What is Worldview?

What is Worldview?

Worldview Is… The beliefs that we have about reality and the

nature of human life. It is the lens through which we perceive, identify and communicate

who we are.

Our worldview shapes our behavior and all the decisions that we make.

A worldview should answer the basic questions:

“Who are we?” “Where do we come from?”

“How do we manage our lives?” “Where are we going?”

Worldview is… Point of View Point of view is the way you see things as an

individual

Your point of view is made up of opinions and preferences held and expressed by you, as an individual

i.e. Some of you may think that Christmas is your favourite holiday while others like Halloween better

Worldview is… Perspective Perspective is a point of view that a group of people

share

A perspective is the collective point of view of a specific group.

Note: A perspective can be expressed by a member of the group who has the ability to speak for others.

So… Worldview is… A collection of beliefs about life and the universe held by

an individual or a group; the overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world.

Our worldview includes perspective and point of view

Worldview is not static and is constantly changing over time with new experiences

A Closer Look at Worldview WORLDVIEW:

Tells what is important (our values)

Tells us what is right and wrong (our beliefs)

Tells us what to remember in our past (what is important)

A Closer Look at WorldviewWORLDVIEW is often told or passed on in

stories.

First Nations stories tell of the past and their purpose, of their relationships to nature, explain the cycles of life and their responsibilities to nature

Canadian writers such as Pierre Berton express the Canadian worldview and national identity

Canadian Worldview Canadians share some or all of the following

characteristics, beliefs and values:

• Universal programs to care for all (healthcare, education, social assistance, pensions, minimum wage)

• Peacekeepers & peacemakers; not militaristic• Debate then decide• Spirit of working together, spirit of confederation• Value diversity• Laws guide us• Protection of our rights and freedoms• Take time to make decisions, negotiate, & not be overly

aggressive

• ANY OTHER IDEAS??????

Traditional Aboriginal Worldview Elders are respected for their wisdom. Governing is through agreement, not

control of leader. All life is sacred and equally important. People are connected to the community

and ancestors. Human experience includes spiritual,

physical, emotional and mental aspects. Life is a circle; time moves through cycles. All forms of life are connected in a

constantly changing, balanced relationship.

The well- being of the Earth is essential for our survival and our children's.

A Western Worldview All people are to be treated as equals. Individuality is important. Freedom of speech & religion are

important rights. Families are an important social unit. Basic education should be available to all. Gaining wealth is important in order to have a

pleasant & comfortable life. Humans are superior to all other life forms. Time is broken down into units by which lives

are organized. Science explains the world and makes it a better

place.

Your Worldview Can Change . . . How?

1. Acceptance of new technology (WWW, printing press, jet travel)

2. A leader mandating and maintaining policies ( Hitler, France- Language police)

3. Conflict and conquest (Spanish/Aztecs, Romans/Greeks)

4. Gradual adaptation (Materialism, open access to information)

Worldview Icon Elements Geography-climate,

location, land Time-mechanical/

natural Beliefs-life/death/

environment??? Society-roles available,

power, status, benefits Values-how do people

act Economy-control of

resources Knowledge-developed,

accepted, valued, controlled

GEOGRAPHYWHAT ROLE DO GEOGRAPHICAL FACTORS PLAY IN HOW PEOPLE LOOK AT THE WORLD AND BEHAVE IN IT?Where a group livesThe climateLand formationsPlants and animalsBodies of waterNatural resources

TIMEIN WHAT TERMS IS TIME VIEWED BY THE SOCIETY?Hectic vs Laid BackMechanical (Schedules//Clocks) vs Natural (Seasons, Sun/Moon)

SOCIETY

WHAT ROLES ARE AVAILABLE TO INDIVIDUALS IN SOCIETY?

WHO HOLDS THE POWER?Equal power for all or distinct differencesWay of life of a group of people (language, rules of behavior, government, religion, arts, literature, sciences , traditions and everyday aspects of life we can observe).

VALUESHOW DO PEOPLE IN SOCIETY ACT TOWARD ONE ANOTHER?

