Human Geo Unit 2: Culture, Religion, & Identity

culture

the shared beliefs, values, behaviors, and traditions of a group that influence their way of life.

material traits

the physical objects, resources, and spaces that people use to define their culture, that can be seen, touched, or heard. ex: tools, food, clothing, and architecture.

non-material traits

the intangible aspects of culture that cannot be touched, but represent what a culture values and shapes how they live. (aka invisible traits) examples include respect, freedom, karma, individuality, etc.

dominant culture

the culture that is most widely accepted and practiced in a society, often influencing other cultures and social norms. (example: “American” popular culture)

non-dominant culture

a cultural group that exists within a society but does not hold the majority position or influence over others. (example: Amish, Native Americans, etc.)

assimilation

the process by which individuals or groups adopt the culture of another group, often losing their original identity in the process.

acculturation

the process of adopting certain cultural traits from another culture while still retaining one's original culture.

cultural diffusion

the spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another, often through communication, transportation, & migration.

language

a system of communication used by a particular community or country, consisting of written and spoken words and symbols; **it shapes how individuals perceive and interact with the world  

lingua franca

a common language used by individuals whose native language is different (ENGLISH is considered the lingua franca)

internal diversity

Within every culture, language, religion, etc. there are differences in how people think, act, & relate to one another

religion

a system of beliefs, practices, & values centered around the sacred

3B Method

Belief, Behavior, and Belonging

3B Method in Religion

Understanding religion as a complex framework of the ways people think, the actions they do (or don’t do), and how they relate with members/non-members

ritual

An action or ceremony that is typically filled with meaning or significance.

symbol

a thing that represents something else (filled with meaning that may or may not have anything to do with the symbol)

devotional claim

a claim about what is correct in a religion or what is a “truth” in the world. They often say what people should or shouldn’t do. They are commonly spoken by people within a religion.

(These are authentic, yet not exclusive)

Non-devotional claim

A claim that attempts to describe & analyze devotional claims without making a judgment over which devotional claim is ‘right’. They are commonly spoken by scholars and students studying religion.

hearth

the place that a religion is commonly believed to have begun

diaspora

the scattering of people, language, or culture that were once located in one place together

identity

the qualities, beliefs, and characteristics that define an individual or group, shaping how they perceive themselves and are perceived by others.

race

a social construct used to categorize people based on physical characteristics such as skin color, facial features, and hair type. It often influences social dynamics and identity. (example: black, white/ caucasian, asian, etc.)

ethnicity

a shared cultural heritage or identity based on factors such as language, religion, nationality, or ancestry. (Example: Hispanic,Latino, Kurd, Jewish, etc.)

nationality

the status of belonging to a particular nation, often associated with cultural identity, citizenship, and shared history. (ex: Spanish, Mexican, Brazilian, American)

sex

the biological differences between males and females, including reproductive organs and genetic differences.

gender

the social and cultural roles, behaviors, and expectations associated with being a man, woman, or non-binary in a society’s context

socioeconomic status

the social and economic position of an individual or group, often determined by income, education, and occupation, and it influences access to resources and opportunities.

ability status

the classification of individuals based on their physical and mental abilities, which can affect their participation in society and access to resources.

stereotype

a widely held but oversimplified belief or idea about a particular group of people.

prejudice

an unfounded or irrational negative attitude toward a group or its members, often based on stereotypes.

discrimination

the unjust or prejudicial treatment of/ behavior toward different categories of people, often based on race, age, gender, or disability.