Culture Culture Defined The customary beliefs social forms

Culture

Culture Defined: • “The customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group. ” Webster’s dictionary

Culture Defined: • “the rules by which the game of life is played” Richard Lewis

Culture Defined: • “Culture is the shared assumptions, values, and beliefs of a group of people by which they organize their common life. ” Gary Wederspahn

Culture Kwast’s Model of Culture

Culture Two Challenges in Learning About Culture:

Culture Two Challenges in Learning About Culture: 1. We tend to focus on the most obvious things.

Behavior is just the “tip of the iceberg” of culture

Culture Two Challenges in Learning About Culture: 1. We tend to focus on the most obvious things. 2. We tend to jump to conclusions, make quick interpretations for behavior, and make value judgments about behavior.

Culture

Culture What does this mean for us as we enter into another culture?

Ethnography

Ethnography What is ethnography?

Ethnography What is ethnography? Ø The branch of anthropology that deals with the description of specific human cultures, using methods such as close observation and interviews.

Ethnography Guidelines for Observation Ø Take notes during the observation if you can. If this isn’t possible record observations as soon as you can. Ø Be detailed and specific. Ø Resist urge to interpret what you see at this point.

Ethnographpy What should I observe? • How to Map a People • COATS

Ethnography Here at MOP 4 Culture Game Sunday ethnic church visits Visit to Banaba House Ministries

Ethnography How do I interpret? Ø Interpretation involves finding patterns and lessons in what you observed. You should bring up as many questions about your observations as you can think of. Ø The questions are endless!

Ethnography Questions to Ask How does the group use spoken language? How does the group use written language? Why does this group meet? What is their purpose? What does one get from being a member? What beliefs, values, or tastes does this group share? Do their specific actions demonstrate those beliefs, values or tastes? How does this group act towards each other? Do they treat each other differently than they would in other circumstances? How does this group see its place in the larger community? How do they define themselves in relation to other groups?