More on the 5 Elements of Culture Cultural

More on the 5 Elements of Culture

Cultural Products �the visible part of culture �the first thing we see, hear, feel, taste about a culture �They range from bricks to neighborhoods. �from tools (shovel, hammer) to ideas (law, religion, art, education)

Elements of Cultural Products �Artifacts �Places �Institutions �Art forms

Artifacts � Individual objects created, adopted, or adapted by members of the culture � the “things” of a culture � Some are unique (Japanese Kimonos, Scottish Kilts). � Others are imported from other cultures (soccer, football, newspapers). � Some may seem the same (television, pencil) but usage varies from culture to culture.

Places �Physical places are cultural products �Both human-made and natural �Individual artifacts arranged in a certain way make places unique. �Places range from your desktop to a country and so on…

Institutions � Formal, organized systems that define and regulate practices of members of a culture � Politics, law, economics, education, religion, family, kinship, healthcare, social welfare, mass media � Complex combinations of practices and products that take place in many locations � Govern and structure the activities of a culture � Example: What is education? �Is it a building? �Is it the staff and students? �Textbooks?

Art Forms �Complex products that exist somewhere between products and perspectives. �Think of “style” in clothing or fashion.

Homework � Bring a personal possession from home with you to the next class. � Guidelines �Don’t bring anything extremely valuable. �Bring something that has some historical significance in your life, or the lives of your family. �Be prepared to explain the significance of the item. �Be prepared to discuss these questions: � What is it? Where do you find it? � How do you use it? When? � Which people use it? � Which groups of people use this object? � Why do people use this? � What significance does this object have in your culture?