Seven Elements of Culture
7 Elements of Culture Define it Explain it in your own words Social Organization Customs and Traditions Language Arts & Literature Religion Forms of Government Economic Systems Define it Explain it in your own words Why is it important? Examples – 3 Minimum
Social Organization
Framework of society
Social Organization 1. Families: The building blocks of society
Two types of family: -nuclear -extended
Social Organization 1. Families a. Nuclear Family: “the immediate family” Contains only parents and children
Social Organization 1. Families a. Nuclear Family b. Extended Family: The nuclear family and other relatives living under the same roof or in close proximity.
c. Patriarchal: Family dominated by the eldest male c. Patriarchal: Family dominated by the eldest male. Matriarchal: Family dominated by female
d. Monogamy: Only one spouse. Polygamy: More than one spouse.
Many cultures have arranged marriages.
A. Social Organization 1. Families 2. Social Classes: Some people have greater status than others. Why?
B. Customs: How are people expected to behave in social situations?
C. Language: How do people communicate with each other?
1. Dialect: a variety of a language
D. Arts: How do people order things D. Arts: How do people order things? (Space, ideas, sounds, materials, etc.)
Dance
Theater
Literature
Music
Ceramics
Sculpture
Architecture
Painting & Drawing
Aesthetics: the study of beauty
E. Religion
Three questions of religion: 1. Where did we come from?
2. How should we live our lives? 3. Where do we go when we die?
1 3 Cyclical 2 2 1 3 Linear
Cosmology: The study and explanation of the universe
Theology: A system of religious beliefs
Doctrine: Ideas taught as truth
Monotheism: Belief in one god Polytheism: Belief in many gods
Animism: The belief that spirits inhabit nature
Proselytize: to try to convert somebody to a religious faith
Missionary: Someone who proselytizes Proselyte: Someone who converted
Missionary religions contain a doctrine that all people should believe according to their doctrine.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. -Jesus Matthew 28: 19-20
Sect: A religious group, division, “branch” or faction
F. Government: How do people make decisions for the group/society?
G. Economic Systems: the use of limited resources.
Economic Systems: How do people get their food/water, clothing, and shelter?
Economic Systems Traditional Market Command Mixed
How Do Cultures Change Page 19 List of 10 things that have changed in the last 10 years List of 10 things that will change in the next 10 years
Elements of Culture Quiz Social Organization Customs and Traditions Language Arts & Literature Religion Forms of Government Economic Systems Teach values through products of human imagination The cornerstone of culture Using limited resources to satisfy wants and needs Helps people answer questions about life Teaches rules of behavior, like holidays & birthdays Provides for the needs of the people Basic unit is the family