Transcript Why must we understand culture?

What is Culture?
Created by C. Amaya
Why must we understand culture?
1. To avoid misunderstandings from a lack of
knowledge
– Example: Eleanor who moves here from Hong
Kong
2.
Everyone is born into a culture
– Its inherited by
parents/grandparents
WHO
has culture?
– It shapes our lives
3.
To avoid being ethnocentric; stopping the label of
the “ugly American”
Ethnocentrism – means to judge other cultures
negatively & narrow-mindedly
•
We need to avoid this if possible
Elements of Culture
 Social Organization
Which family structure term
– Family structure
would be used to
• Nuclear family
describe everyone, including:
• Extended family
your parents, siblings,
– Social classes
grandparents, cousins,
• Born into your class in the past
Aunts/uncles, friends, etc…
• Today, there is more opportunity for social mobility
 Customs and Traditions
– Rules of behavior
 Language is the cornerstone of culture
– Identity, expression
Religion
 Cultures usually
share
religious beliefs.
Why has
religion
 Religion helps
people
answer basic
been
the cause
questions about
the meaning
of so many
wars? and purpose
of life.
– Also supports the values a group of people
consider important.
 History has played a central role in shaping
the religion of a society
Religious diversity
 List of major religions:
 Monotheism
– Worship of one god
 Polytheism
– Worship of more than one
god.
 Religion spreads…
 Religious differences still
cause major problems
around the world today.
– Hinduism
– Christianity
– Islam
– Buddhism
– Judaism
Forms of government
 Why are they formed?
 Government:
Types of government:
1.
– people or person who
holds power in a society
– society’s laws and
political institutions
 Who organizes
governments?
Democracy – a
government where the
power rests in the hands
of the people. Govt. can
act only with their
consent.
Autocracy - ruler or small
group of rulers who hold
unlimited power. Usually
rule by force.
Note: There are more specific
types of government
within these 2 categories
2.