What IS America?

Culture: The way of life of a group of people who share similar beliefs and customs. Culture group – a group of people whose ethnicity, religion, education, or social group share a body of customs, beliefs, social forms, and material traits. Simply put: What makes a group of people the same. Culture trait – A single element of normal practice in a culture is a culture trait. For example, wearing a turban is a culture trait of some members of Muslim society. The tools used to eat (a fork or chopsticks) are a culture trait. Some culture traits are shared by different cultures.

Breakdown of Cultural Traits Cultural traits that unify a cultural region Religion Music Family Structure Food preferences Language Educational System ArtRules and Government Celebrations

Multicultural – places or regions that include many different cultures. Demographics – statistical study of human populations (size, distribution). America is the “Great Melting Pot.” Our culture is a blend of many cultures.

National Identity – regardless of ethnicity, people share common core values, rights, and civic responsibilities that define them as a country/nation. Diversity – being composed of differing elements Culture region – a portion of Earth’s surface that shares common cultural elements; an area within which a particular culture system prevails. A culture region is marked by characteristics of a culture.