Cultural Systems: Religion, Language, and Identity

Religion

a cultural system traditions, and practices often centered around the worship of a diary or dites

Universalizing

wanting more people to join

Ethnic

don't want more people to join. You are just born into it.

Language

a system of communication consisting of words and rules for their use

Pidgin

a simplified language used for communication between languages that speak different language

Creole

a mix of different languages, culture or something else

Lingua franca

a language that has become a common method of communication among a wide variety of people and often taught as a 2ed language

Cultural landscape

the visible impact of human activity and culture on the landscape

Place making a place(sense of place)

physical things that make something welcoming and or make people want to go there

Sequent occupance

a location that is occupied sequentially by 2 different cultures (culture A leaves and then culture B moves in)

Toponyms

a name given to a place on earth

Cultural convergence

2 different cultures that are brought close together so they start to come together or really just become more similar

Cultural divergence

one culture that splits into 2 and then the distance make the cultures become less and less similar

Creole language

2 or more languages that are mixed together to make one

Accent

how u say words

Dialects

the words that are spoken

Acculturation

the act of learning a new culture

Cultural assimilation

adopting a new culture and really living the cultural way and not just learning about it

Force assimilation

forcing people to adopt a culture

Multiculturalism

everyone keep and practices their own culture but they live close to each other

Cultural syncretism

cultures that collide and make a whole new culture or something new (E pluribus unum - out of any one) also called a melting pot

Culture

learned beliefs and factice of s a group of people(these always change

Custom

an action of a group done often enough that it becomes a characteristic of the group.

Taboo

an act or behavior that is prohibited by social or religious norms and you are punished by shame

Ethnocentrism

judging other cultures by the standards of your own

Cultural relativism

never judging other cultures

Folk culture

traditionally practiced by groups in homogenous, rural, isolated areas

Popular culture

found in larger heterogeneous societies that share certain habits even if its

Hierarchical diffusion

involves the spread of culture starting from the most powerful and influential people within the culture.

Sense of place

a feeling of home or something that make your or a place unique

Cultural imperialism

forced imperialism

Ethnic enclaves

a location with a high concentration of an ethnic group that is distinct from those in the surrounding areas

Ethnoburb

A suburb is a residential area on the outskirts of a city, offering a quieter and more spacious living environment. Some suburbs, known as ethnoburbs, have a notable concentration of a particular ethnic minority population. Unlike traditional ethnic enclaves, ethnoburbs are often multiracial, multicultural, and multilingual communities.

Racial covenants

Contractually prohibited the sale of a property to a member of a group of people, usually African Americans.

Redlining

The practice of refusing loans to people in certain neighborhoods.

White flight

Migration of white people from inner cities to the curb as African Americans moved into what used to be white neighborhoods.

Blockbusting

Realtor telling white owner they should sell their homes usually quickly and cheaply because African Americans were moving into their neighborhoods.

Ethno nationalism

The belief that a country is only for one ethnic group.

Ethnic cleansing

One ethnic group attempts to completely remove another using forced migration, propaganda, legal restriction, and education.

Genocide

Killing a large amount of people because of their race or ethnicity.

Major parts of culture

Religion, Language, Architecture, Cuisine, Technology, Music, Dance, Sports, Medicine, Dress, Gender roles, Laws, Education, Government, Agriculture, Grooming habits, Economy, Values, Work ethics, etiquette, courtship, Recreation, Gestures.

Material culture

Physical objects such as Clothing, Buildings, Agricultural products sometimes called artifacts, Trophies, awards.

Non-material culture

Ideas created by the people.

Ideological subsystem

Ideas, beliefs, values, knowledge of culture including Language, thoughts, feelings.

Sociological subsystem

How people in a culture are expected to interact with each other and how their social institutions are constructed.

Sociofacts

Social structures and organizations in a culture that influence social behavior.

Folk culture characteristics

Cloths, Food, Architecture, resistant to change, hard to find the origin of changes, diffusion usually through relocation.

Threats to folk culture

Space time compression, loss of traditional values, changes in food, shelter, loss of environmental determinism.

Barriers to diffusion

Large distances, Taboos, Languages, Religious beliefs, Political barriers, Lack of available technology or infrastructure.

Transportation

How, when, and where people move.

Languages

They can be written and spoken but not always both; changes over time and are a fundamental part of culture.

How languages are organized

Individual languages, Groups, Branches, Families.

Origin of Indo-European

The Kurgans started it and diffused as they took over other places, starting in today Turkey.

Things needed to develop dialect

Geographical Separation, Social Differentiation, Time.

Barriers to language diffusion

Cultural, Generational divides, Political.

Impacts of language loss

Losing indigenous languages, Migration, Younger people learn a new language.

Why do languages die

In 100 years half the world's languages could die due to lack of written versions and few speakers.

Things to do to preserve a language

Preservation due to cultural identity and technology connecting isolated speakers.

Isolated Languages

Languages protected by geographical barriers.

Basque Language

Language marking independence from surrounding cultures.

Tourism and Language

Visitors connect with areas through local languages.

Languages with <100 Speakers

Includes Hebrew among others at risk.

Universalizing Religion

Religions that seek global appeal, e.g., Islam.

Ethnic Religion

Tied to specific locations and cultures.

Environmental Determinism

Beliefs influenced by local environmental conditions.

Judaism

Smallest major religion, closely tied to Christianity.

Monotheistic Religions

Religions believing in one God, e.g., Judaism, Christianity, Islam.

Sabbath

Day of worship in Judaism, Friday night to Saturday.

Torah

Holy book of Judaism, containing laws and teachings.

Christianity

World's largest religion, founded on Judaism.

Jesus Christ

Founder of Christianity, viewed as divine.

Branches of Christianity

Includes Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant denominations.

Islam

Fastest-growing religion, founded in 7th century CE.

Muslim

Practitioner of Islam, numbering 1.5 billion.

Five Pillars of Islam

Core practices including faith, prayer, and pilgrimage.

Hajj

Pilgrimage to Mecca, required once in a lifetime.

Hinduism

Oldest major religion, based on ethnic identity.

Karma

Belief in cause and effect in actions.

Buddhism

Religion founded in Northern India, around 4th century BCE.

Four Noble Truths

Core teachings of Buddhism addressing suffering.

Caste System

Social structure in Hinduism, affecting societal roles.

Synagogue

Place of worship for Jewish communities.

Church

Place of worship for Christians.

Mosque

Place of worship for Muslims.

Pilgrimage in Hinduism

Visit to sacred sites, e.g., Indus Valley.

Relocation Diffusion

Spread of culture through migration and exile.

Suffering

Caused by desire and craving; can be ended.

Relocation

A method of diffusion where people move and spread their beliefs.

Gurdwara

Place of worship in Sikhism.

Sikhism

Founded by Guru Nanak in 1500 C.E.; concentrated in Canada and India.

5 K's of Sikhism

Kirpan (small sword), Kara (iron bangle), Kacha (special undergarment).

Taoism

Beliefs include living in harmony with nature; originated in China.

Lantern Festival

A holiday celebrated in Taoism.

Kojiki

Record of ancient matters in Shintoism.

Shintoism

Based on ancient history and mythology of Japan; no founder.

Kami

Spiritual beings and deities in Shintoism.

Confucianism

Founded by Confucius; focuses on morals and cosmic harmony.

Lunyu

The five classics in Confucianism.

Zoroastrianism

Founded by Zoroaster; practices include prayer facing light.

Avesta

Scriptures containing teachings, rituals, and hymns from Zoroaster.