1. Multicultural/Homogeneous Societies

2. Ethnic Group
In looking at cultures, it is important to consider how a culture treats its ethnic and religious minorities. An ethnic group refers to a group of people with a common ancestry and a common culture, most often based on religion and language. Around the world, there are two basic types of societies:
Homogeneous
Multicultural/ heterogeneous

3. Multicultural/Heterogeneous
Multicultural or heterogeneous societies contain a mix of peoples and cultures. Ethnic groups are often mixed throughout the country, as in the United States and Brazil. Sometimes an ethnic group is connected to a particular region, like the Kurds in northern Iraq.

4. Minority
Even in multicultural societies, there is usually one dominant ethnic group and several minorities. A minority is any ethnic or religious group other than the dominant group. Some societies, like the United States, protect the rights of ethnic and religious minorities. In other societies, minorities are not protected, and may even be persecuted.

5. Homogenous
In homogeneous societies, like Saudi Arabia, almost everyone belongs to the same ethnic group and shares the same language and traditions. Japan is another example of a highly homogenous society. Non-Japanese, mostly Koreans and Chinese, make up only about one percent of Japan’s population. The rest of Japan’s population has the same common ancestry.
Ethnic Group- A group of people with a common ancestry and culture.

6. Station A
With your table group brainstorm ideas for the following and write them in your station A box.
1. List examples of culture traits that spread.
2. List examples of specific culture traits in the United States. (Example: English)
3. Do you think the United States is homogeneous or multicultural?
I think the United States is…

7. Station B- Cultural Connections
Read the sentence about each nation and decide if they are heterogeneous or homogeneous. Write the nations name and if it is heterogeneous or homogeneous next to it.
Japan- The majority of the people speak Japanese, and follow the religion of Buddhism.
United States- In the United States has the main language of English but people also speak Spanish, Japanese, German, French, and many others. In the United States you will find churches, temples, and mosques.
In China the main language is Chinese, however more and more people are learning English. Many people in China are Buddhist but you will also find Confucianism and Taoism.

8. Station C- Cause and Effect
Read the paragraph below and complete the multi-flow map AND answer the question in box c on your paper.
In the ’s European settlers from Britain, Spain and France chose to migrate to the New World, settled in North America and created colonies. These settlements were located in modern day United States. Overtime the settlements grew and the population expanded. Later, in the 1700’s there was a mass of Africans that were forced to migrate to North America through slavery. Many of these Africans spoke tribal languages and practiced animistic religions. Many of the African people used drums and heavy beats in the music that they sang. After America gained independence from Great Britain the United States colonies purchased the center portion of the modern day United States from France in the Louisiana Purchase in The people who were living in the Louisiana territory at that time were descendent from French cultural groups. In the late 1800’s immigrants from China began to move to the United States in order to work on the railroad that was being built across the continent of North America. They created communities where they lived and worked. In addition, in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s immigrants from European countries came to the United States seeking political, religious and economic freedom. They came from countries such as Ireland, Germany, Poland, Russia and many others. People from Ireland came to the United States in search of food and resources due to the potato famine in their nation. These people built communities where they lived, communicated and worked together. They introduced their foods and traditions such as Polka music and sausage from Germany. In the last 20 years there has been an increase of immigrants from Africa and Mexico to the United States. These people are seeking better opportunities, jobs, and often times safety for their families.
Settlers from Europe brought the languages of English, French and Spanish.
Today in the United States the main language is English but there are many other languages spoken.
Explain how these cultural groups impacted the culture of the United States today. (2 sentences)
United States is a multicultural society.

9. Louisiana Purchase
American Colonies
African Slaves
Immigrants taking US Oath
European Immigrants
Chinese Immigrants

10. Station D- Problems faced in multicultural societies
Throughout history there have been societies that have faced problems because they are multicultural. For example, in some societies the minorities (smaller groups of people) are treated unfairly. In South Africa in the 1900’s there was a segregation of black and white South Africans. This was called Apartheid. Black South Africans were treated unfairly by the government. A man by the name of Nelson Mandela peacefully opposed the Apartheid and desired for all people to be treated equally. Another example of discrimination occurred in the early and mid 1900’s in the United States with the segregation of blacks and whites. Blacks were often not allowed to vote, eat at the same restaurants and were required to give up their seat on the bus if a white person got on. A man by the name of Martin Luther King Jr. peacefully opposed the segregation of blacks and whites in America and desired for all people to be treated equally. Sometimes actions against minority groups can become extreme. There have been times in history when groups will try to eliminate or exterminate a minority group. A well know example occurred in Europe when Nazi troops tried to exterminate the Jews and killed over 6 million people. A current example of this type of threat has occurred in the Middle East as ISIS is trying to kill all people who do not follow their religious and cultural beliefs.
Explain some of the issues that can occur when you have a multicultural society.
A few issues that can occur in a multicultural society include…
Explain why these problems are faced in a multicultural society.
I believe that segregation and genocide can happen in multicultural societies because…

11. Apartheid in Africa
Segregation in US
ISIS in Middle East
Jews in Nazi Germany Concentration Camps

12. Station E- Impact of multicultural societies
In box E on your paper answer the following question.
Explain how a heterogeneous society is different from a homogeneous society. (You can create a double bubble, Venn diagram or write 2 sentences.)
A heterogeneous society is different from a homogeneous society because…
Explain how the United States has been impacted by different cultures both past and present.
The United States has been impacted by different cultures…