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 You Brother/Sister Your FamilyTheir 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, parents, 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) Torah (Judaism) Koran (Islam) Hinduism Buddhism Tao Monotheism - worshipping one God Polytheism - worshipping more than one God

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)