Culture refers to a people’s way of life – including how they meet their needs, and their language, literature, music, art, food, leisure activities, religion, beliefs, customs, institutions, and technology. Customs – things people usually do, such as how they dress, foods they eat, and how they celebrate holidays and turning points in life (birth, coming-of-age, marriage, parenthood, death).

Culture also includes institutions – organizations developed by each society to make social roles clear and to take care of social needs. Such institutions include: Ethnic Groups – made up of people with a common language, history, and place of origin. Families Families arrange for reproduction, the care of family members, and the upbringing of the young. Schools Schools teach the young the values of society and prepare them for the responsibilities of adulthood. Governments Governments protect us from outsiders, promote social cooperation, and regulate individual behavior.

Cultural Change Cultural Convergence – when parts of one culture come in contact with those of another – Diffusion- a cultural element is transmitted from one culture to another Cultural Divergence – restriction of a culture from outside cultural influences

How does culture affect lifestyles in different regions of the world? A region has its own characteristics that set it apart from other regions. Regions can be based on either physical or human characteristics. – North America: United States and Canada – Central and South America: Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, Cuba – Europe: Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Poland – Sub-Saharan Africa: Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa – Middle East: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Ethiopia, – Asia: China, Japan, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines

Push/Pull Factors Migration happens because of push/pull factors Push factors: factors that make people leave their country (pushes them out) – Example: lack of jobs, political unrest Pull factors: factors that draw people to another country (pulls them in) – Examples: Jobs, Freedoms

The Silk Road The Silk Road was an Early trade route between China and the West. REMEMBER: Before air travel and television/internet, ideas spread along trade routes.

1000’s AD The Crusades were a series of brutal religious wars to win Palestine. Christians wanted to “free” the birthplace of Christ from Muslim rule. Europeans did not win permanent control of Palestine, but did develop new trade routes in the eastern Mediterranean.

Traditional Economies Remember traditional economies rely on subsistence agriculture and cottage industries. Ex: Aborigine groups in Australia.

Many elements in American culture are exported to countries whose religious beliefs are violated by the images/words being exported (Barbie dolls, for example)

1917 – Balfour Declaration – Britain expresses support for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

11/29/1947 – UN Resolution 181 states that there will be two separate countries in Palestine. Jerusalem would remain an independent city under UN control. Jews say YES! Arabs say NO! Arabs outnumber Jews 2 – 1, but get less land. Jews in Arab land and Arabs in Jewish land move.

5/14/1948 Israel declares independence. 780,000 Arabs are displaced. 5/15/1948 – Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia attack Israel. Israel wins and gains Galilee and the West Bank. Some Palestinian land is claimed by Egypt and Jordan.

Genocide is the systematic extermination of a group of people on the basis of their ethnicity, religion, or other defining characteristic.

What is multicultural? Give examples of multicultural elements you see in Texas. Give examples of multicultural elements you see in the United States.