Chapter 3.1

Understanding Culture

What is Culture?

• Culture-the way of life of people who share similar beliefs and customs– A culture is comprised

of 8 elements

What is Culture?

• Social groups- e.g. rich, poor, and middle classes– Ethnic groups- people

who share a common history, language, religion, and physical characteristics

What is Culture?

• Language- e.g. English, French, Spanish– Dialect- local form of a

language that differs from the same language in other areas

– The most unifying force for a group of people

What is Culture?

• Religion- e.g. Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism

• Gives people meaning

• Helps to define right vs. wrong

• Helps shape different areas of the world

What is Culture?

• Christianity– Christians believe that

Jesus Christ was sent to Earth and died on a cross to save humanity.

What is Culture?

• Buddhism– To escape suffering,

people must follow the eightfold path (rules that lead to morality and wisdom) which leads to a blissful state (nirvana)

What is Culture?

• Hinduism– Believe in

reincarnation (after death the soul is reborn)

What is Culture?

• Islam– Believe in one God,

Allah

– Follow the teachings of the Quran (Koran)

• Of which the teachings Muhammad said were revealed to him by Allah

What is Culture?

• Judaism– Believe in one God,

Yahweh

– By following God’s laws in the Torah (first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible) Jews believe they will have peace with God and one another

What is Culture?

• Daily Life- e.g. how people eat, what foods they eat, clothes, and where they live

What is Culture?

• History- shapes how we view the world– Holidays/celebrations

– Major world events like WWII

– Victories/defeats

– Heroes

– Major disasters

What is Culture?

• Arts- e.g. painting, sculptures, architecture, dance, music, theater

What is Culture?

• Government- creates rules and laws– Democracy- powers rest with the people of the

nation– Dictatorship- absolute rule by a dictator who

usually assumes power by force– Monarchy- kings or queens are born into a

ruling family and inherit their power to rule

What is Culture?

• Economy- how people in society earn a living

What is Culture?

• Cultural diffusion- spreading new knowledge and skills to other cultures

• Culture region- different countries that have common traits– e.g. economies, governments, social groups

Chapter 3.2

Population Patterns

Population Patterns

• Death rate- number of people out of 1,000 who die each year

• Birthrate- number of people born each year for every 1,000 people

Population Patterns

• Since 1950, world food production has increased faster than population on all continents except Africa

• Famine- lack of food

Population Patterns

• Population distribution- where do you want to live?

• Population density- average number of people living in a square mile or kilometer

• (p.88)

Population Patterns

• Urbanization- movement from farms and villages to cities

• Emigrate- leave the country where you are born and move to another

• Refugees- people who flee to another country to escape persecution or disaster

Chapter 3.3

Resources and World Trade

Resources and World Trade

• Natural resources- products of the earth that people use to meet their needs– Renewable resources- cannot be used up or can

be replaced naturally– Nonrenewable resources- minerals found

within the earth that cannot be replaced• Coal, oil

Resources and World Trade

• Economic systems- sets rules for deciding what goods and services to produce, how to produce them, and who receives them

Resources and World Trade

• 4 types of economic systems– Traditional- based on customs handed down

from generation to generation– Command- government makes all decisions– Market- individuals make decisions about what

& how to produce– Mixed- aspects of 2 of the above

Resources and World Trade

• Export- trade TO other countries

• Import- buy FROM another country

Resources and World Trade

• Barriers to trade– tariff- tax added to the price of goods that are

imported– Quota- number limit on how many items can be

imported from another country

Resources and World Trade

• Free Trade- removing trade barriers so that goods flow freely among countries– NAFTA, EU

Resources and World Trade

• Differences in Development– Developed countries- countries that have a

great deal of manufacturing– Developing countries- still working toward

industrialization

Chapter 3.4

Technology Shrinks the World

Effects of Technology

• Information revolution- people can talk instantly with others practically everywhere on earth

Effects of Technology

• Transportation technology

• Communication technology

Globalization

• Civic participation- being an involved citizen– Rights- benefits and protections guaranteed to

you by law– Responsibilities- duties you owe to other

citizens and your government

Globalization

• Interdependence- countries depend on one another for goods, materials, and the markets in which to sell goods

• Globalization- development of a WORLD culture and interdependent economy

• Read p.101