INTRODUCTION to World Cultures What is culture Can

INTRODUCTION to World Cultures • What is culture? • Can you define it? • Can you describe a culture of a specific place? Unit 3 – Africa Lesson 3 – World Religions

What is Culture? • Definition • – a “way of life” of a region – Social Structure – Government – Religion – Customs and traditions – Language – Arts – Economies click

Elements of Culture What are nine elements of culture? • Food • Clothing • Humor • Architecture • Leisure • Skills • Ideas of beauty • Ideas of right and wrong • Goals for future

Example: the Nacirema People Read the document on Nacirema (Some of you know about them… let others discuss their views first) • What did you find odd? • What did you find “normal”? • Was anything repulsive? • What are examples of their behavior? • How would you describe their culture? • Would you want to visit them?

What is “American” Culture? • What are aspects we all have in common? Cultural differences gestures

What is Religion? • Definition: • The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods, discusses “the eternal, ” and usually explains your soul and an after life. • Examples • Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism • Buddhism, Islam

Christianity • World’s biggest • 33% of the world • Idea: there is one God (monotheistic) – Offshoot of Judaism • Three parts of God • The son (Jesus) was sent to earth to cleanse you of your sins • Several types: – Catholic – Protestant – Orthodox

Islam • • Second largest 20% of world population Monotheistic Started in Middle East in 7 th century Idea: total obedience to God (Allah) Respected Judaism and Christianity Spread throughout Mediterranean

• • • Third largest religion in world 14% (and growing) Only Indians (from India) Polytheistic (man Gods) Fairly complicated Reincarnation (born into body of baby) • All animals are sacred • Most Hindus are vegetarians

Buddhism • • Fourth largest religion (6%) Found mostly in East Asia Belief that life has no beginning or end Reincarnation

Government • Different types (18) – Democracy – Republic (form of Democracy) – Dictatorship