1.  I’ll be collecting syllabus quizzes before class starts– make sure it’s in my hands on your way in.  If you have your syllabus form signed, drop it off on my desk before/after class.  Please put your nametag on your desk for me to see.

2. 1. Turn in syllabus signature form on/before Friday 2. Check out a textbook 3. Recycle! 4. If you need to sit near the front, let me know after class today 5. If you’re interested in traveling, see me after class 6. I’ll still take syllabus quizzes, but they’ll be late at this point 7. Participation points start today 8. Cornell Notes…

3. Warm-up: Imagine that you are an alien from another galaxy and you have landed in Southern California. You want to share what you learn of humans with your fellow aliens when you get back. Document some of the behavior that you think you would find. Here are some examples: “People live in small groups in houses or apartments. Young live with old.” “Young people spend their days together in buildings in large groups.” “When people meet, some hold hands and shake them up and down. Others put their arms around each other.” “Older people dress differently from kids.” “Older people teach younger people what is expected.” “People eat together, usually sitting around a table.” “People look at watches and clocks a lot.” Reminder: USE PEN! REPHRASE QUESTION IN ANSWER!

4. Take Cornell Notes…  Culture is defined as: the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that identify a group of people.  Culture includes the language, manners (acceptable vs. unacceptable behavior), traditions, religions, music, food, clothing style, beliefs, symbols, and standards of living that are shared by a group of people (a nation, or a smaller group of people).

5.  Culture usually describes the thoughts, behaviors, beliefs, etc. of a very large group of people, such as an entire country.  Culture can also describe smaller groups of people within a large group.  This is called sub-culture.  For example, in the U.S. culture, we have different age sub-cultures, ethnic sub-cultures, socio-economic sub- cultures, religious sub-cultures, etc.

6.  Culture is passed down from generation to generation.  You may have the same religious views as your parents, as well as the same attitudes about education, about politics, or about what is important in life (i.e. family, wealth, etc.)

7.  Culture also changes a bit in every generation.  For example, cultural has changed dramatically each decade over the past half- century in the U.S. from the 50’s to the 60’s, 60’s to the 70’s, 70’s to the 80’s, 80’s to the 90’s, and the 90’s to the present…

8.  Keep in mind that culture is only ONE thing that impacts how we behave, think, etc.  Be careful to over- generalize by saying things like: “She said that because she is a Canadian” or “he thinks like that because he is Russian”.

9.  With a partner, write down some of the most common and obvious aspects of U.S. culture (each group will focus on one of the following):  Role of family; role of friends  Manners (acceptable vs. unacceptable behavior)  Traditions (things we do every year, every week, every season, etc.) & holidays  Religion  Music, art, literature, dance  Food  Style (clothes, hair-does, etc.)  Beliefs and values  Symbols and gestures (facial expressions, body language)

10.  Sit down with a parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle… anyone 40 or older who you don’t mind spending twenty minutes with!  Interview them about what culture was like when they were growing up.  Ask the questions provided on the worksheet or any others that you can think of that would get them to share aspects of their culture as a child/teenager.  Compare their “youth culture” to your own and write two to three paragraphs about the differences and similarities.  Due Monday!