Global Cultures

Elements of Culture Culture=the way of life of a group of people who share similar beliefs and customs Language Through language people communicate information and experiences Pass on cultural values and traditions Within a culture, there are language differences dialect= a local form of a language Different pronunciations Language families= large groups of languages having similar roots Ex. Romance languages (Italian, Spanish, French)

Elements of Culture Religion Religious beliefs vary significantly around the world Religious differences have caused many conflicts It enables people to find a sense of identity. Gives people moral values Celebrate holidays and festivals Religious symbols and stories have shaped cultural expression Painting, architecture, music, etc.

Elements of Culture Social Groups Social systems develop to help members of a culture to meet basic needs Social classes- groups of people ranked based on ancestry, wealth, education, etc. Ethnic group- made up of people who share a common language, history, place of origin, or a combination of these Government and Economy Governments maintain order, protect citizens from outside forces, and supplies other services to its people Organized by levels of power (local, regional, national) By type of authority (autocracy, oligarchy, and democracy) Economic activities= how a culture utilizes resources to meet human needs Analyze the ways people produce, obtain, use and sell goods and services

Cultural Change Agricultural Revolution Cultural diffusion= the process of spreading new knowledge from one culture to another Major factor in cultural development Early humans were nomads, but as the earth warmed (10,000 years ago) they began settling in hilly areas and river valleys Became farmers Shift from hunting and gathering to food producing is known as the Agricultural Revolution Culture hearths= early centers of civilization whose ideas and practices spread to surrounding areas Ex. Egypt, Iraq, Pakistan, China, and Mexico All emerged from farming settlements in areas with a mild climate, fertile land, and a major source of water

Cultural Change Surplus food led to the rise of cities Less need for farmers, so they came up with new ways to make a living Created new technologies (artisans) Traded goods (merchants) Needed a gov’t to organize their newly complex social system Cultural contact promoted cultural change, as well. Through trade, travel, or conquest Some mass migrations were forced (African slaves) Others were to escape persecution, famine, or to find political freedom Migrants carry their culture with them Ideas and practices blend in with the culture already present

Cultural Change Industrial and Information Revolutions Industrial Revolution In the 18th and 19th Centuries, countries began to industrialize Produced goods quickly and easily=change in economy Led to social changes, as people left farms for jobs in cities Information Revolution Computers can store huge amounts of info and instantly send it all over the world Links cultures of the world