MODULE 2: Art and Society
Duration: 2 Weeks
Grade Level: Senior High School (or introductory college level)
Course: Contemporary Arts from the Regions
Module Overview:
This module examines the relationship between art and society, exploring the different functions
of art, its role in shaping national and regional identity, and the distinctions between cultural
appropriation and cultural appreciation.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this module, students will be able to:
Identify and explain the various functions of art.
Analyze how art reflects and contributes to national and regional identity.
Distinguish between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation.
Reflect on their own cultural practices and expressions in the context of contemporary
art.
Key Concepts:
Functions of Art: Personal (expressive), social (advocacy, communication), physical
(craft, design), and cultural (rituals, traditions).
National Identity: Shared values, culture, and heritage that unify a nation.
Regional Identity: Distinct cultural elements that define a specific locality or ethnic
group.
Cultural Appropriation: The unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of elements of
one culture by members of another, often dominant, culture.
Cultural Appreciation: Respectful engagement with and celebration of another culture,
with proper understanding and context.
Lesson Breakdown:
Lesson 1: The Functions of Art
Discussion Topics:
o Why do people create art?
o Functions: expressive, communicative, commemorative, utilitarian, political
Examples:
o Murals in public protests
o Religious altars and tribal tattoos
Activity: Students bring or draw an example of art and describe its function.
Output: Short presentation or gallery walk of collected artwork.
Lesson 2: Art, National, and Regional Identity
Lecture Points:
o Art as a mirror of national values (e.g., Philippine flags in murals)
o Local identity in regional art (e.g., T'nalak of T'boli, Pahiyas Festival decor)
Activity: Compare artworks from two regions and identify elements that reflect regional
identity.
Output: Poster or digital collage representing regional identity using symbols, colors,
and styles.
Lesson 3: Cultural Appropriation vs. Appreciation
Discussion Topics:
o When does borrowing culture become problematic?
o Examples: Indigenous headdresses in fashion, using tribal motifs in commercial
products
Group Debate:
o Divide into two groups: one defends an act as appreciation, the other critiques it
as appropriation.
Guiding Questions:
o Was credit given to the source culture?
o Was the cultural element used respectfully?
o Did the act benefit or exploit the culture?
Assessment Tasks:
Point
Task Description
s
“What Is the Function of This Art?” Visual + 3- 10
Mini-Poster
sentence explanation pts
Regional Identity Image-based representation with reflection 15
Collage paragraph pts
15
Group Debate Argument clarity, respectfulness, and participation
pts
“Cultural Appropriation vs. Appreciation: What I’ve 20
Reflection Essay
Learned” (300–500 words) pts
Participation Discussions and creative activities 10
Point
Task Description
s
pts
Materials Needed:
Projector and media player for examples
Art materials (paper, coloring tools) or access to digital collage tools
Reference images from local artists or festivals
Rubric for evaluating poster and debate
Suggested Resources:
NCCA publications on regional arts
TED Talk: “The Danger of a Single Story” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Articles on cultural appropriation from Rappler, Inquirer, etc.
Documentary: Himala Ngayon or Mga Likhang Bayan
