OBJECTIVE TWW analyze the basic components of culture in order to categorize/ evaluate the culture in which Towson High School students participate.

Culture Group of belief systems, norms, and values practiced by a people Two means by which a culture is formed: (1) self-identification by the culture (2) labeled by a certain group of people (i.e. academics) as folk culture or popular culture

Popular Culture Cultural traits such as dress, diet, and music that identify and are part of today’s changeable, urban- based, media influenced western societies

Folk Culture Dress modes, dwellings, traditions, and institutions of usually small, traditional, and homogenous communities

Local Culture Group of people in a particular place who see themselves as a collective or a community, who share experiences, customs, and traits, and who work to preserve those traits and custom in order to claim uniqueness and to distinguish themselves from others.

Define the following terms: (1) Popular Culture (2) Folk Culture (3) Local Culture Read the provided story about Jack… Based on the limited version, which type of culture do the Jack stories represent?

Jack Tales Form a group in which you have the ability to spell the word JACK Discuss each story Speculate on the purpose of the Jack Tales Should this be categorized as Popular, Folk, or Local Culture

Material v. Nonmaterial Includes the things that a people construct, such as art, houses, clothing, sports, dance, and foods NONMATERIAL Beliefs, practices, aesthetics, and values of a group of people Are “Jack’s Tales” an example of Material or Nonmaterial culture?

Folklore Stories representing an important part of the overall culture of a group Pass on people’s values and the legends from generation to generation Can involve a lesson to promote allegiance to the culture or to improve the culture

Jack Tales “Jack and the Beanstalk” = most famous Told in the Appalachian regions of Kentucky and West Virginia Have roots in the Scotch- Irish Immigrants to America (Protestant Scottish) HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN?

Authenticity Context of local or folk culture and customs The accuracy with which a single stereotypical or typecast image or experience conveys an otherwise dynamic and complex local culture or its customs.

Raise your hand if you have never played Pac-Man Pac-Man Description Raise your hand if you have never played Pac-Man If your hand is up, be very sad

Popular Culture Many attempt to encapsulate popular culture into a single force which attempts to infiltrate various scales/levels of society

Diffusion = Little Pellets Diffusion of Popular Culture occurs most often through hierarchical diffusion. From the hearth, the popular culture will spread but many aspects of the local culture will prevent its contagious diffusion. Distance Decay v. Time Space Compression

Diffusion of popular culture Traits of popular culture can be developed in two different manners: (1) cultural appropriation/commodification (2) those in a position of power/wealth For both of these scenarios, which aspects of their diffusion are similar and which aspects are different?

Phishing v. manufacturing of a hearth Phishing of a Hearth The development of a trait of popular culture that is ultimately appropriated from a local/folk culture Starts as contagious ends up hierarchical HIERARCHICAL DIFFUSION CONTINUES TO PLAY THE ULTIMATE DOMINANT ROLE

Phishing v. manufacturing of a hearth The development of a trait for the sole purpose of economic consumption Sole issue of hierarchical diffusion HIERARCHICAL DIFFUSION CONTINUES TO PLAY THE ULTIMATE DOMINANT ROLE

Diffusion of popular culture Distance Decay v. Time Space Compression

Local (Folk) Culture Each ghost represents one of the various different groups of people in a particular place (yes the ghosts move) who see themselves as a collective or community who work to preserve traits and customs

Customs and Authenticity Customs allow local cultures to define themselves as unique creating the AUTHENTICITY of the region Two goals of a local culture Keeping other cultures out Keeping their own cultures in

General Cultural Barriers Some culture have general barriers which place further roadblocks to the diffusion of the material i.e. Prohibitions against the consumption of various products, use of certain technologies, etc.

Cultural Appropriation Sometimes the popular culture attempts to adopt customs and knowledge of a local culture in order to use them for their own benefit Cultural Appropriation is a major concern for local cultures. i.e. Seattle in the early 90s

Assimilation v. Appropriation the process through which people lose originally differentiating traits Change of the person i.e. Carlisle School in PA.

Assimilation v. Appropriation The popular culture integrating a particular trait of local/folk culture into the popular culture i.e. Moccasin Slippers

Commodification The process by which something is given monetary value Occurs when a good or idea that previously was not an object to be bought or sold is turned into something that has a particular price and that can be traded in a market economy. What is going to be the reaction of a local or folk culture to commodification?

Commodification If popular culture appropriates the custom from the local culture, it may commodify that custom thereby exploiting that aspect of local culture This attacks the authenticity of the local culture i.e. Starbucks

Jack and the Bean Stalk Using the vocabulary below, discuss how “Jack and the Bean Stalk” has made the journey from folklore to commodification (1) folk culture (2) custom and authenticity (3) cultural barriers (4) cultural appropriation (5) commodification

Neolocalism Some Local Cultures remain strong in the face of appropriation and commidification In the face of an uncertain world, these cultures re-establish their culture and defend it more vigorously.

Define the culture of Towson using the following terms: Discussion Question Define the culture of Towson using the following terms: (1) local culture (2) popular culture (3) authenticity (4) cultural appropriation (5) commodification (6) neolocalism

Fishbowl Discussion Prep In your group, develop discussion points for the following 3 questions: (1) Evaluate the ability of any local or folk culture in Modern Times to withstand participation in the popular culture (2) Are cultural appropriation and commodification evil concepts? (3) Are there any disadvantages to relying on the diffusion of popular culture traits from a manufactured hearth?

Exit Slip Confirm or Refute the following statement:   The cultural landscape of Towson demonstrates what Geographer Edward Relph described as placelessness. If you confirm the statement, provide examples and experiences that support that idea. If you refute the idea, use examples and experiences that demonstrate that the resistance is due to glocalization or the actual maintenance of a unique Towson cultural landscape.