Key Terms Culture-the beliefs and actions that define a group of people’s way of life. Cultural Region-how human activities such as religion, language, customs and beliefs, institutions, and technologies are divided around the world. Cultural Diffusion-the process by which a cultural element is transmitted from one group to another which often occurs through migration of people.

Key Terms Cultural Convergence-when the language, religion, beliefs, customs, institutions, and technologies of one culture comes into contact with another and is adopted by that culture. Give an example of this in the world today. Cultural Divergence-the restriction of a culture from outside culture influences. Give an example of this in the world today.

Element #1: Language Language is the cornerstone of culture, without language people could not communicate Cultures use language to pass on what they know and believe to the next generation. People who speak the same language often share other customs and beliefs Countries that have the common language are often are more cohesive than those that are multilingual.

Element #1: Language

Element #2: Customs/Beliefs Customs-things people do, how they dress, food, holidays, marriages, births, parenthood, and death. Customs are often passed down from one generation to the next. The family unit is the number one way customs and beliefs are transmitted in culture. Beliefs-rules for the proper behavior in society Certain things can be acceptable in one society and completely taboo in another. Give an example.

Family Structure Some societies parents live with just their children. Other cultures parents, children, and extended family live together. Gender Roles: Roles specifically assigned to men and women. In most societies past gender roles were very restrictive Men worked and women stayed at home Changing Gender Roles: 20 th Century for women in America/Europe have seen many changes for women in society However in many other parts of the world women have restricted roles Traditional Roles Many countries in the world maintain traditional roles for women. Example: Islamic nations

Element #2: Customs/Beliefs

Element #3: Institutions Institutions-organizations developed by each society to make social roles clear and to take care of social needs. Such institutions include: Families, Schools, Governments, Military, Hospitals, and Churches

Element #3: Governments Governments protect us from outsiders, promote social cooperation, and regulate individual behavior. Democracy Monarchy Theocracy Authoritarian

Element #4: Religion Religion-a set of beliefs about the meaning of life, the nature of the universe, and the existence of the supernatural (including God or a Supreme Being) A set of customs and practices that relate to the worship of God (or several gods) and a set of rules for the conduct of a good life. An organization, such as a church or other place of worship, which oversees conduct of religious practices. Most religions designate special places as holy.

Major Religions Judaism Christianity Islam Hinduism Buddhism Animism Sikhism

Element #4: Religions

Element #5: Technology Urban vs Rural Modern vs Traditional Roads, Bridges, Steel buildings, running water, sewage systems, electricity, telephones, internet Literate vs Illiterate