1. Unit I
Society and Culture

2. Objectives Students will be able to: Define culture
Explain the characteristics of culture
Illustrate the characteristics of culture
Compare and contrast cultures
Defend their knowledge of culture and it’s characteristics
Create a concept map for culture

3. I. What is culture?
The body of customary beliefs, material traits, and social forms that together constitute the distinct tradition of a group of people.
Origin
Latin
“to care for”
To care about
To adore or worship something
To take care of
To nurse or look after something

4. II. Elements of Culture Social Organization
When a culture organizes its members into smaller groups
What might some smaller groups be in a culture?
Family is the most important unit of social organization
Nuclear family – husband, wife and children
Extended family – several generations in one household
Social Classes a way to rank people in order of status
What can social class be based on?

5. II. Elements of Culture Customs and Traditions Language
Rules of behavior (written and unwritten)
What are some examples of customs and traditions in culture?
Language
Important for communication and passing on traditions and beliefs
Should English be the official language of the United States?

6. II. Elements of Culture Arts and Literature Religion
Teach about a culture’s values
Promote cultural pride and unity
What some examples in America of arts and literature that promote values, pride, and unity?
Religion
Monotheism – belief in one god
Polytheism – belief in more than one god
Henotheism - belief in one god without denying the existence of others
What examples of religion in the United States?

7. II. Elements of Culture Forms of Government
People form governments to provide for their common needs
Types
Democracy: people have supreme power
Republic: people choose leaders to represent them
Dictatorship: a ruler or group holds power by force

8. II. Elements of Culture Economic systems Four types
Traditional: people produce most of what they need to survive
Market: basic economic questions are answered by buying/selling goods and services
Command: government controls answers to economic questions
Mixed: individuals make some economic decisions, the government makes others
What type of economic system does the United States utilize? Explain.

9. III. Ways cultures change
Technology
Environment changes
New ideas
Diffusion - movement of customs and ideas from one place to another

10. IV. Impacts on culture Ethnocentrism Racism
Judging other cultures by the standards of your own
Assuming your own culture to be the best
Racism
Belief that one racial group is naturally superior to another
Race is a culture thing. It does not actually, physically exist

11. Assignment Create a concept map of culture Language
Social Organizations
Culture
Use the examples we generated in class, and create some of your own. BE CREATIVE!