Warm UP Who can define culture? What goes into culture?

Culture and Culture Diversity

Why does Culture Exist? Structural Functionalists Culture provides order and organization to people- a way to belong to something Symbolic Interactionists Culture is what people make of it- They either try to fit in or stand out Conflict Theorists Culture is a way of defining and dividing the haves and have-nots

How to Behave Norms Taboos Behaviors that are considered appropriate, “normal,” and accepted in society We usually do not realize our society’s norms until someone breaks them Taboos Behaviors that are outside of the norms in a culture Acting in this way can lead to formal and informal sanctions Ex: Drugs, excessive tattoos, incest

List of various groups School Church Scouting Choir Family Student Union Clubs Sports Fraternities Sororities Work Force (after school job) Band or Orchestra

Group Activity Take Your list with you and to move into groups of 4 students (or less.) compare their individual lists with other people in their group. Identify three things that everyone in their group has in common on their individual lists. On a piece of Chart Paper write down the name of the 3 groups you and your group members have in common Name Purposes of that group (why it is in existence) The beliefs of that group The rules of the group Is membership voluntary or involuntary? You will share one of the three things you and your group had in common with the class, and state the answer(s) you chose for a-e above.

Reflection Would you like to live in a place where everyone: Is the same? (Homogeneous) or Is different? (Heterogeneous)

What is Diversity? Cultural diversity refers to the wide range of cultural differences found between and within nations Can be a result of natural circumstances (climate, geography) or social circumstances (technology or demographics) Societies can be homogeneous or heterogeneous

Have you ever been made to feel like an outsider? When societal tensions arise, people may look for others on whom they can place blame or single out persons or groups who are the “outsider”, who do not belong.

Subcultures Countercultures Groups that share many elements of mainstream culture but maintain their own distinctive customs, values, norms, and lifestyles Based on: Age, gender, wealth, sexual preference, education, occupation, ethnicity, music, SES, etc. Examples: Residents of China town, circus people, soldiers in the military Countercultures Deliberately and consciously opposed to certain central beliefs or attitudes of the mainstream culture Organize because of: Inequalities of class, race, age, gender, etc. Examples: Skinheads, Gang members, Hippies

Ethnocentrism The practice of judging all other cultures by one’s own culture Based on the assumption that one’s own way of life is superior to all others Can be positive or negative

Ethnocentrism Culture Shock Cultural Relativism Judging all other cultures by your own culture’s standards Women’s rights Dress/ social behavior Thinking your country’s ways are the best Cultural Relativism The belief that all countries should be judged by your country’s standards Culture Shock Disorientation that is felt when encountering a radically different culture Hand signals Language Foods Ways of acting in public

Why might this map be considered ethnocentric?

Cultural Relativism The belief that the behaviors and customs of any culture must be viewed and analyzed by the culture’s own standards

Types of Sanctions Informal Sanctions- Positive or negative consequences given out by members of the group Positive Inviting someone to sit with you in the cafeteria because they helped you in class Negative Giving someone a dirty look for telling on you in class Yelling at someone talking/texting loudly in a movie theater Formal Sanctions- Positive or negative consequences that are applied by officials Positive good grade given by a teacher Medal of Honor- Gov’t Negative Speeding ticket given by a cop Detention given by principal

Folk Culture High Culture Tastes and creations used by working-class and minorities Produced for and by ordinary people: Spontaneous Familiar Practical Ex. Quilt making, graffiti, break dancing High Culture Tastes and creations used by the upper classes Sets them apart from the rest of society Requires: elaborate training technical proficiency considerable resources Ex. Opera, ballet, fine works of art

Popular Culture Multiculturalism Encourages respect and appreciation for cultural differences Seeks to reverse centuries of cultural intolerance and oppression of minority groups Brought changes to American education and society Global languages Different ethnic literature and perspectives Popular Culture Tastes and items that appeal to the masses Consists of products and items designed for Leisure Entertainment Mass consumption Fashion Fads- short-lived, widespread items/ideas Ex. Baseball cards, Santa Claus, *NSYNC

Complete the Assignment Use one of the magaizines to answer the following handout with your shoulder partner