Good Morning, GO! February 18th Now: What is your culture? Later: Society and Cultural Identity Homework: None

What is your culture?

Society, Culture, and Cultural Identity

Society A society is a large social grouping that: shares the same geographical territory is subject to the same political authority is subject to the same dominant cultural expectations. A society produces a culture.

What comes to mind when you think of culture? elements of culture cultural groups cusine - Sauerbraten Germans

Cultural Identity

Cultural identity The definition of groups or individuals (by themselves or others) in terms of cultural or subcultural categories (including ethnicity, nationality, language, religion, and gender). In stereotyping, this is framed in terms of difference or otherness.  (Oxford Word Reference) How does this differ from the general idea of “culture?” What may one use to identify their culture?

Cultural identifiers Ability Age Ethnicity Gender Race Religion Sexual Orientation Socioeconomic Status (Class) Educational Background Family of Origin Geographic Background Language

Cori I was born in Korea to a Korean mother and father. I was adopted as an infant by Americans; my adoptive mother’s ethnicity is Portuguese, my father’s is Welsh. I speak fluent English and Portuguese. I was raised in a diverse community outside Washington, DC, where I have always socialized with students from various backgrounds but my closest friends have always been Hispanic. (Source:ADL)

• Is it possible for someone to belong to several cultural groups • Is it possible for someone to belong to several cultural groups? Give some examples. • Do you have to be born into a cultural group to understand the culture? Explain. • How is cultural identity taught to people (e.g., family celebrations)? • Is cultural identity “fixed”? If change is possible, what might cause a change?

Good Morning, GO! February 19th Now: What is culture? Later: Material vs. Non-Material Culture Homework: None

What is culture?

Culture is… Culture is often defined as “the shared products of human groups.” Material culture Physical objects (books, clothing, utensils, etc.) Nonmaterial culture Abstract human creations (beliefs, language, ideas, etc.)

Terms to know: Beliefs Conceptions that people accept as true concerning how the world operates and the place of the individual in relationship to others. Values General, shared conceptions of what is good, right, desirable, or important. Seeing Sociology: An Introduction  By Joan Ferrante

Terms to know: Norms written and unwritten rules that specify behaviors appropriate and inappropriate to a particular situation. Folkways Norms that apply to the mundane aspects or details of daily life. Mores Fixed and morally binding customs of a group More serious than folkways – often governed by law

Belief, Value, Folkway or More?: Answering the phone with “hello”. Everyone has the right to freedom. Facing the door in an elevator. Freedom. Prohibition of Murder Good Grades. Patriotism. Saying “bless you” when someone sneezes. Stopping at a red light. FOLKWAY BELIEF FOLKWAY VALUE MORE Seeing Sociology: An Introduction  By Joan Ferrante VALUE VALUE FOLKWAY MORE

What has she done to identify herself? How has she done it? Why has she made these choices?

Du bist daran… Choose a celebrity and think about how they represent themselves. Answer the “what, how, and why” of how they represent their cultural groups. Feel free to use your device to look up representational images!

Think of a high school football game Think of a high school football game. What cultural choices does a “fan” make and what are their motivations? EXIT TICKET

Góðan daginn, GO! 22. February Now: Review the cultural motivations behind a high school football fan! Think what do they do to identify themselves (material) Why? What values are they demonstrating? (non-material) Later: Hofstede’s cultural model Homework: Compare a country’s score to the USA

Think of a high school football game Think of a high school football game. What cultural choices does a “fan” make and what are their motivations? FOCUS

The culture of a football game

The Model of National Culture: Geert Hofstede “The model of national culture consists of six dimensions [which] represent independent preferences for one state of affairs over another that distinguish countries from each other.” (geert-Hofstede.com) Power Distance Index Individualism v. Collectivism Masculinity v. Femininity Uncertainty Avoidance Index Long Term Orientation vs. Short Term Orientation Indulgence v. Restraint

With your group: You will receive one of the 6 dimensions of culture (Hofstede) On a small poster you need to: Define the dimension of culture in your own words (as if explaining it to a younger sibling) Give an example of the dimension that makes it more concrete to your peers. Find an example of a country that demonstrates a high level of your dimension and tell us why. Find an example of a country that demonstrates a low level of your dimension and tell us why.

Good morning, GO! 23. February Now: Take about 5 minutes with your group to finish presentations! Later: Hofstede’s cultural model Homework: How Language Affects the Way We Think – Reading Guide

Power Distance Index The Power Distance Index focuses on the distribution of power in a community and the acceptance of that distribution by the group with the least power.

Individualism v. Collectivism How care is given to all members of a society. Cultures that value individualism feel the need to only care for themselves and/or their immediate family. Cultures that value collectivism expect all members of the group or extended family to care for one another

Masculinity v. Femininity Focuses on the values or traits that are most highly regarded Masculine traits of achievement, heroism, assertiveness Feminine traits of cooperation, modesty, are caring for the weak

Uncertainty index Focuses on how a society deals with the unknown of the future. Should a culture try to control the future and to what degree does it try to control it.

Long Term v. Short Term Orientation Long Term Oriented societies or cultures avoid change and prefer to maintain time honored traditions or norms. Short Term Oriented societies encourage modern advances to prepare for the future.

Indulgence v. Restraint Societies that value indulgence focus on entertainments, having fun, and enjoying life. Societies that value restraint suppress gratification by setting strict social norms.

Hofstede’s Model and Business

What is language?

How languages affect the way we think! Describe one way that the author described languages affecting behavior. In the section on “Blame and English Speakers,” how does linguistic choices reflect on our non-material culture? What is a language trait in English that reflects accurately on American society?

How do you define culture? From your own experience, and expose to other ideas about culture. How would you define culture for the use of this course? Write a reflection in your journal about how you personally would define culture and give examples. - At least ¾ of a page and cite examples or definitions we have learned in class. - 10 pts.