Cultural Universalsclass notes

Matthew Ripley-MoffittWorld CulturesCary Academy

Cultural UniversalsCultural Universals allow us to

compare and contrast some important

similarities and differences between

different human cultures that have

lived in different places and in

different times during human history.

Some definitions:• Culture: the ideas, customs, skills,

beliefs, arts, and social organization of a particular people in a particular time.

• Civilization: the total culture of a particular people in a particular time.

• History: a recording, analyzing, coordinating, and explaining of particular events of particular civilizations and cultures during the time of the human past.

Basic Needs:• The production and provision of

those basic elements which are necessary to sustain and enhance human life, individually and communally.

• Includes: food & water; agricultural production; housing; love; clothing and adornment; healthcare.

Basic Needs:

• Draw an icon to represent Basic Needs on your Student Notes page

Economics:• The system of exchanging goods and

services within and among cultures; often involving a monetary system.

• Includes: Technology (tools); Trade & Barter; Currency; Distribution of Labor; Transportation; Types of Jobs.

Economics:

• Draw an icon to represent Economics on your Student Notes page

Communications:• Transmitting or exchanging

information and meaning through signals, speech, symbols, gestures, and written language.

• Includes: Language, Symbol, Literature, Number System.

Communications:

• Draw an icon to represent Communications on your Student Notes page

Social Structure:• The organization of ranks, rules,

roles, expectations, etiquette, and activities of humans living in a particular culture.

• Includes: social categories; family groups; education; social rules and ceremonies; social pyramid; and rites of passage.

Social Structure:

• Draw an icon to represent Social Structure on your Student Notes page

Government:• The right, function, or power of exercising

authority within a particular culture.

• Includes: type and organization of political authority; political leaders, geographic boundaries; rights; laws; war; and peace.

Government:

• Draw an icon to represent Government on your Student Notes page

Religion & Shared Beliefs:

• The system of beliefs, practices, philosophy, and ethical values which gives order and meaning to human life in a particular culture.

• Includes: Practices, ceremonies & rituals; sacred writings; values; meaning of life; creation stories.

Religion & Shared Beliefs:

• Draw an icon to represent Religion & Shared Beliefs on your Student Notes page

Arts & Recreation:• The human ability to make things, and the

principles of craft professions in a particular culture.

• Includes: the production of craft goods; sports & games; art, music, dance, drama; the use of leisure time.

Arts & Recreation:

•Draw an icon to represent Arts & Recreation on your Student Notes page