The Meaning of Culture Many Peoples Many Cultures

The Meaning of Culture Many Peoples Many Cultures

What is Culture ? • Define and/or explain in your own words • Ex: page 13 (Chapter 1 Section 3) • Many misunderstandings occur because people do not understand one another • Culture- all the things that make up a people’s entire way of life

Elements of Culture • Everyone is born into a culture – Ways of: thinking, believing and behaving • Culture shapes our lives • Culture affects us throughout our lives and influences all we do • Elements of Culture- social organization, customs & traditions, language, arts & literature, religion, government & economic systems

Social Organization • Every society organizes itself to meet basic needs • Family Patterns are the foundation for society Mom & Dad Your Family Brother/Sister Their Family In Your Notes Create A Basic Family Tree For Your Family Start With Your Grandparents

Social Organization • Nuclear Family- includes wife, husband & children – Typical family pattern in the United States – Living together and surviving as one group – Some are large and some small • Extended Family- several generations living in one household – Grandparents, children, aunts, uncles and cousins – Common in many societies around the world

Social Organization • Extended Families Continued: – Respect for “Elders” is very strong in these societies • Family authority changes from place to place (Culture to Culture) – Men (Husband or male relative)– patriarchal – Women (Wife or female relative)- matriarchal • More common in African and Native American cultures Why Would Elderly People Be Respected ? ? ?

Social Organization • Social Classes: – Rank people in order of status • Based on- money, occupation, education, ancestry, etc… – In the past you were born into a social class and stayed there – NO CHANCE OF MOVING UP IN SOCIETY Examples: India – Caste System (Brahmins and Poor People) Ancient Egypt - Slave and Free ( Egyptians and Jewish People) Early Mexico – Spanish and Mixed Bloods (Pure Blood Spaniards &Mestizo)

Customs & Traditions • Rules of behavior in cultures are very important – Ex: what to wear and how to act in society • Social pressure used to enforce minor rules • Moral issues (right and wrong) are often part of the written laws

Language • Cornerstone of culture (most important thing) • Main way that people communicate with one another • All cultures have a language though not all of them have a written form • Language reflects the cultural identity of a people

Language • Many countries have several languages within their borders – India has more than 700 languages • (15 official languages) – Canada has two national languages (English and French) • How do governments decide on a language and what does that mean? – Ex: United States and the Spanish Language

Arts and Literature • Products of the human imagination – Art, music and literature • Have the ability to tell us about our culture Uncle Tom’s Cabin Legend of Sleepy Hollow The Raven The Scarlet Letter

Arts and Literature • Parents/Relatives tell children folk stories that teach values – Ex: Tortoise and the Hare -Versus- What is the lesson that the story tries to tell children? What Stories or Tales do you remember being taught as a child. What were the messages they sent.

Religion • Arts are closely linked to religious beliefs of a cultural group – Temples, churches and music • Religion helps people answer basic questions in their lives • Supports the values of the culture and strengthens a societies bonds How many different religious denominations (groups) are in the class?

Religion Bible (Christianity) Koran (Islam) Buddhism Torah (Judaism) Tao Monotheism- worshipping one God Polytheism- worshipping more than one God Hinduism

Forms of Government • People form governments to provide for common needs – Keeping order – Protecting society from outside threats • Also means the laws and political institutions – President – Congress (House of Representatives and Senate)