culture – all things that make up a peoples’ way of life. we inherit culture from our parents...
TRANSCRIPT
Culture
Culture – All things that make up a peoples’ way of life.
We inherit culture from our parents and society
Culture
Where did the first culture come from?
The “heartlands” of major cultural groups. ◦ In the beginning…
The Middle East Mesoamerica (Central America) West Africa
Cultural Hearths
Major cities serve as today’s cultural hearths.◦ New York City◦ Tokyo◦ London◦ Paris…
Cultural Hearths Today
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”
Map Activity
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.
Cultural Norms
Body Language◦ 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.
Examples of Norms
It is important to understand other
cultures before we judge them based on our own
cultural norms.
Simulation
5 Elements of Culture
The elements of culture are…◦Customs & traditions◦Language◦Arts and literature◦Religion◦Social organization
5 Elements of Culture
1. A Cultures rules for behavior.◦ Ex: Holidays, clothing, Marriage, etc. ◦ Graduation, Prom, Skip days
Customs and Traditions
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
Los elementos de la cultura
Language is the cornerstone of culture Without language, you could not
communicate You can have many different types of
language… name a few.
Language
This can strengthen a culture’s identity – can make people feel proud
Includes art, music, books, etc. Many different forms in a single society
Arts and Literature
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 placeof religion?
Religion
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?
Social organization
How is the United States “organized”?
◦ Nuclear families – include a wife, husband, and children. (Industrial societies)
◦ Extended families – several generations living together. (Farming societies)
Social Organization
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?
Where we live…
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
Media◦ Antenna to Cable or Satellite◦ Video stores to Netflix
Communication◦ Letters to Email◦ Morse Code to Cellular devices
Music◦ Records to MP3 technology
How have the following technological changes affected our culture?
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
Why culture changes cont…
Read the article and answer the questions provided.
Place in the mesh when finished.
Globalization
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
Societies Collide…
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.
Why is it important to understand other cultures?
Judging other cultures by the standards of one’s own culture◦ People say negative things about people they
view as different
Ethnocentrism