1. Culture: A more complicated definition
Mr Kuhn

2. Defining culture
As of 1952, there was over 164 different definitions of what culture is and what it encompasses
Even today, there is not one agreed upon definition of what culture is by anthropologists (those who study humans and their lifestyles)
Moving forward, we will use the dictionary as a basic answer but explore what this means in more depth
Definition
the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group; also : the characteristic features of everyday existence (such as diversions or a way of life) shared by people in a place or time

3. The layers of culture
Culture can be divided and studies in three different levels
Observable Artifacts
What one can feel and observe about ones culture
Eg. Clothing, housing, etc.
Values
Values are an important element of culture and involve judgments of what is good or bad and desirable or undesirable
Eg. Japanese Harmony vs American Individualism
Basic Underlying Assumptions (Norms)
How members of a culture think, feel, and act. Based upon values of a culture

4. Norms
Cultures differ widely in their norms, or standards and expectations for behaving
Norms are often divided into two types, formal norms and informal norms
Formal Norms
Formal Norms are laws and refer to the standards of behavior considered the most important in society
Example in Canada include traffic laws and criminal codes
Informal Norms
Refer to standards of behavior that are considered less important but influence the way we behave
Examples include table manners or how we interact with others
Norms differ from culture to culture
Example: Many countries people speak very closely yet many cultures get uncomfortable
Many norms are based on gender, sex, and sexuality

5. Symbols
Every culture is filled with symbols (objects/things that stand for something else)
While some symbols are type of nonverbal communication others are material objects
Nonverbal Symbols
Shaking hands conveys friendship and is used when meeting or departing
Sometimes symbols mean the opposite in different cultures
Canada: Nod means yes, shaking head means no Bulgaria: Nod means no, shaking means yes
Canada: O with fingers means “OK!” Parts of Europe: Its an obscenity
Objects
Flag symbolized country and what it stands for
Cross represents Christian religion

6. Language
Language is an extremely important part of culture and shapes the culture it is a part of
Some people consider a common language so important that they advocate making a certain languages the official language of certain cities countries and banning certain languages In public places
Eg. Quebec keeping French as an official language
While all languages are translatable, the true meaning in the language is often lost through this translation and with it so is the culture

7. Culture, human nature, and personality
Characteristics that are shared by everyone and inherited genetically
While it is human nature to feel, exercise, interact, etc, what one does with these characteristics are modified by culture
Personality
Unique personal set of mental programs which she or he does not share with any other human beings
Traits are partly inherited and partly learned

8. Types of cultures Folk Culture Popular Culture Sub Culture
Culture that adheres to isolated groups throughout the world without access to modern conveniences and technologies
While most folk cultures have faded over time, few still exist such as the Amish and a few untouched Aboriginal groups
Popular Culture
Entirety of attitudes, ideas, images, perspectives, and other phenomena within the mainstream of a given culture
Heavily influenced by entertainment, sports, news, politics, and fashion
Sub Culture
Groups that have values and norms that are distinct from those held by the majority
Example: Goths, bikers, etc…

9. Misconceptions of culture
Culture in not a “thing”
Culture relies on people and does not think for itself or act independently without people
Culture is not distributed equally
Not everyone within a culture is the same. Some might fit the stereotype more than other but it is important to recognize the individual over “culture”
An individual can have more than one culture
People are affected by a number of cultures due to their lifestyle, heritage, and where they live. No one belongs to a single culture
Culture is not timeless
Just as people change, so does culture. Canadians may carry over what our ancestors did but we are not the same

10. Today in the text… Does culture even exist? More on Folk Culture
What is a Folk Region?
Folk Culture and Housing