Culture Culture- the sum of what a human group acquires through living together, including language, knowledge, skills, art, literature, law, customs, and life styles. 2 categories of culture 1. material culture- physical objects that people make 2. nonmaterial culture- the ideas of a society Cultural diffusion- spread of certain parts of culture from one area of the world to another Acculturation- the process by which a person (s) from one culture adopts traits of another culture

Language Language- necessary for communication 3,000 different languages global languages- spoken by millions of people local languages- spoken by relatively small numbers of people dialect- changes in speech related to class, region, or culture

Religion Religion- set of beliefs in a supreme being or beings sets a model of human behavior answers questions of ... why are we here; how we got here; what happens after death affects daily life & laws in many countries 5 “traditional” major religions Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, *Sikhism has replaced Judaism as 5th largest

ABCs of Culture Culture is learned behavior. Culture is powerful. Culture shapes who you are. History and Geography shapes culture. Cultures are the same. Cultures are different. Culture spreads from country to country. Culture changes.

ART What art forms are typical of the culture? (crafts, paintings, drama, music, dance, etc)

B BUILDINGS Which buildings, monuments, structures, and types of homes symbolize this culture?

COMMUNICATION How do people communicate with each other? How is information spread?

What clothing is typical of the culture? D What clothing is typical of the culture? DRESS

ECONOMY Who owns the farms and factories? Are they high tech, low tech, or no tech? ECONOMY

FAMILY What does the typical family look like? What is the role of women and children?

How is the average citizen connected to the government? Who has the power? How is the average citizen connected to the government?

HISTORY What experiences have shaped the culture? (feudalism, colonialism, war, revolution, famine)

I ICON What images (religious or secular) cause an immediate response in every person?

How does the average person (or family) make a living? J JOBS How does the average person (or family) make a living?

How is knowledge passed from one generation to the next?

What words and expressions have a special meaning? Language What words and expressions have a special meaning? Bling bling Been there, done that United We Stand Emoticon God Bless America That’s tight!

MOVEMENT & MIGRATION How does the average person get around? To where are people moving?

N NATIONAL PRIDE What people, places, and things spark feelings of loyalty and patriotism?

O ORGANIZATIONS What are the most important organizations (formal and informal) in the society?

What are the largest groups- age, race, ethnic, religion, language)? POPULATION What are the largest groups- age, race, ethnic, religion, language)? Who is in the minority?

QUALITY OF LIFE Rate the average person’s health and happiness. (medical care, life expectancy, security, and opportunity)

RELIGION What beliefs and values do people hold? What are the traditional holidays, festivals, and ceremonies?

S STATUS What classes, castes, professions, and groups (racial, ethnic, religious, cultural) have high and low status?

Taboos What behaviors are considered to be totally unacceptable? In many Asian and Middle Eastern nations, you only eat or take items in your right hand. Talking loudly in a library. Multiple wives are common in Africa. Some cultures eat bugs and insects as part of their regular diet.

URBAN or RURAL Do most people live in the city or the countryside? What does the typical community look like?

How do people in the culture have fun? VACATION & RECREATION How do people in the culture have fun?

How do people take care of …cooking, washing clothes, shopping, etc? WAYS OF EVERYDAY LIFE How do people take care of …cooking, washing clothes, shopping, etc?

How does geography shape the culture? X X MARKS THE SPOT How does geography shape the culture?

YUM What foods were invented here? What do people eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?

Stuff that is typical of a culture. Z Ztuff Stuff that is typical of a culture.