Culture

Def. - Beliefs or actions that define a group of people’s way of life.

Cultural Hearth Def. – a place where important ideas begin and from which they spread to surrounding cultures. - Usually refers to areas in ancient times where major traits of human culture first developed. Examples: Southwest Asia – People first tamed and herded animals and grew crops from wild grasses.

Language Families Def. -a group of languages related by descent from a common ancestor. Examples – The English language is a part of the Germanic language family. Modern day German, East, and West Scandinavian languages are part of this language family.

Cultural Diffusion Def. – process by which a cultural element is transmitted and integrated from one group or individual to another. – Examples: McDonalds in China, The spread of Christianity, Islam, Etc. Mexican food popularity in America, U.S. music gaining popularity around the world.

How Cultures Diffuse Immigration – People who move into a country or area from another country or area. Emigrants- People who leave a country or area to live in other places. – Are the two most common ways of cultural diffusion. – Technology is rapidly exposing people to other cultures around the world.

Settlement Patterns Urbanization – The growth of city populations. – The worlds urban centers are becoming modern cultural hearths. Example – New York City is 36% foreign with over 170 languages spoken. Rural – Countryside populations. Culture spreads through settlement patterns.

Cultural Trait Things that make you unique to other cultures. Something that defines your culture from other cultures. Examples – Holidays, Food, Music, Clothing, Technology, Traditions, Religion, Entertainment, Architecture

Cultural Icon "A very famous person or thing considered as representing a set of beliefs or a way of life." Examples: Tupac = Hip Hop/Rap, Hitler = Infamy/Evil, Michael Jordan = Basketball,