Culture

Learning Targets I can analyze culture in various locations to determine how people live in various regions.

Imagine… Imagine you met another kid your age from China Brainstorm as many potential differences as you can between you and that other kid.

Warm-Up List Accents Clothing Money Skin, eyes, hair Ethnicity and race Music Dance styles Weddings, birthdays  holidays Agriculture Experiences/perspectives Food Jewelry/body art Health care Different struggles Drugs/medicine Architecture Names Religion/beliefs Future plans Hobbies Language Sports Housing stuff Schools/knowledge Educational opportunities Transportation Pets- what are pets Weapons Art Technology/opportunities Body type Surroundings/weather Government

What is Culture? Culture- A way of life of a group of people who share traditions, interests, beliefs, and ways of making a living

What is Culture? Remember the 5 themes of geography PLACE  Human Characteristics – Ex: language they speak, holidays they celebrate, their religion, their race, etc. – These are things that describe… CULTURE

Who Has Culture? Everybody has a culture Don’t need to be from somewhere exotic, eat only ethnic food, or dress in traditional clothes to have culture You are the person you are because of cultural influences – Have helped mold you into the person you are today. – Influence the way you act, what and how you celebrate, what values you find important, etc.

A society expresses culture through language, religion, traditions, the arts, and government. People can express culture through the food they eat, the music they listen to, what they buy, etc. Aspects of Culture

You even show culture through what you choose to wear and how

Other Examples of Aspects of Culture Fireworks on the 4 th of July Cards and flowers on Valentine’s day A cake and candle on your birthday Eating certain foods at Thanksgiving

Brainstorm Other Examples for the U.S.

Wedding Dresses in the USA

Wedding Dresses Around the World

Cultural Change Can be influenced and changed by both internal and outside influences Discoveries and inventions can promote change – As technology increases, so does communication – More spread of ideas and cultural exchange

Culture Spreads & Changes Cultural diffusion- the spread of people, ideas, practices, and goods from one culture to another Initially started because of travel and trade Migration also causes – People carry their culture with them – Way of doing things becomes mixed with old

New products and food can greatly influence and change a culture

Cultural Barriers Natural barriers – Ex: deserts, mountains, jungle Restrict movement of goods and ideas Cultural barriers – Because of beliefs – If a culture doesn’t understand or believe another’s viewpoints

Original intent of the Great Wall of China was to keep out foreigners

Example of a Cultural Barrier Kim Kardashian went to Bahrain to promote her brand and products People there protested Didn’t want to accept what she stood for – Became famous because of her sex appeal

Culture Depends on Environment Urban- Think big cities. High population density and little space. – Ex: Minneapolis or St. Paul Suburban- Neighborhoods surrounding the city. Medium population density but growing. – Ex: Burnsville or Eden Prairie Rural- Think farms. Low population density and lots of space. – Ex: Northfield, Albert Lea, Alexandria

Culture Scavenger Hunt What are the ways in which school has its own culture? – Remember, culture is language, clothing, music, traditions, rituals, ceremonies, structure, communication styles, etc. Find evidence of culture at Monroe County Middle School Record at least 6 pieces of school culture or MCMS culture

Culture Scavenger Hunt After finishing: Explain each picture that you took Explain what role does each item plays in our lives What category does this fall into? (daily life, religion, government or art?)