Syllabus:
An overview of the multicultural and hybrid nature of societies and cultures
Persons are the individuals who make up a society. There are a whole range of factors that provide an individual with a unique identity, from aspects of our personality to physical attributes and traits. Our personal experience is then further shaped by the way we communicate and build relationships with other individuals and groups, while we also have the capacity to influence other individuals and groups.
Society refers to the patterns, organisation and relationships within and between people, groups, networks, institutions, systems and organisations.
Culture is dynamic, which means it shifts and evolves. This allows us to consider the impact of change over time on cultural knowledge, attitudes and behaviour.
Every society exists within a physical setting (Environment). This, combined with the cultural attitudes and values people have, will significantly affect interactions within and between fundamental concepts.
The arrow on the fundamental concepts diagram highlights the importance in Society and Culture of viewing time across the past, present and future. Studying time in relation to continuities (what has stayed the same) and change (differences) allows us to recognise the influence of past events, which then shapes our perception of the past.
Look at the following images from 2023 from around the world, let's discuss how they relate to our fundamental course concepts.
Syllabus:
Persons and their interactions with individuals, groups and the community within the contexts of micro-level, meso-level and macro-level society
Read through the following defintions and examples of Micro, Meso and Macro societies before completing the handout.
Source: Thompson, K. et al. (2021) Nelson Society and Culture. South Melbourne, Victoria: Cengage Learning Australia.
Source: Thompson, K. et al. (2021) Nelson Society and Culture. South Melbourne, Victoria: Cengage Learning Australia.
Draw the following diagram in your exercise and fill out the micro, meso and macro interactions you have in your life.
Answer the following in your exercise books:
1. What does identity determine? (4 dot points)
2. Does the nationaility of someone change how you see them?
3. Is Florencia Chilean or Columbian? Why?
4. How is your own identity constructed?
5. Why is identity about unlimited options and change?
6. Do you think identity is more like a sports team or school group project? Why?
7. What does "receive, accept, express, repeat" mean?
8. How is your identity shaped by how others see you?
Click through and complete the quiz, download your results and upload them to Google Classroom when complete.
Answer the following questions in your exercise books:
Persons
1 Describe the roles and status of each of the following characters in this Simpsons episode.
a) Bart
b) Marge and Homer
c) Ms Krabappel
d) Martin
e) Otto
Society
2 What are the different social groups Bart interacts with each day and what are the factors that make him a member of the groups?
Culture
3 What culture is the Simpsons parodying?
4 What evidence is there to suggest that this the culture in which it is set?
5 What are some core values and beliefs that are portrayed in the Simpsons family?
Environment
6 Describe the area where the Simpsons live.
7 What if the Simpsons were set in a rural area, would the characters interactions and personalities be any different? Why/Why not?
Time
8 This episode first aired in 1990. Have many things changed in 30 years of education?
Power
9 How does Martin’s personality change? Why would he allow this to occur?
Authority
10 Why is Ms Krabappel able to keep Bart in the 4th grade even though Bart does not want this to occur?
11 Who are some other people who are allowed to make decisions on Bart’s behalf?
Gender
12 What role does Marge play in the Simpsons household?
13 What role does Homer play in the Simpsons household?
14 What gender is often perceived as mischievous in the Simpsons?
15 What gender is portrayed as responsible?
Technologies
16 List some technologies that have influenced the work and leisure of the Simpsons family.
Activity
Your Task:
One of the most important things in Society and Culture is knowing yourself and understanding who you are, and how you became that person.
Your first task in Society and Culture is to write a letter to me introducing yourself as an individual.
Every one of you is unique so tell me a bit about yourself-what you like, or dislike, what your family is like, what type of music or movies you like, what kind of person you are. Think about how other people might describe you and also how you describe yourself.
The letter should be no more than 400 words in length. You should include photographs or images (appropriate ones -could be sketches or images if you are artistic) if you wish to show me some of the things you are describing.
