Unit 3 - Culture

folk/local culture

how a group of people in a place that see themselves and share customs/traits. OR a small culture that incorporates a homogeneous population that is typically rural and cohesive in cultural traits.

material culture

the things a group of people construct, including homes, clothing, sports, dance, and foods.

culture

a group of belief systems, norms, and values practiced by a people EX) Makan American Indians who hunt whales

popular culture

large culture that incorporates heterogeneous populations, is typically urban, and experiences quick changing traits.

cultural appropriation

the process by which other cultures adopt customs and knowledge and use them for their own benefit EX) People not of the culture getting henna tattoos

hierarchical diffusion

can occur through a hierarchy of places. The hearth is the point of origin. Large cities to smaller ones (trickles down)

contagious diffusion

idea spreads from person to person EX) word of mouth

stimulus diffusion

when an exact idea can't be adopted in a certain area (due to cultural barriers, etc.) leading to altering of the idea. It is a stimulus for newer ideas. EX) non-meat burgers at McDonald's in India

relocation diffusion

when individuals who have adopted the idea move to new places and disseminate it. The hearth loses strength in the idea and the places the individuals move to gain strength in it. EX) Buddhism started in India, but now has more followers in Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar

assimilation

the process of making indigenous people adopt the dominant culture and abandon their own culture. EX) US wanted to assimilate Native Americans in the 18 and 1900s.

acculturation

Same as assimilation however...their traditions are maintained but do adapt to new cultures.

cultural landscape

the visible imprint of human activity on the landscape

gender

social differences between men and women

race

the product of ways of viewing minor genetic differences around the world. Excellent example fo how geographic context shapes identity.

ethnicity

an identity based on being bounded or related to a certain place over time EX) Latino, Hispanic

language

a set of sounds and symbols that is used for communication

dialect

a variant of a standard language along regional or ethnic liens. Made of differences in: vocab, syntax, pronunciation, cadence, and pace. EX) Southern-English

language family

way of classifying languages at the global scale. The languages have shared by fairly distant origins. Broken into sub-families. EX) Indo-European language family includes Italian, Spanish, and French

Indo-European language

a language from the Indo-European family. Spoken by half of the world's people, and includes among others, the Germanic, Romance, and Slavic subfamilies

lingua franca

a language used among speakers of different languages for the purposes of trade and commerce. Can be one language or a mixture.

pidgin language

when people speaking 2 or more languages are in contact and they combine parts of their languages in a simplified structure and vocabulary EX) the first widely known pidgin language is the Frankish language, a mix of Frank tongue with Italian, Greek, Spanish, and Arabic for trade on eastern Mediterranean with Southern Franks. Another example: creole language

universalizing religions

actively seek converts because they view themselves as offering belief systems and universal appropriateness and appeal. . EX) Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam

ethnic religion

Adherents are born into the faith and converts are not actively sought. Spatially concentrated, except for Judaism. EX) traditional religions in Africa and SA. Judaism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Shintoism

Hinduism

3rd biggest religion, DID NOT originate in Pakistan, given name by Aryans, no founder, based on ancient practices of Indus River Valley city of Mohenjo Daro and Harappa, sacred river is the Ganges, and their main god is Brahman. Other gods are expressions of Brahman. Not a polytheistic or monotheistic religion, or even both. Vedas is it's 4 sacred texts. Defined as an ethnic religion to SE Asia.

Buddhism

came from Hinduism as a question to its teachings (caste system). 2 branches: Mahayan (salvation comes by appeal to holy sources of merit) and Theravada (Salvation is personal matter achieved by good behavoir and being monk or nun). EX) Theravada- Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia. Mahayana- Vietnam Korea, Japan, and China

Judaism

grew out of the beliefs of Jews, a nomadic semetic tribe in SW Asia. Based off teachings of Abraham. In Middle East, N Africa, Russia, Ukraine, Europe, and N and S America. Monotheistic.

Christianity

single founder (Jesus), split from Judaism, monotheistic, first split: between Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox. Emperor Diocletian split empire eventually leading to separate denominations. Last branch- Protestant (came from Catholic)

Islam

founded by Muhammad, Qu'ran, Allah, monotheistic, 5 pillars, pilgrimage to Mecca/hajj. EX) Most Muslims are in Indonesia

sacred sites/sacred space

places people infuse with religious meaning (reverence or fear). If infused with reverence, a pilgrimage may be made to the place.

culture trait

A single element of normal practice in a culture, such as the wearing of a turban.

culture hearth

a center where cultures developed and from which ideas and traditions spread outward

Communication Technologies

means of recording, transferring, and working with information

culture identity

a feeling of belonging to a group that shares the same culture, or way of life

culture realm

a set of cultural regions showing related cultural complexes and landscapes

culture complex

a unique combination of culture traits for a particular culture group

Formal region (or uniform or homogeneous region)

An area in which everyone shares in common one or more distinctive characteristics

Functional Region

An area organized around a node or focal point

Vernacular/Perceptual Region

A place that people believe exists as part of their cultural identity from people's informal sense of place such as mental maps.

Language Tree

a representation of the relationships of languages to each other

indigenous language

the native language of a people in an area

official language

the language adopted for use by the government for conduct of business and publication of documents

Imperialism

A policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.

Nativism

A policy of favoring native-born individuals over foreign-born ones

World Religions

Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism

architecture

the art or practice of designing and constructing buildings.

Secularism

rejects religion and religious considerations.

Fundamentalism

Literal interpretation and strict adherence to basic principles of a religion (or a religious branch, denomination, or sect).

ethnic enclave

A place with a high concentration of an ethnic group that is distinct from those in the surrounding area

gender roles

sets of behavioral norms assumed to accompany one's status as male or female