Introduction Lesson 2
Identify the major elements of culture. Explore the types of govt and economies that have developed. Describe factors that cause cultures to change.
As you enter the room please: Pick a part of the world and list/describe 3 things you’d like to learn about the lives of the people who live there.
How would you define culture? “Elements of culture”? All things that make up a people’s way of life. Social org, customs, language, arts & lit, religion, govt, economy
Meaning & purpose of life Values Monotheism vs. Polytheism Major world religions? Judaism Christianity Islam Hinduism Buddhism
Religious differences often fuel conflict. Can you provide any examples? N.Ireland Protestants & Catholics Middle East Jews & Muslims Indian Hindus & Muslims (Kashmir) Russian Christians and Chechen Muslims African Christians & Muslims (Sudan, Nigeria, et al) Chinese atheists & Tibetan Buddhists
Person/People in Power, Laws & Institutions Purpose? Order & Security Major Types Democracy – People govern directly Republic – Elect officials (representative democracy) Monarchy – King/Queen/Emperor (familial power) Constitutional monarchy – Parliamentary systems Theocracy – Rule on behalf of religious ideas, or as agent of deity. Dictatorship – Rule by one or small group, often by force Totalitarian govt – rule by one party
How society manages limited resources to satisfy unlimited wants & needs 3 Basic Questions: What to produce? How to produce? For whom to produce?
Traditional Econ Relies on custom, subsistence (survival) Market Econ Relies on consumer choice (buy & sell) Command Econ Govt controls production & cost Mixed Econ Govt involvement in markets
Describe 3 elements that help give a culture its identity. Religion Government Economy Language Arts, Lit, Customs
What factors cause cultures to change? Technology Environment Diffusion Mvmt of ideas from one place to another War & Conquest Travel & Trade
New transportation & communication rapidly increase contact & change Benefits? More goods & ideas to more people Drawbacks? Threatens foundations/traditions Share bad things (disease, econ collapse)
Why is it important to increase awareness of other cultures? Tolerance & acceptance End ethnocentrism / racism Interconnectedness
Reflection wiki post Reading “Dilemmas of Foreign Aid” Study Guide – Intro and Part I DO NOT WRITE ON READING!!!!