Unit 2 - Culture

What do you consider culture?

Outcomes

2.1 demonstrate an understanding of the concept of culture Describe various elements of culture (e.g., symbols, language,

norms, and values). Investigate various theoretical perspectives and viewpoints that

attempt to explain culture (e.g., structural functionalism, conflict, symbolic interactionism, feminism and post-modern) as well as cultural materialism and sociobiology.

Apply these theoretical perspectives to given cultural scenarios. Evaluate influences that shape their cultural identity.

Outcomes

2.2 analyze factors related to cultural variation Examine factors that contribute to cultural variation. Investigate the role of ethnocentrism, cultural

relativism, and dominant culture in cultural variation. Compare pluralism to multiculturalism in a Canadian

context. Investigate the existence of subcultures and

countercultures in Canadian society.

Outcomes

2.3 analyze factors related to cultural uniformity Examine factors that contribute to cultural uniformity. Investigate the role of popular culture in fostering cultural

uniformity. Formulate a hypothesis regarding the beneficial and/or

detrimental effects of cultural assimilation. Compare the attributes of cultural uniformity with those of

cultural variation. Examine the concepts of “dominant culture” and

“multiculturalism” within the context of Canadian Society.

Outcomes

2.4 investigate the process of cultural change Analyze factors that contribute to the process of

cultural change. Describe the role of cultural lag and cultural diffusion

in the process of cultural change. Assess society’s response to the process of cultural

change. Evaluate the beneficial and detrimental effects of

cultural change.

So, What is Culture?

WHY IS THIS THING SO HARD TO DEFINE?

What is Culture?Please put this in your notes!

Culture is the combined thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs of a group of people who tend to live in the same geographic area.

Although cultures begin within specific geographic locations, they can spread across the globe due to voluntary or forced migration.

Culture is expressed through a variety of methods including dress, language, religion, and food.

Cultural Expression Tower

Food Geography Language Religion Dress Architecture

My Cultural Expression Tower

Homemade bread and tea Rocks and ocean Whur ya to? Lapsed Catholic Skirts, dresses, t-shirts Old, small houses

(now apt.)

Cultural Stereotypes

Cultural Stereotypes, or National Character? Are generalizations about national groups

just caricatures?

How can stereotypes be harmful?

“I am…” Poem

An “I am…” poem is a poem that is all about you and the things that you are.

This particular “I am…” poem is going to be about your cultural identity.

Using the starter “I am…” finish the sentence with something that describes you in terms of your culture, how you define yourself.

My “I am…” Poem

I am an older sisterI am from I.A.M, NewfoundlandI am fish and brewis, molasses

buns, and baloney stew I am losing my accentI am Terry’s young maidI am a terrible Roman CatholicI am brightly painted wooden

houses and doriesI am skirts and cardigansI am great music, funny TV, and

hilariously terrible moviesI am a 3.97 GPA in my last two

semesters of my undergradI am not getting enough sleep.

Ever.

Now it’s your turn!

Get something to write on and something to write with and create your own “I am…” poem.

Be sure to think about the tower of cultural expression (but feel free to write about what you feel is culturally relevant to you) :

Food Geography Language Religion Dress Architecture

8-10 lines, no more than 15 please! Be prepared to share! I won’t force anyone but participation is

an expectation! This is formative, so I will be collecting these.