvest crops and to
domesticate animals.

Before the Neolithic revolution, it's likely you would have lived with your extended
family as a nomad, never staying anywhere for more than a few months, always living
in temporary shelters, always searching for food and never owning anything you
couldn’t easily pack in a pocket or a sack. The change to the Neolithic way of life was
huge and led to many of the pleasures (lots of food, friends and a comfortable home)
that we still enjoy today.(Stonehenge, c. 3,000 B.C.E., Salisbury Plain, England)

Neolithic Art. The massive changes in the way people lived also changed the types
of art they made. Neolithic sculpture became bigger, in part, because people didn’t
have to carry it around anymore; pottery became more widespread and was used to
store food harvested from farms. This is when alcohol was first produced and when
architecture, and its vivid interior and exterior decoration, first appears. In short,
people settle down and begin to live in one place, year after year.

It seems very unlikely that Stonehenge could have been made by earlier,
Paleolithic, nomads. It would have been a waste to invest so much time and energy
building a monument in a place to which they might never return or might only
return infrequently. After all, the effort to build it was extraordinary. Stonehenge is
approximately 320 feet in circumference and the stones which compose the outer
ring weigh as much as 50 tons; the small stones, weighing as much as 6 tons, were
quarried from as far away as 450 miles. The use or meaning of Stonehenge is not
clear, but the design, planning and execution could have only been carried out by a
culture in which authority was unquestioned. Here is a culture that was able to
rally hundreds of people to perform very hard work for extended periods of time.
This is another characteristic of the Neolithic era.

Source: Dr. Senta German, A Settled Life :https://www.khanacademy.org 2020

I have analyzed…
Guide Questions: I think that…

42
 Example: Example
The Stonehenge tries to showcase that even before
What does the Stonehenge
they had already their cultural advancement, which,
is trying to tell this modern
in this modern age can further develop such as the
era?
technologies.

a. Vividly envision the

Stonehenge. Imagine
how they built it. Could
you say that early
people were physically
fit and prepared as we
are today?
b. How did ancient
humans end their
―being nomads‖?
c. Looking at the ―lens‖ of
Stonehenge, how will
you describe the kind
of sociopolitical way?
d. Why Neolithic
Revolution is is
considered as the most
important development
in human history?

What I Have Learned

Learning Task 5: To sum up what you have learned. Complete the
following phrases
3 Thoughts I have learned…
______________________________

2 Things I want to remember…

________________________________

1 Question I have in mind…

________________________________

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 Life as a Symbol…

(Draw a symbol of life): (Briefly explain how the symbol

would influence yourself to live a

better life):

____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
________________________

What I Can Do
Learning Task 6: “A Better Me in My Society”

As a millennial and a Filipino youth, how will you respond and adapt to this changing
world where people and society have indeed developed and became more advanced
than before? However, consider some circumstances that are hooked on it.

Your physical attributes

& capacity in the midst Your manner of living
of health crisis where some ways are
now unbecoming
________________________
________________________ ________________________
________________________ ________________________
________________________

Your commitment to
abide as a citizen where
some authorities are not
performing well

________________________
________________________
________________________

Learning Task 7: #I WILL SURVIVE!

Fill in the blank to complete your pledge to continue the legacies of our ancestors.

As a human being, I understand that people need to change to survive. Hence, I will try
to ___________, ___________, and ____________ to continuously grow as a student.

44
I will do my best to ______________ and ________________ all cultural properties which
I believe are part of my country’s legacy. I will also render all possible help to
__________ and ____________ our society and history as well.

