Elements of CultureWorld Geography

#1=Social Organization

The way a culture divides its society into smaller structures/groups● What is the most important social unit?

■ Family● Family Patterns

○ Nuclear family - wife, husband, kids● Typical to industrialized societies

○ Extended Family - several generations in one household. Parents, kids, grandparents, aunts, uncles.

● Usually in developing nations

Social Organization

● Kinship = concept that everyone is related to someone

(There are rules --> uncles can't marry nieces)

● Clan = ppl within an ethnic group who claim to be descended from a common ancestor

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● Social Classes = rank ppl according to status in society

(can be based on $, occupation, heredity, education, etc)

● Social mobility = chance to move up and down the social ladder.

#3 Arts & LiteratureProducts of human imagination teach us about cultural values. Can encourage pride or criticize.Includes:

■ Painting, Sculpture, drawing, architecture■ Music, theatre■ Literature

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● Promote cultural pride & unity ■ nationalism■ ethnocentrism

● Teach about culture's values● Rebel against cultural norms

Question:

What are some social classes we see in the United States?

Is social mobility possible in America today? If so, why?

Do you know of any examples where you cannot move up in social class?

#2 Customs & Traditions

Rules of behavior (enforced by social pressures or written laws)

● Ways of doing everyday things● Basic moral values● Language● Clothes● Foods● Education● Occupation● Etiquette

Question:

In what ways do you think a society’s art and literature reflect their society?

What are some examples of American art and literature that reflect our society?

What do these things say about our society?

#4 ReligionHelps ppl answer the basic questions about the meaning of life; supports the values of culture; can shape morals & ethics of a group of ppl.● Monotheism - belief in 1 god● Polytheism - belief in more than 1 god● Nontheism - belief in no god (atheism)● Animism - belief that everything in nature

has a spirit5 Major Religions - Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, & Islam

Forms of Government

Gov't is designed to provide for ppl's common needs - keeping order in society & protecting it from outside threats(refers to the person(s) who holds power & to society's law

& institutions)

● Oligarchy - small group of people make decisions

● Autocracy - one person makes all decisions● Democracy - all citizens make decisions

#5 Forms of Government

Types of Gov't:● Monarchy - a king/queen rule the country,

title is passed down● Republic - ppl choose the leaders who will

represent them● Dictatorship - a ruler (or group acting as 1)

holds power by force.● Theocracy - When religious doctrine is the

law of the land. When a religious group rules.

#6 Economic Systems

How people use limited resources to satisfy their wants and needs

● 3 Questions:■ What goods & services should we produce?■ How should we produce them?■ For whom should we produce them?

Economic Systems

● Traditional economy - ppl produce most of what they need to survive.

● Market economy - individual answer the economy questions by buying and selling goods & services

● Command economy - gov't controls what goods are produced, how they are produced & what they cost

● Mixed economy - individuals make some decisions and gov't makes others