The Basics of CultureWorld Studies

Objective: SWBAT

What is culture? Important words/ definitions are in BOLD

The way of life shared by members of a society.A set of learned beliefs, values, and behaviors.A person can be a part of many cultures and/or sub-cultures.

Ex. We are all a part of an American culture, but within the American culture there are many sub-cultures…what are some of them?

Elements (parts) of Culture

Belief Systems LanguageCustomsSocial OrganizationPolitical and Economic OrganizationMaterial Elements

Belief systems and Ideologies

Examples:Religions• Christianity• Islam, etc.

Ideologies• Sexism• Racism, etc.

Language

Examples:SpanishArabicJapanese

Customs

Examples:The way you greet people can be different in different cultures:• Handshakes• Bowing with hands

in praying position• Kiss each cheek

Social Organization

Examples:Family StructureSocial Classes

Political and Economic Organization

Examples:Forms of Government• Democracy• Theocracy• Dictatorship

Economic Systems• Capitalism • Communism

Material Elements

Examples:Food• Tacos, sushi

Clothing• Dashiki, toga

Arts and Literature• Haikus, ghazal

How does culture change?

Innovation- Something new is created to meet a need.

Ex. The automobile.

Diffusion- The spread of ideas from one culture to another.

Ex. Tacos or sushi in the U.S.A.; Mc D’s in China.

Acculturation- A culture changes because it accepts an idea or innovation.

Ex. Traditional clothing is replaced by t-shirts and jeans.

Cultural Diffusion

Mc D’s in India Mc D’s in China

Cultural Sensitivity

Ethnocentrism- the belief that your culture/ beliefs are better than someone else’s.

It is important not to judge other cultures by our standards.Just because another culture eats something that we would not or listens to music that we don’t does not make them any more or less civilized.Try to find similarities between cultures and learn to appreciate the differences.