ELEMENTS OF CULTURE

Introduction Lesson 1

Objectives

Identify the major elements of culture. Explore the types of govt and

economies that have developed. Describe factors that cause cultures to

change.

Warm Up

Pick a part of the world and list 3 things you’d like to learn about the lives of the people who live there.

Culture How would you

define culture?

“Elements of culture”?

All things that make up a people’s way of life.

Social org, customs, language, arts & lit, religion, govt, economy

Religion Meaning & purpose

of life Values

Monotheism vs. Polytheism

Major world religions?JudaismChristianityIslamHinduismBuddhism

T-P-S: “Think-Pair-Share” Religious

differences often fuel conflict. Can you provide any examples?

N.Ireland Protestants & Catholics

Middle East Jews & Muslims

Indian Hindus & Muslims (Kashmir)

Russian Christians and Chechen Muslims

African Christians & Muslims (Sudan)

Government Person/People in Power, Laws & Institutions Purpose?

Order & Security

Major TypesDemocracy – People govern

○ Republic – Elect officialsMonarchy – King/Queen/EmperorDictatorship – Rule by one or small group

○ “Democratic Republics” – are neither!

Economy How society

manages limited resources to satisfy unlimited wants & needs

3 Basic Questions:What to produce?How to produce?For whom to

produce?

Economic Systems

Traditional EconRelies on custom, subsistence (survival)

Market EconRelies on consumer choice (buy & sell)

Command EconGovt controls production & cost

Mixed EconGovt involvement in markets

S-A-T: “Stop and Think”

Describe 3 elements that help give a culture its identity.

Religion

Government

Economy

Language

Arts, Lit, Customs

Cultural Change What factors cause

cultures to change?

Technology

Environment

DiffusionMvmt of ideas from

one place to another○ War & Conquest○ Travel & Trade

Cultural Change

New transportation & communication rapidly increase contact & change

Benefits?More goods & ideas to more people

Drawbacks?Threatens foundations/traditionsShare bad things (disease, econ collapse)

Closure Why is it important

to increase awareness of other cultures?

Tolerance & acceptance

End ethnocentrism / racism

Interconnectedness