Chapter 2The Human World

S.2 – Global Cultures

Culture

What do you think culture is?

The way of life of a group of people Share similar beliefs and customs Group of people with common

characteristics

Elements of Culture

1. History2. Language3. Religion4. Entertainment/Recreation5. Cultural Expression6. Social Classes 7. Social Groups8. Economic Activities9. Government10. Culture Regions

1. History

For the most part the majority of people within a specific cultural group share a common background

2. Language

Strongest unifying force for culture Through language people communicate

information and experiences and pass on cultural values and traditions

Verbal and Non-verbal

3. Religion

Provides a sense of identity Provides structure for moral values,

celebration of holidays and festivals, etc

World Religions

4. Entertainment

What a cultural group does for fun

5. Cultural Expressions The way a cultural group expresses

their ideas throughout the world In forms of –

Paintings Sculptures Architecture Music Dance

6. Social Classes

Ranking of groups of people based on factors such as: Education Ancestry Wealth

7. Social Groups Family group – most important unit A culture may include people who

belong to different ethnic groups

Ethnic Groups – made up of people who share a common language, history, place of origin, or a combination of all these elements

8. Economic Activities

The way people make a living

9. Government

The type of government that exist within a cultural group influences ways of thought for that particular group

10. Culture Regions A region that includes many different

countries that share similar characteristics such as: Economic systems Forms of govt Social groups Histories Religions

World Culture Regions

Culture

We are very familiar with culture because we see it everyday

Cultural Change

Does culture stay the same?

Internal and external factors are always changing cultures

Internal: new ideas, lifestyles, & inventions External: trade, migration, war

Cultural Diffusion!!! The spread of ideas from one culture to another

Cultural Diffusion

I. Agricultural Revolution – We used to be nomads (people that move from place to place)

The invention of farming allowed people to settle in one place creating CIVILIZATIONS

Cultural Diffusion

Cultural Hearths – centers of civilizations whose ideas and practices spread to surrounding areas

Most influential – Egypt Iraq Pakistan China Mexico

World Culture Hearths

Cultural Diffusion

Trade – the development of civilizations allowed for the creation of technology

The invention of new technology gave way to long distance trade and the spread of ideas

Cultural Diffusion

Permanent Migration – the movement of people gives way to the movement of ideas

Migrants carry their cultures with them, and their ideas and practices often blend with those of the people already living in the migrant’s adopted country

Cultural Diffusion

Industrial & Informational Revolution Industrial – the transformation of

economies led to social changes Informational – globalization!