Preliminary Examination in World Culture

Answer the following: Support your answers with theories, principles and examples.
Culture as defined as "that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals,
custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society?"
1. Most other cultures are backward compared with my culture/my culture is
backward compared with most other cultures.
- Most other cultures are backward compared with my culture because I was not only
raised in a single culture to begin with thereby exposing myself to have a grasp of
what different cultures look like and having experienced these cultures I was able to
pick which suits best in a given society at stake. Being exposed to different cultures is
an advantage for an individual because you will be able to strengthen your values and
beliefs.
2. Cultural Geography: as the study of human cultures in relationship to their
location or environment.
- Cultural Geography is a sub-field within human geography wherein it studies the
cultural products, behavior, norms and their variations across and relations to spaces
and places. In other terms, cultural geography itself is focused on the analysis and
description on ways of how aspects differ from one place to another and with how
human beings function as to language, religion, economy, government and other
cultural activities over time.
3. Explain holistic approach in anthropology.
- A holistic approach means that individuals are interested in engaging and developing
the totality of a person such as physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. The concept
behind this is that as human beings, we are created in a multi-dimensional way having
conscious and unconscious aspects, rational and irrational aspects.

4. When a culture loses value for its people, they may experience anomie, what is it all
about?
- Anomie is about the lack of the usual social or ethical standards in an individual or
group. Our way of living, in terms of ethical and social, is affected by the culture that
we currently have in our community, the way we make decisions and the behavior we

have acquired throughout. If ones culture loses value for its people, those people
living by that culture may deviate from what has been established in their way of
living. The mere point is that anomie will cause the breakdown of social bonds
between the individuals and the community. Example would be rejection of selfregulatory values.
5. Describe the following types of government; which of these will best fit our beloved
country, the Philippines.
a. Oligarchy is a form of government in which all power is vested only to a limited
number of persons or by the dominant class.
b. Monarchy is a form of government in which the supreme power or sovereignty is held
by a single person.
c. Dictatorship is a form of government in which absolute power without hereditary
succession is exercised by a dictator.
d. Capitalist is a type of government wherein people own their businesses and property
and must buy services for private use, such as healthcare.
e. Federalism is a system of government where powers are distributed between a central
government and regional governments.
-

In my opinion, it is best for the Philippines to be in a Federalism type of government

because the powers are distributed throughout government ladder. Also, through
Federalism, it entails creating and developing a close relationship between the
government and its people as well as enhancing democracy through increases in
democratic process participation to provide innovative and better services.

6. He who does not work, nor shall he eats!

- This statement from 2 Thessalonians 3:10 simply indicates a fact that individuals should
work for their own good without depending on the help of others. This may be true but
heartless on the other side of the coin, we should also consider the capability of people to
work for themselves; others depend solely on another because of their incapacity to work
for themselves. This is a principle of socialism towards communism.
7. When you are in Rome, do what the Romans do!
- Given that one is an alien to a specific community, he or she is exposed to a different
environment wherein it may differ to what the person has commonly been used to doing.
The phrase simply indicates that an individual who is considered a visitor in a community
should follow the customs and rules and regulations of that society to show respect and
politeness. For example, if one will be visiting the Middle East region, the person should

not bring in any pork products because it is seen as an act of potential disrespectful
situation because of their belief regarding pork.
8. Cultural relativism is the belief that each culture must be understood in terms of its
-

own values and beliefs and not by the standards of another culture.
Cultural relativism refers to the appropriate application of analysis and understanding
towards a specific culture on how they should be understood. We wont be able to
understand another culture if we are setting a benchmark as to a standard in
understanding a different society. We should not base our judgment on values and beliefs
of Society A if we are going to evaluate the culture of Society B.

9. What are the material and nonmaterial aspects of Culture.

- The material aspect of culture includes all of the physical things that people create and
attach meaning to (excluding natural objects and materials such as rock, trees, etc). For
example: clothing, food, tools, etc. The nonmaterial aspects of culture includes creations
and abstract ideas that are not embodied in physical objects, these are what we pertain to
as intangible products that were created and disseminated between members of a certain
culture. For example: social roles, rules, ethics, and beliefs.
10. If you could describe DLSU-Ds organizational culture in three words or sentences,
-

what would you say?

Faithful, depicted by the fact that it is a Roman Catholic institution strengthening the
bond of the students towards religion. Passionate and Hardworking, exemplified by the
works accomplished and achieved by everyone in the university throughout the years.
Courageous and positive outlook, manifested by the fact that DLSU-Ds organizational
culture does not simply give up on instances just because of encountering hardships and
obstacles, we intend to always be courageous and pursue all that we can and look at the
positive side of the coin despite the minimal hope that exist.

11. If you were going to give a public tour of the University, what stops would you
-

make?
Given an opportunity to provide a public tour of the University, Ill definitely ensure to
have stops at the University Chapel, University Library, The Botanical Garden University
Grand Stand, and the University Food Square.

12. If the local paper (Heraldo Filipino) were going to run a one -page article about
DLSU-Ds culture, what would be impossible not to include?

It would be impossible not to include how DLSU-Ds culture is focused on delivering the
best interest of the students in terms of academic trail and learning experiences being the
premier university in Cavite.

13. What are the most common complaints that stakeholders make about DLSU -D?
- Common complaints would include the enrolment process and the population. In terms of
enrolment process, it seems that the service isnt going as how it should be. Its been slow
and really inefficient during the past because there are a lot of people transacting in just
2-3 counters provided by the administration. In terms of population, it seems that DLSUD is experiencing a great increase in number of students depicted by the fact that the
University Food Square and the University Library are always occupied, it must be an
objective to expand certain locations in order to accommodate and provide better services
to the students.
14. If you may speak with a few veteran employees or newly hired, what will you ask
-

and why?
Given this opportunity, Id like to ask the newly hired employees regarding their first
impression about the university, their expectations as to how the culture runs within and
how its been working with DLSU-D culture compared to what the individual has been
used to.

15. What do you love best about the culture here?

- What I love the best in DLSU-D culture is that feeling of peace whenever I am walking
inside the university. The feeling of what the environment within is providing you will
change the way of how you think about providing diligent care to our surroundings and
how the organizational members interact with each other in terms of values and respect.

References:
Cultural geography (2016). . In Wikipedia. Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_geography#cite_note-1
What do you mean by a holistic approach? (2012, April 25). Retrieved September 19, 2016, from
http://www.boastl.com/content/what-do-you-mean-holistic-approach
Anomie (2016). . In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anomie
Oligarchy (2016). . In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oligarchy
Monarchy (2016). . In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarchy

Dictionary (n.d.). In . Dictionary.com. Retrieved from

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/dictatorship?s=t
Stutz, D. Types of government. Retrieved September 19, 2016, from
http://www.stutzfamily.com/mrstutz/WorldAffairs/typesofgovt.html
Saenz, S. (2014, August 28). Appendix A: Federalism - what is it and why is it important?
Retrieved September 19, 2016, from https://federation.dpmc.gov.au/appendix-federalism-whatit-and-why-it-important