Culture

Culture Culture – All things that make up a peoples’ way of life. We inherit culture from our parents and society

Where did the first culture come from?

Cultural Hearths The “heartlands” of major cultural groups. In the beginning… The Middle East Mesoamerica (Central America) West Africa

Cultural Hearths Today Major cities serve as today’s cultural hearths. New York City Tokyo London Paris…

Map Activity Sketch a map of the World… create cultural regions and label them with a word or phrase that represents the cultural elements we see there. Example: Labeling the area around Australia with the phrase “Boomerang factories”

Cultural Norms Norms are the agreed‐upon expectations and rules by which a culture guides the behavior of its members in any given situation. These vary widely across cultural groups.

Examples of Norms Body Language Greetings In our culture eye contact is seen as respectful In parts of Africa you only give eye contact to someone who is your equal. It is common for a visitor to avert their eyes while talking. Greetings In the U.S smiling is appropriate when meeting strangers. It shows we are polite. In Russia it could be interpreted that you are mocking them are laughing at them.

Examples of Norms Social Behavior In the U.S it is the norm to sit quietly in a movie theatre or during a public performance. In Africa (seen also in African American communities) it is common to shout and make loud comments about the film.

It is important to understand other cultures before we judge them based on our own cultural norms.

Simulation

5 Elements of Culture

5 Elements of Culture The elements of culture are… Customs & traditions Language Arts and literature Religion Social organization

Customs and Traditions 1. A Cultures rules for behavior. Ex: Holidays, clothing, Marriage, etc. Graduation, Prom, Skip days

Los elementos de la cultura 2. Idioma El idioma es la piedra angular de la cultura. Sin el idioma, usted no podría comunicar la Cultura no podría ser pasada de la generación a la generación Usted puede tener muchos tipos diferentes del idioma

Language Language is the cornerstone of culture Without language, you could not communicate You can have many different types of language… name a few.

Arts and Literature This can strengthen a culture’s identity – can make people feel proud Includes art, music, books, etc. Many different forms in a single society

Religion Religion answers questions about life It can lead to conflict between people Monotheism – Belief in one God Polytheism – Belief in more than one god Can Science take the place of religion?

Social organization This is how the people of an area organize itself to help its people meet its basic needs. In all cultures, family is the most important. What are some other forms of social organization in your life?

How is the United States “organized”?

Social Organization Nuclear families – include a wife, husband, and children. (Industrial societies) Extended families – several generations living together. (Farming societies)

(Customs & Traditions, Art, Language, Religion, Social Organization.) Where we live… Silently to write out 2 examples of each element of culture from where we live. (Customs & Traditions, Art, Language, Religion, Social Organization.) When you have your list find someone to compare with. Who had the better examples? Was there any confusion?

Why does culture change?

What causes culture to change? 1. Technology Has been a major source of change over time Started with stone tools and continues with computers

How have the following technological changes affected our culture? Media Antenna to Cable or Satellite Video stores to Netflix Communication Letters to Email Morse Code to Cellular devices Music Records to MP3 technology

Why culture changes cont… 2. Changing environment As the environment changes, we adapt 3. New ideas The way we think about our culture will lead to change Example: The Protestant Reformation 4. Contact between societies

Globalization Read the article and answer the questions provided. Place in the mesh when finished.

Societies collide Diffusion – The movement of things and ideas from one culture to another. Example: McDonalds being built in other parts of the World. This has not replaced their culture, but now they have the option.

Societies Collide Acculturation – this happens when one culture replaces another on a larger scale. Example: Think of the Native Americans. They were forced to acculturate to the European norms. Aside from a few reservations, the Native American culture is gone.

Societies Collide… Transculturation – When one individual changes their culture to match another. Immigrants that choose to learn the new culture to help them blend in. Video Clip

Why is it important to understand other cultures? Understanding other cultures could help to resolve century old conflict Helps to enrich our own experience The sharing of our ideas could lead to better developed societies in the future.

Ethnocentrism Judging other cultures by the standards of one’s own culture People say negative things about people they view as different