Elements of Culture

All things that make up a people’s entire way of life

Confucius “All people are the same; only their habits differ.”

ELEMENTS OF CULTURE Culture All things that make up a person’s way of life. 7 Elements = Norm- Norms refer to the expectations, or rules of behavior, that develop from our values

ELEMENTS OF CULTURE Culture All things that make up a person’s way of life. 7 Elements Social Organization Customs & Traditions Language Arts & Literature Religion Forms of Government Economic System Culture Video 2:00

ELEMENTS OF CULTURE Create a mnemonic for the Elements of Culture Mnemonics are memory devices that help learners recall larger pieces of information 7 Elements Social Organization Customs & Traditions Language Arts & Literature Religion Forms of Government Economic System

1. Social Organization Definition: smaller units of a culture to create social structure and help people work together to meet basic needs

1. Social Organization Family-basic way to pass on culture – social controls: regulates individual or group behaviors Nuclear: immediate family typical for industrialized societies Vary in size based on culture and traditions Extended: several generations living in one household Common agricultural/traditional societies Economic unit

1. Social Organization Social Class – Social Groups Rank people by status Ways: money, education, job, heritage relative to culture and economy Social Mobility: ability to move social class Social Groups Members have similar interests

Social Organization The person who exercises authority, or power, in a family varies from one culture to another. Most cultures are patriarchal, or cultures where the male holds power. Women hold authority in matriarchal societies. Marriage customs can also vary. Commonly marriages are monogamous (monogamy), or where an individual has only one partner during their lifetime or at any one time. Polygamy is where there are multiple spouses to one person. Polygyny – One husband and multiple wives Polyandry – One wife and multiple husbands Some marriages can be arranged, or predetermined by the parents of the bride and groom. Arranged marriages are often created for economic or political reasons. Dowry and Bridewealth

2. Customs and Traditions Def: rules for behavior/how a society expects people to behave = social controls Governs behavior Ways to express ideas, emotions, and pass on information Examples: ways you eat, sleep, greet, wear, obtain food, prepare food Vary in importance from daily behavior to right and wrong (peer pressure or written law)

3. Language Def: ways to communicate/express thoughts, feelings, emotions, and knowledge Basic way to pass on culture Helps unify and strengthen culture dialects is a form of a language that differs from place to place. Different languages can be spoken within the same society. All culture have language but not all develop forms of writing Verbal/Non-Verbal/written Digital Language

Language What do you call the miniature lobster that one finds in lakes or streams? How do you pronounce “crayon”? Do you call coleslaw “slaw”? What word(s) do you use to address a group of two or more people? How do you pronounce the second vowel in “pajamas”? How do you pronounce “pecan”? What is your generic term for a sweetened carbonated beverage? What do you call a traffic situation in which several roads meet in a circle and you have to get off at a certain point? What do you call a long sandwich that contains cold cuts, lettuce, etc.? What do you call the thing from which you might drink water in a school? What is your “general” term for rubber-soled shoes worn in gym class for athletic activities?

Languages Top languages spoken in the world today (by native speakers): Mandarin (955 million) Spanish (405 million) English (360 million) Hindi (310 million) Arabic (295 million) Portuguese (215 million)

4. Arts and Literature Def: ways to express ideas, information and emotions, teaches cultural values; teaches basic beliefs of a society performing arts Strengthens a cultures identity Express cultural pride Examples: music, visual arts (pictures), dance, stories

5. Religion Def: a person’s belief system that helps guide behavior and teaches basic values = social controls Where do we come from? How to act? Where are we going? Moral compass

Cosmology: The study and explanation of the universe

1 3 Cyclical 2 2 1 3 Linear

Theology: A system of religious beliefs

5. Religion Monotheism Polytheism Worship one God Christianity, Islam, Judaism Polytheism Worship of many Gods Hinduism, Buddhism Sect: religious group, division, “branch” or faction Atheism: a belief in no gods

6. Forms of Government Def: a system for making decision for a society: provide for common needs - order, protection, education people who hold power and make the laws

6. Forms of Government Types of Government: Democracy Republic People have supreme power Republic Representative democracy Dictatorship Ruler or group holds power by force A government that officially calls itself a "democratic republic" is usually a dictatorship Fascism

6. Forms of Government Types of Government: Theocracy Monarchy power or sovereignty held by a single person for life – inherited position - Ruling family Constitutional Monarchy has a written Constitution and has a monarch as Head of State Absolute monarchy Theocracy type of government led by religious leaders. Autocratic/Authoritarian ruling with absolute authority

Democracies In a democracy, the people hold supreme power and the government acts by consent.

Republic In a republic, the people elect representatives to serve them in the government.

Dictatorships In a dictatorship, a ruler and/or group holds power by force usually relying on military support for power.

Theocracy A theocracy is a type of government led by religious leaders.

Monarchy In a monarchy, kings and queens rule. These monarchs will usually claim rule by divine right and are granted their position based on inherence.

Economic system Traditional Economy Market Economy Command Economy Produce what they need to survive Hunting and Gathering, Farming, and Herding Surplus is traded Market Economy Buying and Selling Command Economy Government controlled Individuals have little economic power Mixed Economy Individuals and Government make decisions Cars are a great example: People pick & Government sets standards

7. Economic Systems Def: how a society obtains food, clothing, and shelter - Distribute goods and services How people use limited resources to satisfy their wants and needs Answers: what to produce, how to produce it, and for whom.

7. Economic Systems Examples of Economic Systems: Traditional economy People produce what they need to survive Hunting and gathering, farming, herding Market economy Free Market economy: people decided the basic economic questions based on supply and demand

7. Economic Systems Examples of Economic Systems: Command economy Government controls the economy and answers basic economic questions Individual has little input Mixed economy Bits of all economies Individual makes some economic decisions and the government makes others Most countries mixed economies

Traditional Economies In a traditional economy, people produce most of what they need by themselves. Activities in a traditional economy include hunting, gathering, farming, herding cattle, and/or making their own clothes/tools.

Market Economies In a market economy, people buy and sell goods and services. people decided the basic economic questions based on supply and demand Usually there is no government interference.

Command Economies In a command economy, the government controls what/how goods are produced and what they cost. Individuals in a command economy have little economic power. Black markets frequently appear in command economies. These markets provide illegal goods or services which the government has banished (often at inflated prices.)

Mixed Economies In a mixed economy, individuals make some economic decisions and the government makes others. Government involvement in the marketplace often takes the form of regulations, rules or laws designed to govern conduct.

Economic Philosophies Regarding Markets Socialism (L) and Capitalism (R) Both are ideals, frequently not purely achieved. Socialism is an economic system in which the society holds control over the means of production and the management of the economy. Capitalism is an economic system in which trade, industry, and the means of production are largely or entirely privately owned and operated for profit. Under capitalism, market forces determine the supply and demand of goods and services.

What determines cultural similarities and differences? Technology Availability of money History Relationship with nature Geography and climate