Unit 3: Cultural Patterns and Processes

Name an example of a Sharia state that abides by Islamic law.

Saudi Arabia.

What is ethnic cleansing?

The systematic elimination of an ethnic group from a territory.

What distinguishes universalizing religions from ethnic religions?

Universalizing religions accept followers worldwide regardless of ethnicity, while ethnic religions are confined to specific cultural groups.

What is a cultural hearth?

A cultural hearth is a localized area where a culture originated or has its main population center.

How does cuisine reflect cultural tradition?

Cuisine varies regionally, with formal continental traditions like haute cuisine, nouvelle cuisine, and fusion cuisine based on folk food dishes.

What is the lowest caste in India, considered unholy and segregated from others?

Dalits, also known as 'Untouchables.'

What is a cultural hearth?

A localized area where a culture originated or has its main population center.

What are the main components of culture?

The main components of culture include art, architecture, language, music, film and television, food, clothing, social interaction, religion, folklore, and land use.

What is the significance of scriptures and doctrines in organized religions?

All organized religions have scriptures and doctrines that govern practice, worship, and ethical behavior.

What distinguishes modern architecture from contemporary architecture?

Modern architecture emphasizes geometric, ordered forms from the 20th century, while contemporary architecture is more organic, utilizes curvature, and incorporates green and recycled materials.

What are the five major pillars of Islam?

The five pillars are five daily prayers, the Islamic creed, alms to the poor, Ramadan observance, and the Hajj pilgrimage.

What distinguishes a nation from a state?

A nation is a group of people with a common culture, while a state is a politically governed territorial entity.

What is the main characteristic of postmodern architecture?

It features organic, curved, and nontraditional forms, often incorporating new materials and energy technologies.

How do physical greetings vary across cultures?

Greetings include handshakes in the West, bows in Japan, and cheek kissing in many countries, reflecting cultural norms.

What is an example of a cultural imprint expressed through clothing?

Clothing styles are indicators of ethnicity and cultural identity.

How does environmental determinism differ from possibilism in cultural geography?

Environmental determinism sees culture as solely shaped by geography, while possibilism recognizes human agency in modifying the environment.

What type of government is characterized by religious leaders holding the senior positions of governance?

Theocracy.

How do Hindu temples typically appear?

Hindu temples usually have a rectangular main body with carved stone towers featuring stepped sides and deities' carvings.

How does architecture reflect cultural influence?

Architectural forms within the human landscape are products of cultural influence, ranging from traditional folk styles to modern, contemporary, and postmodern designs.

What is the caste system in India and its basis?

The caste system organizes society into hierarchical groups based on Hindu cosmology, with karma influencing reincarnation outcomes.

What are common architectural features of Islamic mosques?

Mosques often have central domes, minarets, and are oriented toward Mecca.

What is sequent occupance in cultural change?

Sequent occupance describes how different dominant cultures replace each other over time in the same location.

How does land use reflect cultural practices and values?

It shows how property is shared, divided, or utilized, influenced by cultural traditions and technology.

What are key characteristics of traditional housing styles in the US?

Traditional US housing includes styles like Cape Cod, Saltbox, and I-houses, characterized by symmetrical designs, central doors, and regional folk influences.

What architectural features are typical of Christian places of worship?

Christian churches often feature a central steeple or bell towers, with older churches having a cross-shaped floor plan.

What is folklore and its role in culture?

Folklore includes stories and histories that tell societal morals and define a culture’s ethical foundations.

How does folk music differ from popular music?

Folk music is original to specific cultures, uses regional instruments, and often includes cultural stories, whereas popular music flows globally and can overshadow folk traditions.

What is cultural relativism?

Understanding beliefs and activities within the context of that culture without judgment.

What are the two main theories about the origins of European languages?

The Anatolian theory suggests language spread from Turkey into Europe, while the Kurgan theory proposes migration from Central Asia across the Eurasian steppe.

What threats do indigenous cultures face in globalization?

Threats include depopulation, cultural homogenization, and religious proselytizing.

What is a folklore, and what purpose does it serve in a culture?

Collected stories and histories that define societal morals and ethical foundations.

What is the process of adapting to a new culture while keeping some of one's original culture called?

Acculturation.

What is the significance of language in cultural identity?

Language reflects cultural identity, varies regionally, and can include dialects, varieties like Received Pronunciation, and pidgin or lingua franca forms.

What is the primary difference between acculturation and assimilation?

Acculturation involves exchanging cultural traits, while assimilation is a complete change in identity to fit into the majority culture.

What are the main threats to indigenous cultures in the context of globalization?

Cultural globalization, depopulation, and loss of cultural heritage.

How does land use reflect cultural practices?

Land use and property division reveal cultural traditions, including residential patterns and landownership practices like long-lot systems.

What is the difference between internal and external cultural identity?

Internal identity is how individuals express their heritage to those of similar background; external identity is how they present it to outsiders.

Which caste in India is responsible for temple duties and religious leadership?

Brahmans.

What is a contemporary culture hearth?

A modern area of cultural origin, such as the Mormon culture region in the American West.

What are the major language families and their approximate populations?

Major language families include Indo-European (2.9 billion), Sino-Tibetan (1.3 billion), Niger-Congo (435 million), Afro-Asiatic (375 million), among others.

What does ethnocentrism entail?

The belief in the superiority of one's own ethnic or national group.

What does cultural synthesis (syncretism) refer to?

Cultural synthesis (syncretism) is the blending together of two or more cultural influences.

What is the role of folklore in cultural identity?

Folklore conveys societal morals, histories, and traditions that define a culture's ethical foundations.

What is culture in the context of human geography?

Culture is the shared experiences, traits, and activities of a group of people with a common heritage.

What is sequent occupance in cultural geography?

The replacement of one dominant culture by another over time in a single place or region.

What is the significance of the Five Daily Prayers in Islam?

They are a fundamental religious practice observed at specific times facing Mecca, emphasizing discipline and devotion.

What is the role of film and television in culture?

Film and television serve as major signs of cultural influence and are conduits for cultural globalization.

What is the difference between a nation, ethnicity, and a state?

A nation is a population with shared culture, ethnicity involves genetic and political identity, and a state is a political entity governed by a single government.

What is the primary purpose of the Hajj pilgrimage in Islam?

To fulfill one of the Five Pillars by making a sacred journey to Mecca during one's lifetime.

What is the primary basis for the Indian caste system according to Hindu scriptures?

Reincarnation and karma determine a person's caste based on their actions in previous lives.

What are the five pillars of Islam that guide followers' moral system?

Five Daily Prayers, Islamic Creed, Alms to the Poor, Observance of Ramadan, and the Hajj pilgrimage.

How can land use reveal cultural practices?

It shows how different societies utilize or divide land based on cultural traditions and technological capabilities.

What is the concept of cultural diffusion?

The spread of cultural traits from one area or group to another through trade, migration, or conflict.