More on the 5 Elements of Culture

Cultural Products the visible part of culture the first thing we see, hear, feel, taste about a culture They range from bricks to neighborhoods. from tools (shovel, hammer) to ideas (law, religion, art, education)

Elements of Cultural Products Artifacts Places Institutions Art forms

Artifacts Individual objects created, adopted, or adapted by members of the culture the “things” of a culture Some are unique (Japanese Kimonos, Scottish Kilts). Others are imported from other cultures (soccer, football, newspapers). Some may seem the same (television, pencil) but usage varies from culture to culture.

Places Physical places are cultural products Both human-made and natural Individual artifacts arranged in a certain way make places unique. Places range from your desktop to a country and so on…

Institutions Formal, organized systems that define and regulate practices of members of a culture Politics, law, economics, education, religion, family, kinship, healthcare, social welfare, mass media Complex combinations of practices and products that take place in many locations Govern and structure the activities of a culture Example: What is education? Is it a building? Is it the staff and students? Textbooks?

Art Forms Complex products that exist somewhere between products and perspectives. Think of “style” in clothing or fashion.

Homework Bring a personal possession from home with you to the next class. Guidelines Don’t bring anything extremely valuable. Bring something that has some historical significance in your life, or the lives of your family. Be prepared to explain the significance of the item. Be prepared to discuss these questions: What is it? Where do you find it? How do you use it? When? Which people use it? Which groups of people use this object? Why do people use this? What significance does this object have in your culture?