The Meaning of

CULTURE

Culture- the sum of what a human group acquires through living together, including language, knowledge, skills, art, literature, law, customs, and life styles. Culture is passed onto future generations by the members of a specific group. 2 categories of culture:

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1. material culturephysical objects that people make 2. nonmaterial culturethe ideas, customs, & beliefs of a society

nonmaterial material

Cultural diffusion- spread of certain parts of culture from one area of the world to another

Acculturation- the process by which a person, or group, from one culture adopts traits of another culture

Language- necessary for communication over 3,000 different languages

global languages- spoken by millions of people local languages- spoken by relatively small numbers of people dialect- variation of a language related to class, region, or culture

Tu vas te masquer pour le Mardi Gras cette année?

Religion- set of beliefs in a supreme being or beings • sets a model of human behavior • answers questions such as: Why are we here; How did we get here? What is the meaning of life? What happens after we die? • affects daily life & laws in many countries 5 major religions Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism

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Culture is learned behavior. Culture is powerful. Culture shapes who you are. History and Geography shape culture. Cultures are the same. Cultures are different. Culture spreads from country to country. Culture changes.

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What art forms are typical of the culture? (crafts, paintings, drama, music, dance, etc)

Which buildings, monuments, structures, and types of homes symbolize this culture?

How do people communicate with each other? How is information spread?

What clothing is typical of the culture?

Who owns the farms and factories?

Are people high tech, low tech, or no tech?

What does the typical family look like? What is the role of women and children?

Who has the power? How is the average citizen connected to the government?

What experiences have shaped the culture? (feudalism, colonialism, war, revolution, famine)

What images (religious or secular) cause an immediate response in every person?

How does the average person (or family) make a living?

How is knowledge passed from one generation to the next?

What words and expressions have a special meaning?

Bling Bling Yo Sup Homes?

That's Chewy! Lights Are On

Mad Skizzills That Jank Be Bonk!

How does the average person get around? To where are people moving?

What people, places, and things spark feelings of loyalty and patriotism?

What are the most important organizations (formal and informal) in the society?

What are the largest groups- by age, race, ethnicity, religion, language)? Who is in the minority?

Rate the average person’s health and happiness. (medical care, life expectancy, security, and opportunity)

What beliefs and values do people hold? What are the traditional holidays, festivals, and ceremonies?

What classes, castes, professions, and groups (racial, ethnic, religious, cultural) have high and low status?

What behaviors are considered to be totally unacceptable? In many Asian and Middle Eastern nations, you only eat or take items in your right hand. Talking loudly in a library. Multiple wives are common in Africa. Some cultures eat bugs and insects as part of their regular diet.

Do most people live in the city or the countryside? What does the typical community look like?

How do people in the culture have fun?

How doe people take care of …cooking, washing clothes, shopping, etc?

How does geography shape the culture?

What foods were invented here? What do people eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?

What stuff that is typical of a culture?

Using today’s notes… Do the ABCs of Culture for TEXAS

It must typed or clearly written and in complete sentences. (10 bonus pts. for typed work) Due Thursday