Geography of U.S. Cultural Background

What is Culture The customs, traditions, beliefs and values that a group of people share. It includes language, what they do, eat, make, believe and how they dress. Groups that share these traits are called a cultural group.

Culture varies around the world Buddhist Monks in Myanmar English Punk Rocker

There are two elements of Culture Material culture – is tangible – it has a physical reality. Non-material culture – are things that don’t have a physical reality, such as values, beliefs and religion. Cathedral of the Assumption in Ireland

Material Culture The things that a culture has made. They have physical reality – you can touch them. What culture is this identified with? What does it tell you about the culture

What does a handshake symbolize? Non Material Culture The products of collective human activity that have no physical reality Beliefs Customs language Symbols Music Government. What does a handshake symbolize?

Cultural Symbols Non-material Culture What is this? What culture is this part of? What are some other cultural symbols?

Social Structure It’s a way of organizing people into smaller groups. Each group has particular task or role within the culture. Tasks include protection, raising children, producing food, laws and teaching. All cultures have a social structure In Medieval Europe the task of Knights was to protect the community.

Medieval Social Pyramid Social Groups Social groups are smaller units of a culture. They include groups such as the family, military, classes, religions and government. Medieval Social Pyramid

Family The most important social group of any culture is the family. The task of the family is to teach children culture – the customs, traditions, values and ways of doing things. It helps the culture survive.

Two types of families Nuclear Family – parents and children, most important in western countries such as Great Britain, Germany and U.S. Extended family – generally more important in eastern cultures.

Patriarchy and Matriarchy Patriarchy – cultures where men make most of the family decisions Matriarchy – cultures in which women have more authorities Most cultures have been patriarchies

Religion in Cultures Religion is an organized system of beliefs with specific rituals and practices that includes the super natural. Religion can guide people in ethics – standards of accepted behavior. The Koran – the holy book of Islam.

Monotheism Every culture we know of had a belief in the super natural. Monotheism is a belief in a single God. Christianity, Islam and Judaism are all monotheistic religions. Star of David – symbol of Judaism

Amish Culture The Amish are a sub-culture in America. A cultural group that lives within the existing larger national group. The Amish Culture keep to themselves as much as possible.

Amish History Religious Group. Roots are in Anabaptist movement of the 1500’s. Ethnically German-Swiss. Amish in America dates from 1693.

Amish Beliefs Very strict – especially the Old Order group About 198,000 Old Order Amish in United States. The Ordnung is an oral tradition of rules which regulates how the Amish way of life should be conducted

Amish Cultural Values Family Humility Anti-individualism Calmness & Composure Education only to the 8th grade

Amish Virtues Modesty and purity are important virtues. The Amish are pacifists - they reject all forms of violence. They do not serve in the military. They admire large families.

Amish Dress Amish wear traditional and plain clothing It shows they are not conforming to the world. It expresses an obedience to their church. It shows their lack of vanity.

Education One Room School House Formal education beyond Grade 8 is discouraged.

Rejection of Conveniences Most Amish reject modern technology such as automobiles. They believe it promotes pride or vanity in one’s possessions.

Amish farming is often without machines

Amish Hand Weaving

Hand-made Items