Bell Work What is culture? What are its different parts? How can you recognize one culture from another?

“The Sacred Rac” Read the article and answer the questions on the overhead in your notebook on pg 1.

Culture is… …the language, beliefs, values, norms, behaviors, and material objects that are passed from one generation to the next

Characteristics of Culture Culture adapts to environments Culture is learned Culture can change Culture influences our behavior We are not aware of culture or know all of it Cultures do not exist in isolation

Six Aspects of Culture Government and International Relations Resources and Economics Religion and Spiritual Beliefs Learning and Technology Family Life, Community, and Society Arts and Crafts

Government and International Relations How would you define our political culture? What role does America play globally?

Resources and Economics What natural resources are available? What goods are produced? What type of monetary system is used? How do people acquire goods and services?

Religion and Spiritual Beliefs What do people believe in? How and whom do they worship? Is practicing religion mandatory? How are those whose beliefs differ from the majority treated? How do beliefs affect everyday life?

Learning and Technology How are people educated? Who attends school, and what is taught? Who determines what is taught and who teaches it? What technologies are available both at school and in the home?

Family, Life, Community, and Society How are people arranged in groups? Who lives together, under what conditions? Are family, race, religion, ethnicity, or other factors of high importance? Do these issues divide people? What are their daily customs? Do they celebrate any special days?

Arts and Crafts What types of paintings, sculptures, music, and architecture do the people create? What type of handmade goods do they possess? What types of written creative works are being bought and sold?

Identifying Aspects of Culture

Bell Work How would you describe the pictures of the women below? Are they beautiful? What sets our ideas of beauty apart from these ideals of beauty?

How would you describe American Culture?

Attitudes about Culture Culture Shock: confusion/disorientation people feel when they come into contact with a different culture Cultural Relativism: not judging a culture, but trying to understand it on its own terms Ethnocentrism: using one’s own culture to judge the ways of other individuals or societies **Usually leads to negative evaluations of other cultures**

Material Culture The things we acquire in life Artifacts Items that define us as individuals Homework: For Friday, bring in an object from home that is a part of your material culture. The item must be small enough to fit into a paper bag.

Material Culture Time to take out your brown bag object! Get into a group of three. Share what you brought Ask other members of your group to try and determine meaning