Cultural Diversity refers to the wide range of cultural
differences (symbols, values, language, norms) found between and
within nations. Variation may be the result of natural
circumstances (climate, geography) or social circumstances (level
of technology and composition of population).
Slide 3
1. Examine the readings describing unique cultural practices
around the world. 2. Then as a group we will discuss the following:
a. Identify the cultural component. b. Describe its role in the
culture. How does it shape peoples behaviour? c. How does this
cultural component make the culture different from our Canadian
cultural experiences?
Slide 4
Homogenous societies people share a common culture and are from
similar social, religious, political and economic backgrounds. Ex
Sweden Heterogeneous societies people are dissimilar in regard to
social characteristics such as nationality, race, ethnicity, class,
occupation, education. Ex. Canada
Slide 5
Immigration contributes to diversity in a society Over the past
150 years, more than 13 million (legal) immigrants have come to
Canada (see fig 3.1, page 84) Canada has become a complex and
diverse society and has produced subcultures
Slide 6
Complete Canadian Subcultures reading and questions Hutterites
and Skinheads
Slide 7
Culture Shock is the disorientation that people feel when they
encounter cultures radically different from their own Read about
the Yanamamo tribe (pg 87) Has anyone else experienced culture
shock?
Slide 8
Ethnocentrism is the tendency to regard ones own culture and
group as the standard, and thus superior, whereas all other groups
are seen as inferior.
Slide 9
Driving on the left side of the road in England is the wrong
side of the road and driving on the right side in Canada is the
correct side of the road. A Westerner thinking that using
chopsticks at every meal to eat is strange, silly, or a "stupid"
way to eat A Canadian making jokes about the Korean practice of
eating dogs. One of the most well known and the most horrible
examples of ethnocentrism to ever occur was during Nazi Germany.
Adolf Hitler decided that he hated Jews, as well as some other
groups of people, and had many innocent people slaughtered in
concentration camps. They did not deserve the torture that they
received, and this was clearly an extreme case of
ethnocentrism.
Slide 10
Please complete the Ethnocentrism Activity that you are being
given! Use the internet to find your second example.
Slide 11
Cultural Relativism is the belief that the behaviours and
customs of any culture must be viewed and analyzed by the cultures
own standards Examples: In India, cattle are viewed as sacred and
are not eaten. In India there is also widespread hunger. From an
ethnocentric viewpoint, we would conclude that cow worship is the
cause of hunger and poverty in India. However, the Hindu taboo
against killing cattle is very important to their economic system.
Live cows are more valuable than dead ones because they have more
important uses than as a direct source of food. As part of the
ecological system, cows consume grass of little value to humans.
Then they produce two very valuable resources oxen (the neutered
offspring of the cows)to power the plows and manure (for fuel and
fertilizer) as well as milk. Culture should be viewed from the
standpoint of those who live in a particular society.
Slide 12
It may be used to excuse customs and behaviour (such as
cannibalism) that may violate human rights.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmvt bnXBoCQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmvt bnXBoCQ
Slide 13
Cultural Diffusion is the transmission of cultural items or
social practices from one group or society to another. Non-material
examples brought into Canada/US The Spanish Bull Run Comes to
Virginia http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByZZtXOQ2lY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByZZtXOQ2lY The traditional HAKA
Dance
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-lrE2JcO44)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-lrE2JcO44
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHW1K2LeQXE&feature=related)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHW1K2LeQXE&feature=related
Material examples piatas tea cuisine
Slide 14
It is attributed to three factors, transportation, technology,
and better education. Because all three of those things are on the
rise, cultures diffuse more and more each day. Cultural diffusion
can be separated into six groups, Social, Political, Religious,
Intellectual, Technological, and Economic.
Slide 15
This picture shows MacDonald's in Saudi Arabia MacDonald's is
an American restaurant that has expanded to have locations in 119
countries. There are similar examples of this cultural diffusion in
Canada, where it is easy to find ethnic restaurants that serve
foreign food.
Slide 16
This picture shows several world leaders gathered together
Because of the technology and transportation advances in recent
decades, world leaders are able to meet more often United Nations
Conferences, G8, World Trade Organization, etc.
Slide 17
This picture shows American Muslims. Many years ago, Islam was
almost exclusively found in Africa and the Middle East. However,
through cultural diffusion, Muslims are now found everywhere in the
world, including North and South America, Asia, and Europe. Because
of advances in transportation and education, Muslims are able to
live wherever they want.
Slide 18
This graph shows the rising literacy rates of Pakistan over the
last several decades. Literacy is on the rise in developing
countries because of cultural diffusion. The education systems of
developed countries are starting to transfer to developing
countries, resulting in higher literacy rates. Without cultural
diffusion, it is unlikely that we would see this same rise in
literacy.
Slide 19
This picture shows Kygryz herders taking pictures with their
cell phones. The Kygryz people live in the mountains of northeast
Afghanistan, and are completely isolated from the rest of the
world. However, the Kygryz herders do use cellphones to take
pictures and play music (they are useless for communication because
cellular service doesn't reach them). This is an example of
cultural diffusion through technology, because this picture shows
that even the most isolated people in the world still use
cellphones.
Slide 20
This map of international trading blocs Today's transportation
means that it is not uncommon for products to be manufactured in
many faraway countries. For instance, the shirt you are wearing was
probably not manufactured in Canada, but somewhere in Asia. Because
it is now common to use products that were manufactured all over
the world, economics are very heavily affected by cultural
diffusion.
Slide 21
Read Cultural Diffusion or Cultural Confusion handout.
Viewpoint: Saudi Women should not drive
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15123076
Slide 22
Cultures do not remain static For example: the evolution of
technology has changed the material culture of society
Slide 23
When change occurs in the material culture of society,
nonmaterial must adapt Frequently this rate of change is uneven,
resulting in a gap. This disparity is referred to as cultural lag a
gap between the technical development of a society and its moral
and legal institutions
Slide 24
The PC (material) and electronic coding have made it possible
to create a unique health identifier for each person in Canada. It
is possible to create a national data bank that includes
everybody's medical records from birth to death. Using this
identifier, health providers and insurance companies could rapidly
transfer medical records around the globe and researchers could
access unlimited data on peoples disease, test results and
treatment. However, the availability of technology does not mean
that it will be accepted by people who believe (non-material) that
such a national bank would constitute invasion of privacy and could
be easily abused by others.