Concepts that should be in your response:
Persons, society, culture, environment, time, identity, gender, family,
Marking Rubric:
You will be assessed on your ability to:
• Identify and apply social and cultural concepts
• Use appropriate course language and concepts suitable for your audience
• Communicate information, ideas and issues in the form of a letter including written text and images.
Syllabus:
Society as a construct that develops through time:
Society is comprised of the interactions of its members at the micro, meso and macro levels
Society influences the ways its members interact
How interactions between members of society cause change in the nature of society over time
In your exercise books:
Define what a social construct is.
In your exercise books:
What is Social Change?
Brainstorm examples of social changes.
In your exercise books:
What is a social norm?
Brainstorm a list of social norms.
How have changing social interactions altered society in the age of Covid?
We'll watch the following clip from Chimamanda Adichie and work through the following questions:
Activity:
Show me what you know in the following Kahoot.
Syllabus:
• how individual behaviour towards others is socially constructed and influenced by social expectation
One week ago was Valentine's Day. Today I want you to examine the social constructs of marriage and romantic love relating to Valentine’s Day.
Complete the following in your exercise book:
Choose one of the following symbols of love:
Red Rose
Cupid
Ring
Heart
Sketch the symbol in your book.
Annotate around your sketch what your symbol represents.
Choose another culture from around the world - with this culture, explain their marriage and relationship norms, traditions and customs. (This should be at least four sentences.)
Watch the following episode of Parks and Rec:
6. Read the following article on the significance of Galentine's Day.
7. Reflect on where YOU will be in 10 years - what are your expectations in terms of relationships and marriage? Why do you have these expectations?
8. How are our behaviours shaped on marriage, dating and romantic love by social expectations. (Paragraph response - FOUR sentences.)
•the following groups and institutions of society – how they shape and are shaped by individuals:
-family -school -peers -work
-government -media -Legal system
In your exercise books:
What is a social institution?
What is their role in society?
While viewing think about the many different configurations of "family" in this episode. What does that tell us about modern families?
Read the following article and answer the following in your exercise book:
Write a paragraph explaining the benefits of family for individuals and society.
Read the following article and answer the following:
How does Modern Family reflect the reality of modern families? Think about technology, complexity of relationships, different structures
Write a short paragraph outlining what a modern family consists of.
After watching the Scrubs episode, 'His Story', answer the following questions in your exercise book:
What are some stereotypes of doctors exhibited in the episode?
What are some stereotypes of nurses exhibited in the episode?
Why is it so problematic for Dr. Elliot Reid that Paul is a nurse?
Explain the difference in status between doctors and nurses.
Explain the power dynamics between all the roles in the episode. (Doctors, Nurses, Janitor, Hospitality worker)
What is the role of laws and government with regards to social issues?
Select a contemporary social issue and use ICT to investigate the relevant laws and government actions.
An example of how you could set out your discussion could be:
What is your chosen social issue?
What events have caused this to become a social issue?
What are individuals and the community calling for in terms of changes?
How are governments responding?/How have governments responded?
What changes are expected from government intervention?/What changes have occured because of government intervention.
Once complete, share with the person next to you.
Check GC for details.
Syllabus:
• Outline the principles and practices of ethical research that underpin all social and cultural research
Syllabus:
• Examine the process of research using the steps briefly outlined below as a guide.
1. Decide on the topic to be researched
2. Develop a focus question or hypothesis
3. Gather background information
4. Design the research
5. Develop the research methods to be used
6. Apply the research methods ethically
7. Compile and organise the collected
information so that it is manageable
8. Analyse, synthesise and interpret the findings
9. Write up the conclusions in an appropriate format, considering the audience for the final product
10. Check the final product for editing or typing mistakes and ensure that all bibliographical information is included and correct
Create a montage of images the compare your life to the Amish with regard to the following:
Clothing
School
Recreation/Leisure
Technology
Transport
Gender Roles
Authority
Upload your completed image to GC.