MOVIE MARATHON: Two (2) movies have been lined up for viewing to reinforce the lecture on society and

culture: Ded na si lolo, and Departures. You have the choice to submit a reflection paper (on an OPTIONAL basis), addressing a set of questions to guide you with the writing. Note however that papers written in a Question-Answer format will have POINTS DEDUCTION.

INSTRUCTIONS: For the reflection paper, you are to pair with a classmate or to form a group of not more than 3 members. After viewing the films, discuss with your partner or group members how each film illustrates culture as a social force. With the inputs (lecture) given on society and culture, explain the power of culture in terms of controlling/influencing the behavior of individuals and the collective. Address the guide questions by incorporating your ideas in your discussion. NO SUMMARIZING OF THE FILMS.

GUIDE QUESTIONS: 1. What realizations did you have after watching the films? What insights can be drawn from the 2 films, and how do you relate these to the lectures given in class? 2. How powerful is culture as a social force, in terms of controlling/influencing the behavior of individuals and the collective? 3. What power do individuals have in either shaping back or resisting culture? 4. From your experience, how can sociology help you make sense of culture? What can sociology do to help you understand your culture/society better? 5. How important is it for an individual to understand culture?

Activity output: 2-page Reflection paper, 1.5 line spacing, Cambria font 11. Due: Feb. 28 (TH) TTH schedule Mar. 4 (M) MW schedule

Ennah Christel M. Baes Angelika Kristina S. Montejo Kerrigan James Maulit (title) Every society or group of people practices a common culture. The culture that is practiced and observed in one place may differ on the culture on the other place. The two films show the different cultures practiced in Japan and Philippines, specifically the practices and rituals in associating the dead person. Both of the films successfully presented the culture practiced in different societies. It may differ from one another but it has the same bottom line the unconditional love and care to the departed. There is a show of respect and unwavering love even though they arent anymore there to feel it. There is still a continuous feel of being a family. The two films center the different beliefs and practices of the society. First, one of the movies presented the distinctive characteristics of the Filipinos - the close family ties among them and the practice of various superstitious beliefs. Filipinos care so much to their family and in case of the death of a member, they give them the best that they can in order to serve the departed in the best ways. The practice of the superstitious beliefs was greatly seen in the film. This shows the perfections and deficiencies of the Filipinos towards such event. Mostly of the Filipinos until now still practice these. They believe on these things even if there is no proof that these are true. It remains in the blood of the people and cannot be removed easily. These are passed to the succeeding generations which make the culture even more alive. These show how we respect and give our greatest love for our families. This is who we are, flaws and all. On the other hand, Japanese (****lagay mo yung sayo dito**** ) ) These cultures are being shaped whenever the people are practicing them. These hold the people in a society together and bind them in their way of living. The people attach values to these which make the cultures more stable. Once the culture is acquired, it become more difficult to change, for it became part of their lives. Our lives our defined by how we live it with defects and all. May it be superstitious or not, we are what we do. We cannot call ourselves a part of a whole if we share nothing in common. These things bind us. It binds us to be one and to be people of a society sharing a common culture. It is a common culture that grounds us to the roots.

Understanding the culture of ones society will facilitate understanding of the life they have. Interaction among people is needed in order for culture to be understood for in interaction we feel and for when we feel, we will know. Cultural relativism, viewing from the perspective of the people who own them, is important to appreciate the different cultures of the world.

(**padagdag pa at paedit na rin kung may mali**)