Assessment
Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. During the earliest stage of human cultural evolution, people were nomadic,
so they hunt and gather foods. As they learn to make a sedentary lifestyle in
the Neolithic period. Which statement tells the accomplishment of human in
the Neolithic period?
A. Live in a cave
B. Used unpolished stone tools
C. Used metals to upgrade tools
D. Domesticate plants and animals
2. The Age of Metal produced a new historical development from the cradle
civilization of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia including the India, and China
which later on spread throughout Asia. Which type of metal were the earliest
known by human?
A. Aluminum
B. Bronze
C. Copper
D. Iron
3. There are three notable stages in the human cultural evolution. Which
statement tells the correct timeline of these evolutions?
A. Age of Metal, Neolithic Period, Paleolithic Period
B. Neolithic Period, Paleolithic Period, Age of Metal
C. Paleolithic Period, Age of Metal, Neolithic Period
D. Paleolithic Period, Neolithic Period, Age of Metal
4. From being nomads during the early stage, human began to developed a
sedentary type of society of which they built-up villages and towns. In which
era has these evolutions happens?
A. Age of Bronze
B. Age of Copper
C. Neolithic Period
D. Paleolithic Period
5. The most significant evolution in Paleolithic period is when people
discovered the use of fire. In the Neolithic period is when human learned to
domesticate plants and animals, which is known to be the First Agricultural
Revolution. In the Age of Metal is the discovery of people in using metal as
their tools, thus, the Age of Metal is identified as:
A. Agricultural Revolution
B. Metal Civilization
C. Stone Revolution
D. Rise of Civilization

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6. How were the first modern humans (Homo sapiens) different from any other
hominid species?
A. They lived outside of Africa
B. They had large brains
C. They used and controlled fire
D. They used symbolic thought
7. In the history of human social evolution, what group of people was skillful at
hunting and butchering animals?
A. Australopithecus
B. Home erectus
C. Homo habilis
D. Homo sapien
8. In the history of human civilization in which people started to develop their
society, where did the world’s first Civilization develop?
A. Mesopotamia
B. Crete
C. Egypt
D. Eastern China
9. From the different kind of government in various societies, what is a form of
government where the citizens of the nation have the power to vote?
A. Aristocracy
B. Bureaucracy
C. Democracy
D. Capitalism
10. In the context of European historical society, which of the following
DOES NOT happened during pre -1500’s?
A. Henry VII wins the War of the Roses in England, begins the Tudor
dynasty, and starts the development of the English nation-state.
B. The era of Spain as a global power begins.
C. The hundred year’s war started.
D. The French Revolution
11. In the history of war, the nations started to claim their power and
supremacy over the nations. Which treaty ends the World War I and
breaks several multi-rational empires?
A. Treaty of Saint-Germain en Laye
B. Treaty of Versailles
C. Treaty of Neuilly-sur-Seine
D. Faisal-Weizmann agreement
12. Democracy is a type of government in which the people elect their leader
in the government position. Direct democracy is the system in which...
A. Citizens choose their representatives in free and fair elections.
B. Citizens are allowed to debate with their representatives in open
public meetings.
C. Citizens represent themselves in the decision-making process.
D. Senior political leaders are known as 'Directors'.

46
13. Which statement most accurately describes how geography affected the
growth of the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Mesopotamia?
A. River valleys provided rich soil to grow plentiful crops.
B. Large deserts provided many mineral deposits.
C. Access to the Atlantic Ocean provided trade routes.
D. Lage Savannah areas provided protection from invaders.
14. Which geographic feature was common to the development of civilizations in
ancient Egypt, China, India, and Mesopotamia?
A. river valleys
B. rain forests
C. deserts
D. mountains
15. In the context of ancient civilization, which factor led to the development of
civilizations in ancient Mesopotamia?
A. political harmony
B. favorable geography
C. religious differences
D. universal education

Medium.com. “The Four Major Ancient Mesopotamian Civilization.‟‟

Accessed May 25, 2020. www.Medium.com
Slideshare „‟The Iceman: A Historical Inquiry.‟‟ Accessed May 25, 2020
.www.Slideshare.net
Slideshare „‟Early Civilizations‟‟Accessed May 25, 2020. www.slideshare.net

Slideshare.’’The Human Society’’ Accessed May 26,

2020.www.slideshare.net
Sparknotes. “The Rise of Nation-state.‟‟ Accessed May 26,
2020.www.sparknotes.com
World Population View.”Democracy Countries 2020.‟‟ Accessed May 26,
2020. www.woldpopulationview.com

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