Bellringer-Name the countries

The diverse cultural characteristics of the people who live in Southwestern Asia Georgia Performance Standards SS7G8 a & b

Georgia Performance Standards SS7G8 The student will describe the diverse cultures of the people who live in Southwest Asia (Middle East). a. Explain the differences between an ethnic group and a religious group.

Opening Discussion What is the difference between an ethnic group and a religious group? What are some examples of each that you remember from last year?

EU – Culture: The student will understand that the culture of a society is the product of the religion, beliefs, customs, traditions, and government of that society The intent of this standard is for students to understand the diversity of cultures in Southwest Asia. It is not necessary for students to understand all of the nuances of the various cultures of Southwest Asia. Students should understand what factors make cultures unique, and what factors differentiate them from other groups. The intent of this standard is for students to understand the diversity of cultures in Southwest Asia. It is not necessary for students to understand all of the nuances of the various cultures of Southwest Asia. Students should understand what factors make cultures unique, and what factors differentiate them from other groups. Before studying the diversity of cultures in any region, students need to understand the differences between ethnic groups and religious groups. Ethnic groups share many common characteristics, such as language, physical appearance, customs, and traditions. Religious groups share a common belief system, but are not necessarily composed of a single ethnic group. Students can share examples of different religions and how these include different ethnic groups. Students should understand that ethnic groups and religious groups are not defined by political borders. Before studying the diversity of cultures in any region, students need to understand the differences between ethnic groups and religious groups. Ethnic groups share many common characteristics, such as language, physical appearance, customs, and traditions. Religious groups share a common belief system, but are not necessarily composed of a single ethnic group. Students can share examples of different religions and how these include different ethnic groups. Students should understand that ethnic groups and religious groups are not defined by political borders.

Ethnic group vs. Religious group Members of an ethnic group share characteristics such as race, language, ancestry, or culture. You are born into this and do not have a choice (cannot change). People are members of a specific religious group by belief or choice (can change).

Ethnic group vs. Religious group It is important to note that “Muslim” and “Arab” are not the same thing. Muslims are followers of Islam, a religious group (a choice). Arabs are an ethnic group subdivided into many different tribes, clans, and families (not a choice). It is important to note that “Muslim” and “Arab” are not the same thing. Muslims are followers of Islam, a religious group (a choice). Arabs are an ethnic group subdivided into many different tribes, clans, and families (not a choice). Not all Arabs are Muslims!! Several Arab countries, such as Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan, have many Arab Christian minorities. Not all Arabs are Muslims!! Several Arab countries, such as Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan, have many Arab Christian minorities. Not all Muslims are Arabs!! Indonesia and Nigeria have high Muslim populations but are in SE Asia and Africa Not all Muslims are Arabs!! Indonesia and Nigeria have high Muslim populations but are in SE Asia and Africa

SS7G8 The student will describe the diverse cultures of the people who live in Southwest Asia (Middle East). b. Explain the diversity of religions within the Arabs, Persians, and Kurds. SS7G8 The student will describe the diverse cultures of the people who live in Southwest Asia (Middle East). b. Explain the diversity of religions within the Arabs, Persians, and Kurds. The intent of this element is not for students to understand in detail the specifics of each religion of each ethnic group, but rather to grasp the wide diversity of religious beliefs within selected ethnic groups in Southwest Asia. Students should know the type of or name of the religion(s) practiced by each ethnic group. Detailed comparisons are not necessary; they will do some of this in element c The intent of this element is not for students to understand in detail the specifics of each religion of each ethnic group, but rather to grasp the wide diversity of religious beliefs within selected ethnic groups in Southwest Asia. Students should know the type of or name of the religion(s) practiced by each ethnic group. Detailed comparisons are not necessary; they will do some of this in element c

Arabs (Ethnic Group) العرب 1. Largest ethnic group in the Middle East 2. They speak Arabic and most practice Islam 3. Only a few Arabs are Christians and an even smaller part is Jewish. 4. There are 2 major types of Muslims- Sunni (90%) and Shia (10%). Almost all Arabs are Sunni. Dictionary/Arabs.wmv

Persian (Ethnic Group) 1. Make up half of Iran’s population 2. They speak their own language, Farsi 3. Almost all Persians are Muslims (Shia) Shia 4. Shia Muslims are more strict, so Persian women have faced many challenges in Iran

Persians Make up more than half of Iran’s population (Iran was called Persia until WWI) Make up more than half of Iran’s population (Iran was called Persia until WWI) Persians descended from a different group than Arabs and Kurds-ancestors were from Central Europe and Western Russia. Persians descended from a different group than Arabs and Kurds-ancestors were from Central Europe and Western Russia. The have lived in Iran since before the arrival of Islam in the 7 th Century The have lived in Iran since before the arrival of Islam in the 7 th Century The Persian language (Farsi) is one of the world's oldest languages still in use today The Persian language (Farsi) is one of the world's oldest languages still in use today Persian art and architecture is well known, many consider Persian rugs to be among the finest in the world Persian art and architecture is well known, many consider Persian rugs to be among the finest in the world

Persian Persian mosque Traditional Persian rugs

Kurds (Ethnic Group) 1. Most Kurds are Muslim (Sunni), so they are usually less strict about certain Muslim practices Example—fewer laws for how Kurdish women should dress than there is for Iranian and Arab women 2. A very small percentage are Shia Muslims, Christians and Jews. 3. They live mostly in the mountains of these countries: Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey (1/5 of Turkey’s population).

Kurds They have never had their own country, but speak their own language (Kurdish) and have their own culture (history, music, literature, and traditions). They have never had their own country, but speak their own language (Kurdish) and have their own culture (history, music, literature, and traditions). Their attempts to create an official country of Kurdistan have been strongly resisted by those countries. Their attempts to create an official country of Kurdistan have been strongly resisted by those countries. The Kurdish people face discrimination, persecution, and violence in these countries The Kurdish people face discrimination, persecution, and violence in these countries

Kurdistan 15 million-Turkey 6.5 million-Iran 5.5 million-Iraq 1 million-Syria Less than ½ million in Armenia and Georgia

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Question Which ethnic group is the most numerous in SW Asia? A. Jews B. Kurds C. Arabs D. Persians

Question Which ethnic group is the most numerous in SW Asia? A. Jews B. Kurds C. Arabs D. Persians

Question What ethnic group lives in the mountains of Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria? A. Jews B. Persians C. Kurds D. Arabs

Question What ethnic group lives in the mountains of Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria? A. Jews B. Persians C. Kurds D. Arabs

Question Members of this ethnic group are mostly Shia Muslims. A. Jews B. Persians C. Kurds D. Arabs

Question Members of this ethnic group are mostly Shia Muslims. A. Jews B. Persians C. Kurds D. Arabs

In your Notebook Read and answer questions on pages Write the ?’s and Answers We will go over the answers, so make sure you actually check the answers for credit in your notebooks.