HOW DO PEOPLE ACT TOWARD PEOPLE IN OTHER SOCIETIES/GROUPS?

BELIEFSWHAT BELIEFS DO PEOPLE HOLD ABOUT LIFE /DEATH/ENVIRONMENT?Tells us what is right and wrongTells us what things are important to us (the environment)

ECONOMYWHO CONTROLS THE RESOURCES?

WHAT IS TO BE PRODUCED?

HOW WILL IT BE DISTRIBUTED AND PROTECTED?

KNOWLEDGEHOW DO PEOPLE DEVELOP KNOWLEDGE?

WHAT WAYS OF KNOWING ARE ACCEPTED?

WHO HAS ACCESS TO KNOWLEDGE?

HOW IS KNOWLEDGE VALUED?

WHERE AND IN WHOM DOES THE KNOWLEDGE RESIDE?

WORLDVIEW ORGANIZATIONAL CHART – WHAT INFLUENCES OUR THOUGHTS?

WORLDVIEW OF CANADA Think about how we view ourselves as

Canadians and we view the world. Watch the video on the next slide to

see if this is an accurate representation of our worldview of Canada.

Record your ideas on the” What is Worldview?” sheet in the CANADA column.

Be sure to include other ideas you may have regarding the elements of worldview.

CANADA WORLDVIEW VIDEO

WORLDVIEW OF DARFUR Think about how we view other

countries/regions that may have different beliefs from us.

Watch the video on the next slide about Darfur and fill in as much of the chart in the DARFUR column as you can.

The same elements/categories of worldview are expressed. You may have to watch it a few times to try to understand what is being shown. Maybe you need to learn more about Darfur before you can make clear opinions?

DARFUR WORLDVIEW VIDEO

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT DARFUR?

Last week we started to find out more info about Darfur. Some of the main questions we were looking to answer included:Where is Darfur? (A region in Sudan)Why are they living in these desperate conditions? (Genocide against Non-Arab citizens resulting in war and poverty.)Watch the videos on the next slide to try to help you fill in your worldview charts more thoroughly.Have your “What is Worldview?” charts out ready to add info to each category as you see evidence to support these ideas.

DARFUR VIDEOS

Darfur in 10 Minutes (From the filmmaker’s point of view)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USLDoIiFzzg

Darfurian Voices (From the Darfurian’s perspective)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g4ZQ0D50fA&list=UU0ASKqJv-gBiq_18-Y8KpkQ

COMPLETE THE CHART WITH A PARTNER

WORLDVIEWELEMENT

CANADA DARFUR YOUR WORLDVIEW

GEOGRAPHY

TIME

SOCIETY

VALUES

BELIEFS

ECONOMY

KNOWLEDGE

EXTENDING OUR WORLDVIEW OF OTHER COUNTRIES AND REGIONS

Now that you have compared the worldview of Canada and Darfur, think of another country or region that you would like to know more about.

Over the next few days, you will need to research this country and discover the worldview of that country by learning more about the country’s elements of worldview.

(Geography, Time, Society, Values, Beliefs, Economy, Knowledge)

After you have gathered your evidence, you will visually represent what you found and present it to the class.

WORLDVIEW PROJECTSTEP 1:Choose a country or region that you want to learn more about. STEP 2:Think about why you want to learn more about that country. Why are you so curious about it? Do you have access to enough resources to learn more about the country?STEP 3:Start researching about your country, using the elements of worldview as your categories, and record your sources. Decide how you are going to organize your information. Chart? Notes with headings??.

WORLDVIEW PROJECT…CONT’D

STEP 4:Choose a way to represent your ideas visually to present to the class.STEP 5;Create your project and ensure that all required information is included.STEP 6:Revise and edit your project to ensure it is your best work.

HAPPY RESEARCHING!

SAMPLE CHART FOR WORLDVIEW PROJECT

WORLDVIEW ELEMENT

INFO GATHERED SOURCE

GEOGRAPHY

TIME

SOCIETY

VALUES

BELIEFS

ECONOMY

KNOWLEDGE