What is culture and how does it inform my identity? Grade 9 Seminar Unit 2

Why is this important? Search for identity is a key component to growing up Sense of self is important to self-actualization Secondarily and to support this human development goal, it is an IB imperative –Seeing our planet as a community with personal and economic interdependence –Environmental awareness and our connectedness ecologically –Understanding our own culture to build tolerance which in turn builds world peace

Who am I? One thing that informs or helps create our sense of identity is our culture. That leads to the questions –What is a culture? –How does it affect me?

Things that show: The tip of the iceberg Clothing styles Folk culture: dancing, music, stories High culture: music, art, literature Games and sport Food To some extent, religions

What might not be so obvious Notions of modesty Concepts of beauty Child-raising Relationship to nature How we deal with others Work and careers Sense of justice Leadership Display of emotion Concepts of past and future Approaches to Problem solving Time and life tempo Courtship, marriage, and sex Cleanliness Status and mobility Gender roles Facial expression and body language Friendship Competition Physical space Religious practice

Culture: What is it?

But isn’t it deeper than that? d_or_just_different.htmlhttp:// d_or_just_different.html

This week Think about your culture and how it shows up in your life –Your family life –Your beliefs –Your tastes –Your attitudes