CULTURE: is the knowledge, language, values, customs, and material objects that are passed from person to person and from one generation to the next in a human group or society.

Cultural Traditions

Culture is essential for our individual survival and our communication with others.

We rely on culture because we are not born with the information to survive.

We learn about culture through interaction, observation, and imitation in order to participate as members of a group.

Culture simplifies day to day interaction.

Not only is it essential for individuals but for the survival of societies.◦ Rules, norms, laws, customs

QUIZ:HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT

CULTURE AND INTOLERANCE TOWARDS OTHERS?

1. Canadians generally see themselves as tolerant of other cultures and intolerant of racism.

Canadians generally see themselves as tolerant of other cultures. Yet they are also aware that racism is a serious problem in Canada. Sociologists identify this as a paradox of Canadian society.

2. In recent years, the number of reported attacks in Canada against persons because of their race, religion, or ethnic origin has INCREASED.

Even though such incidents are seriously underreported in Canada, statistics indicate that the number of reported hate or bias crimes has increased in recent years.

3. It is illegal to be a member of a racist organization.

As provided for in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, individuals have the right to belong to any organization they choose to join.

4. As the rate of immigration to Canada has increased in recent years, anti-immigrant feelings have risen.

Polls show that high rates of immigration, combined with a tightening economy, are related to an increase in anti-immigrant sentiment.

5. The majority of hate crimes in Canada are directed against racial minorities.

Recent statistics indicate that in one year, 61 percent of hate-crime incidents reported to police were directed against racial minorities, 23 percent against religious minorities, 11 percent against gays or lesbians, and 5 percent against ethnic minorities.

6. Incidents of violence targeting Muslim, Arab, And South Asian Canadians increased dramatically in the aftermath of September 11th.

In the first few weeks following the bombing of the World Trade Center, the Canadian Race Relations Foundation noted incidents of bomb threats, physical assaults, and harassment targeting these groups.

7. Communities with greater proportions of visible-minority immigrants are generally more tolerant of racial and ethnic differences.

According to the Economic Council of Canada’s report on changing attitudes toward prejudice, communities with more visible minorities expressed the most tolerant attitudes.

8. A recent national survey found that the majority of respondents accept the concept of Canada as a cultural mosaic.

Nearly 75 percent of 1200 Canadians surveyed in a recent poll rejected the concept of Canada as a multicultural mosaic.

What is it??Because of improvements in transportation, communications, international business and politics, our world seems to be growing smaller and smaller.

With the world growing seemingly smaller everyday, learning about cultural diversity, within our own nation and globally becomes important for our individual and collective well-being.

Read page 65-66. What examples does the text give as to how culture can serve to have a negative effect on a group/society?

What is Material Culture? Examples?

What is Non-Material Culture? Examples?

Positive Negative

-Can be a stabilizing force.-Sense of continuity.-Essential for communication.-Essential for survival of individuals and societies.-Combined with social learning, account for all of our behavior patterns.

-Can generate conflict…even violence, based on different ideas of culture and worldviews.-Individualism, competition, and consumerism.

Consists of the physical or tangible creations that members of a society make, use, and share.

Examples:

Consists of the abstract or intangible human creations of society that influence people’s behaviour.

Examples:

“Customs and practices that occur across all societies.

All humans face basic needs and engage in similar activities.

Anthropologist George Murdock compiled a list of 70 of these.

Appearance Bodily adornment, hairstyles

Activities Sports, dancing, games, joking, visiting

Social institutions Family, law, religion

Customary practices Cooking, folklore, gift giving, hospitality

FUNCTIONALIST CONFLICT

-Ensure smooth and continual operation of society:

•New members must be taught the ways of the group.•Helps settle disputes.•Individual needs balanced with those of the society.

-These practices have been imposed by members of one society on members of another.-Examples:

• Conquering nations• Settlers