CULTURES AND SOCIETIES A Quick Reference Guide

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER All societies are defined by common culture traits which are passed on to the next generation. Ex: Language, Belief Systems, and Institutions  What common traits do all cultures have?  How is culture passed from one generation to the next?  Why are cultural celebrations important to societies?  What does it mean to assimilate into a new culture?  What institutions are common to all societies?  Why do societies create institutions?

CULTURE  culture – the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular group  culture trait – a characteristic, such as language, beliefs, food, or customs that is shared by a group  culture region- a spatial area that is characterized by a population that shares common beliefs, history, language, customs, and traditions  cultural landscape – the physical qualities that reflect the culture of a particular place

THE COMMON CULTURE TRAITS  Institutions: refers to a long standing tradition, custom or practice that reflects the values of a society. All societies have governments, economic systems, educational systems, and religious institutions. Governmental institutions – refers to a society’s system for creating rules and social order Economic institutions – refers to the practices that a society employs to provide for basic needs; could include bartering, trading, agricultural practices, and money-based economic activities Educational institutions – refers to the practices a society uses to pass on cultural and societal norms from one generation to the next; could include formal as well as informal schooling Religious institutions – refers to societal practices that relate to belief systems  Language: Common written and spoken method used to communicate with others  Belief Systems: are considered an element of culture which influence cultural institutions and practices

RELATIONSHIP: WHAT DO LANGUAGE, INSTITUTIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS HAVE IN COMMON ?  New religious and philosophical ideas emerged as humans explored the nature of human existence and the nature of human relationships.  Cultures are distinguished by the religious ideas and/or philosophical ideas which have been adopted and passed on through generations.  Belief systems are considered an element of culture which influence cultural institutions and practices  Religious and philosophical ideas can influence the cultural landscape and institutions of a region such as with differences of architecture, organization of governments, and traditions among social groups.

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS I  Christmas – Christian celebration rooted in the religious belief of the birth of Jesus Christ as the universal Messiah.  Easter – Christian observance rooted in the religious belief of Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead.  Rosh Hashanah – Jewish commemoration of the New Year in the Jewish calendar, usually occurring in early autumn during the Hebrew month of Tishrei.  Yom Kippur – Jewish commemoration rooted in the religious belief of a Day of Atonement. Considered the most solemn holy day in the Jewish calendar.

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS II  Ramadan – Islamic commemoration rooted in the religious belief that the text of the Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.  The Hajj – Islamic pilgrims visit the Ka'aba and perform a variety of acts to commemorate various facets of Islamic life and history.  Diwali – Hindu commemoration rooted in the religious belief of the return of Lord Rama, along with Sita and Lakshmana, from a fourteen-year-long exile and vanquishing of the demon-king Ravana. Popularly known as the “festival of lights."  Vaisakhi – Sikh commemoration celebrating the establishment of the Sikh community in 1699.

ONE LAST THING  Monumental Architecture Wiki calls it: a type of structure that was explicitly created to commemorate a person or important event, or which has become important to a social group as a part of their remembrance of historic times or cultural heritage, or as an example of historic architecture. Berlin Egypt: Giza Greece: Parthenon

ACTIVITY  Create a culture traits illustrated dictionary. The dictionary should include entries for the following; culture, culture trait, cultural landscape, monumental architecture; institutions. Each entry should include a definition, an illustration and an example.  Standard(s): 6.15A, 6.15B, 6.16A, 6.19A, 6.19B, 6.22A, 6.22D, 6.22E ELPS.c.1E, ELPS.c.5B6.15A6.15B6.16A6.19A6.19B6.22A6.22D6.22EELPS.c.1EELPS.c.5B