1. What is Worldview?
What is Worldview?

2. Worldview Is…
The beliefs that we have about reality and the nature of human life. It is the lens through which we perceive, identify and communicate who we are.
Our worldview shapes our behavior and all the decisions that we make.
A worldview should answer the basic questions:
“Who are we?”
“Where do we come from?”
“How do we manage our lives?”
“Where are we going?”

3. Worldview is… Point of View
Point of view is the way you see things as an individual
Your point of view is made up of opinions and preferences held and expressed by you, as an individual
i.e. Some of you may think that Christmas is your favourite holiday while others like Halloween better

4. Worldview is… Perspective
Perspective is a point of view that a group of people share
A perspective is the collective point of view of a specific group.
Note: A perspective can be expressed by a member of the group who has the ability to speak for others.

5. So… Worldview is…
A collection of beliefs about life and the universe held by an individual or a group; the overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world.
Our worldview includes perspective and point of view
Worldview is not static and is constantly changing over time with new experiences

6. A Closer Look at Worldview
Tells what is important (our values)
Tells us what is right and wrong (our beliefs)
Tells us what to remember in our past (what is important)

7. A Closer Look at Worldview
WORLDVIEW is often told or passed on in stories.
First Nations stories tell of the past and their purpose, of their relationships to nature, explain the cycles of life and their responsibilities to nature
Canadian writers such as Pierre Berton express the Canadian worldview and national identity

8. Canadian Worldview
Canadians share some or all of the following characteristics, beliefs and values:
Universal programs to care for all (healthcare, education, social assistance, pensions, minimum wage)
Peacekeepers & peacemakers; not militaristic
Debate then decide
Spirit of working together, spirit of confederation
Value diversity
Laws guide us
Protection of our rights and freedoms
Take time to make decisions, negotiate, & not be overly aggressive
ANY OTHER IDEAS??????

9. Traditional Aboriginal Worldview
Elders are respected for their wisdom.
Governing is through agreement, not control of leader.
All life is sacred and equally important.
People are connected to the community and ancestors.
Human experience includes spiritual, physical, emotional and mental aspects.
Life is a circle; time moves through cycles.
All forms of life are connected in a constantly changing, balanced relationship.
The well- being of the Earth is essential for our survival and our children's.

10. A Western Worldview All people are to be treated as equals.
Individuality is important.
Freedom of speech & religion are important rights.
Families are an important social unit.
Basic education should be available to all.
Gaining wealth is important in order to have a pleasant & comfortable life.
Humans are superior to all other life forms.
Time is broken down into units by which lives are organized.
Science explains the world and makes it a better place.

11. Your Worldview Can Change . . . How?
Acceptance of new technology (WWW, printing press, jet travel)
2. A leader mandating and maintaining policies ( Hitler, France- Language police)
Conflict and conquest (Spanish/Aztecs, Romans/Greeks)
4. Gradual adaptation (Materialism, open access to information)

12. Worldview Icon Elements
Geography-climate, location, land
Time-mechanical/natural
Beliefs-life/death/environment???
Society-roles available, power, status, benefits
Values-how do people act
Economy-control of resources
Knowledge-developed, accepted, valued, controlled

13. GEOGRAPHY
WHAT ROLE DO GEOGRAPHICAL FACTORS PLAY IN HOW PEOPLE LOOK AT THE WORLD
AND BEHAVE IN IT?
Where a group lives
The climate
Land formations
Plants and animals
Bodies of water
Natural resources

14. TIME IN WHAT TERMS IS TIME VIEWED BY THE SOCIETY? Hectic vs Laid Back
Mechanical (Schedules//Clocks) vs Natural (Seasons, Sun/Moon)

15. SOCIETY WHAT ROLES ARE AVAILABLE TO INDIVIDUALS IN SOCIETY?
WHO HOLDS THE POWER?
Equal power for all or distinct differences
Way of life of a group of people
(language, rules of behavior, government,
religion, arts, literature, sciences , traditions and everyday aspects of life we can observe).

