Social and Cultural Continuity and Change
Related core study concepts
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Continuity |
Change |
Modernisation
A process of dynamic social change resulting from the diffusion and adoption of the characteristics of apparently more advanced societies by other societies that are apparently less advanced. It involves social transformation whereby the society becomes technologically advanced and updates cultural life.
Syllabus p.55
Sustainability
The required development to meet current human needs, whether economic, social or environmental, without jeopardising the needs of future generations or the health of the planet for all species depending on it for their existence. Sustainability implies deliberate, responsible and proactive decision-making from the local to the global level about a more equitable distribution of resources and the minimisation of negative impacts of humans on the planet.
Syllabus p.59
Tradition
The body of cultural practices and beliefs that are passed down from generation to generation, often by word of mouth and behavioural modelling, that are integral to the socialisation process and that represent stability and continuity of the society or culture.
Syllabus p.59
Beliefs |
Values |
Empowerment
A social process that gives power or authority to people at a micro level, to groups at a meso level, and to institutions at a macro level, allowing them to think, behave, take action, control and make decisions.
Syllabus p.53
Westernisation
A social process where the values, customs and practices of Western industrial capitalism are adopted to form the basis of cultural change.
Syllabus p.59
Cooperation |
Conflict |
The nature of social and cultural continuity and change
Students develop knowledge and understanding of social and cultural continuity and change by examining:
• the nature of continuity and change:
− change is a complex process
− ‘evolutionary’ change
− ‘transformative’ change
− resistance to change
• the influence that continuity and change have on the development of society at the micro, meso and macro levels
• the impact of modernisation and westernisation on social and cultural continuity and change
• theories of social change as attempts to explain change, and resistance to change, within societies and cultures in relation to:
− structural changes within society
− the processes and agents of social change
− the directions of change
• key features of each of the following theories:
− conflict
− evolutionary
− functionalist
− interactionist.
• the nature of continuity and change:
− change is a complex process
− ‘evolutionary’ change
− ‘transformative’ change
− resistance to change
• the influence that continuity and change have on the development of society at the micro, meso and macro levels
• the impact of modernisation and westernisation on social and cultural continuity and change
• theories of social change as attempts to explain change, and resistance to change, within societies and cultures in relation to:
− structural changes within society
− the processes and agents of social change
− the directions of change
• key features of each of the following theories:
− conflict
− evolutionary
− functionalist
− interactionist.
Understanding the nature of social and cultural continuity and change (Keith Smith for SCA Culturescope)
10 songs for social change from Amnesty (thanks to Emma Davidge of SACNSW for sharing this link)
Occupy Wall Street
Focus study
Social and Cultural Continuity and Change in Vietnam
Students will study in detail a country in order to:
The near future (5 to 10 years)
Students are to:
− probable continuities
- determine the nature of traditional society and culture
- analyse the nature of power and authority
- examine the impact of continuity and change upon the lives of individuals and groups in the micro, meso and macro levels of society.
- beliefs, values and lifestyles
- education
- family life and population changes
- gender roles and the status of men and women
- the legal system and political processes.
- Is all change necessarily progress?
- Which groups benefit from change? Which do not?
- How has access to technologies impacted on the rate and direction of change?
- conflict
- evolutionary
- functionalist
- interactionist.
The near future (5 to 10 years)
Students are to:
- determine current trends and suggest probable future directions for the aspect of the country studied in the focus study
- evaluate the impact and implications for the aspect of the country studied of:
− probable continuities
- predict the importance of technologies to the country studied.
Traditional society and culture in Vietnam
- Culture of Vietnam (Vietnam Embassy in London)
- Vietnamese Culture
Family life and population changes in Vietnam
- Change in the Vietnamese Family (Peter Dean - SCA)
- Extended reading: Filial Piety and the Implementation of Taking Care of Elderly People in Vietnamese Families at Present Time, Dr. Nguyen Thi Tho and Nguyen Thanh Binh, Journal of Educational and Social Research Vol. 2 (3) September 2012
Social theory
Functionalism and Vietnam (Jodi Arrow - SCA)