16. VALUES HOW DO PEOPLE IN SOCIETY ACT TOWARD ONE ANOTHER?
HOW DO PEOPLE ACT TOWARD PEOPLE IN OTHER SOCIETIES/GROUPS?

17. BELIEFS WHAT BELIEFS DO PEOPLE HOLD ABOUT LIFE /DEATH/ENVIRONMENT?
Tells us what is right and wrong
Tells us what things are important to us (the environment)

18. ECONOMY WHO CONTROLS THE RESOURCES? WHAT IS TO BE PRODUCED?
HOW WILL IT BE DISTRIBUTED AND PROTECTED?

19. KNOWLEDGE HOW DO PEOPLE DEVELOP KNOWLEDGE?
WHAT WAYS OF KNOWING ARE ACCEPTED?
WHO HAS ACCESS TO KNOWLEDGE?
HOW IS KNOWLEDGE VALUED?
WHERE AND IN WHOM DOES THE KNOWLEDGE RESIDE?

20. WORLDVIEW ORGANIZATIONAL CHART –
WHAT INFLUENCES OUR THOUGHTS?

21. WORLDVIEW OF CANADA
Think about how we view ourselves as Canadians and we view the world.
Watch the video on the next slide to see if this is an accurate representation of our worldview of Canada.
Record your ideas on the” What is Worldview?” sheet in the CANADA column.
Be sure to include other ideas you may have regarding the elements of worldview.

22. CANADA WORLDVIEW VIDEO

23. WORLDVIEW OF DARFUR
Think about how we view other countries/regions that may have different beliefs from us.
Watch the video on the next slide about Darfur and fill in as much of the chart in the DARFUR column as you can.
The same elements/categories of worldview are expressed. You may have to watch it a few times to try to understand what is being shown. Maybe you need to learn more about Darfur before you can make clear opinions?

24. DARFUR WORLDVIEW VIDEO

25. STILL HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT DARFUR?
Last week we started to find out more info about Darfur. Some of the main questions we were looking to answer included:
Where is Darfur? (A region in Sudan)
Why are they living in these desperate conditions? (Genocide against Non-Arab citizens resulting in war and poverty.)
Watch the videos on the next slide to try to help you fill in your worldview charts more thoroughly.
Have your “What is Worldview?” charts out ready to add info to each category as you see evidence to support these ideas.

26. DARFUR VIDEOS
Darfur in 10 Minutes (From the filmmaker’s point of view) g
Darfurian Voices (From the Darfurian’s perspective)
A&list=UU0ASKqJv-gBiq_18-Y8KpkQ

27. COMPLETE THE CHART WITH A PARTNER
WORLDVIEW
ELEMENT
CANADA
DARFUR
YOUR WORLDVIEW
GEOGRAPHY
TIME
SOCIETY
VALUES
BELIEFS
ECONOMY
KNOWLEDGE

28. EXTENDING OUR WORLDVIEW OF OTHER COUNTRIES AND REGIONS
Now that you have compared the worldview of Canada and Darfur, think of another country or region that you would like to know more about.
Over the next few days, you will need to research this country and discover the worldview of that country by learning more about the country’s elements of worldview.
(Geography, Time, Society, Values, Beliefs, Economy, Knowledge)
After you have gathered your evidence, you will visually represent what you found and present it to the class.

29. WORLDVIEW PROJECT STEP 1:
Choose a country or region that you want to learn more about.
STEP 2:
Think about why you want to learn more about that country. Why are you so curious about it? Do you have access to enough resources to learn more about the country?
STEP 3:
Start researching about your country, using the elements of worldview as your categories, and record your sources. Decide how you are going to organize your information. Chart? Notes with headings??.

30. WORLDVIEW PROJECT…CONT’D
STEP 4:
Choose a way to represent your ideas visually to present to the class.
STEP 5;
Create your project and ensure that all required information is included.
STEP 6:
Revise and edit your project to ensure it is your best work.
HAPPY RESEARCHING!

31. SAMPLE CHART FOR WORLDVIEW PROJECT
WORLDVIEW ELEMENT
INFO GATHERED
SOURCE
GEOGRAPHY
TIME
SOCIETY
VALUES
BELIEFS
ECONOMY
KNOWLEDGE