Unit 3 Full Guide
Chapters 1-3
Key Terms to Know
Culture – Shared beliefs, practices, and material traits of a group.
Cultural Landscape – Human-modified environments that reflect culture.
Sequent Occupance – The layering of cultural influences over time.
Cultural Diffusion – The spread of cultural traits.
Culture Hearth – Origin of a cultural trait.
Cultural Convergence – Cultures becoming more alike.
Cultural Divergence – Cultures staying distinct due to isolation.
1. Introduction
A. Definition
Culture: The shared practices, technologies, attitudes, and behaviors of a society.
It includes language, religion, customs, traditions, food, art, and social structures.
B. Types
Material Culture – Tangible things (clothing, architecture, tools).
Non-Material Culture – Beliefs, traditions, values, language, and religion.
C. Components
Language: Communication system that shapes identity.
Religion: Belief systems that influence traditions.
Customs & Traditions: Social practices passed down through generations.
Social Organization: Family structures, government, education.
2. Cultural Landscapes
A. Definition of Cultural Landscape
The visible imprint of human activity on the landscape.
Coined by geographer Carl Sauer.
B. Components of Cultural Landscapes
Built Environment – Man-made structures (buildings, roads, monuments).
Agricultural Patterns – Farming techniques, types of crops.
Religious & Linguistic Expressions – Temples, churches, mosques, signage.
Economic & Industrial Development – Factories, trade centers, urbanization.
C. Types of Cultural Landscapes
Urban Landscapes – Skyscrapers, highways, public spaces (e.g., New York City).
Rural Landscapes – Farms, small villages, pastoral lands (e.g., Amish communities).
Sacred Landscapes – Religious or spiritual sites (e.g., Jerusalem, Mecca).
Industrial Landscapes – Factories, ports, commercial hubs (e.g., Detroit).
D. Sequent Occupance
The idea that different cultures leave their mark on a place over time.
Example: Rome has ruins from ancient times, medieval churches, and modern buildings.
3. Cultural Patterns
A. Definition of Cultural Patterns
The spatial distribution of cultural traits across landscapes.
B. Cultural Diffusion
Relocation Diffusion – People physically move and bring culture (e.g., Spanish language in Latin America).
Expansion Diffusion – Culture spreads outward from a central point.
Hierarchical Diffusion – Spreads from elite or major cities (e.g., fashion from Paris).
Contagious Diffusion – Spreads rapidly, like a virus (e.g., TikTok trends).
Stimulus Diffusion – Cultural idea spreads but is adapted (e.g., McDonald's in India serves veggie burgers).
C. Cultural Realms & Regions
Culture Hearths – Where cultures originated (e.g., Mesopotamia, China, Egypt).
Cultural Regions:
Formal Region – Defined by shared cultural traits (e.g., Latin America).
Functional Region – Organized around a central point (e.g., New York’s subway system).
Vernacular Region – Perceived regions (e.g., "The South" in the U.S.).
D. Cultural Convergence vs. Cultural Divergence
Cultural Convergence: Cultures become more alike due to globalization (e.g., English as a global language).
Cultural Divergence: Cultures remain distinct due to isolation (e.g., Indigenous tribes in the Amazon).
Chapters 4-6
Key Terms to Know
Diffusion – The spread of cultural elements from one place to another.
Relocation Diffusion – Spread via physical movement of people.
Expansion Diffusion – Spread without people physically moving.
Hierarchical Diffusion – Spread from top-down (elites, cities).
Contagious Diffusion – Rapid, widespread diffusion.
Stimulus Diffusion – Cultural adaptation of an idea.
Globalization – Increasing interconnectedness of the world.
1. Types of Diffusion
Diffusion is the process by which cultural traits, ideas, or innovations spread from one place to another.
A. Two Main Types of Diffusion
Relocation Diffusion – The spread of culture through the physical movement of people.
Example: Spanish language spreading to Latin America via colonization.
Expansion Diffusion – The spread of culture without the physical movement of people.
Subtypes of Expansion Diffusion:
Hierarchical Diffusion – Spreads from influential people or places first.
Example: Fashion trends from Paris to global cities.
Contagious Diffusion – Spreads rapidly, affecting nearly everyone it contacts.
Example: Viral social media trends like TikTok dances.
Stimulus Diffusion – A cultural trait spreads but is adapted or modified.
Example: McDonald's serving different menu items in different countries.
2. Historical Causes of Diffusion
Throughout history, cultural diffusion has been driven by a variety of factors:
A. Colonialism & Imperialism
European colonization of the Americas, Africa, and Asia spread languages, religions, and political systems.
Example: The spread of Christianity through Spanish and Portuguese colonization.
B. Trade & Silk Roads
Trade networks facilitated cultural exchange.
Example: The spread of Buddhism from India to China via the Silk Road.
C. Migration
People moving for economic, political, or environmental reasons brought cultural elements with them.
Example: The spread of African culture and food traditions due to the Atlantic Slave Trade.
D. Wars & Conquests
Empires imposed their culture on conquered lands.
Example: The spread of Latin language and Roman architecture through the Roman Empire.
3. Contemporary Causes of Diffusion
In the modern world, diffusion is largely driven by globalization and technological advancements.
A. Globalization & Economic Interdependence
The world is more connected due to trade, travel, and business relationships.
Example: The spread of American fast food chains like McDonald's worldwide.
B. Technology & Digital Communication
Social media, television, and the internet spread culture instantly.
Example: K-pop gaining global popularity through YouTube and streaming services.
C. Migration & Urbanization
High rates of migration create diverse cultural landscapes in cities.
Example: The spread of Middle Eastern cuisine in Western countries due to migration.
D. Political & Economic Policies
Governments promote cultural diffusion through international relations and policies.
Example: China’s Belt and Road Initiative spreading Chinese influence in Africa and Asia.
E. Popular Culture & Media
Movies, music, fashion, and sports contribute to cultural diffusion.
Example: Hollywood movies being watched worldwide, influencing global fashion and language.
Chapters 7-8
Key Terms to Know
Diffusion – The spread of cultural elements over space.
Lingua Franca – A common language used for communication between speakers of different languages.
Creolization – The blending of languages.
Relocation Diffusion – Language or religion spreading through migration.
Hierarchical Diffusion – Spread influenced by leaders or elites.
Contagious Diffusion – Rapid and widespread spread of ideas.
Stimulus Diffusion – The adaptation of an idea in a new culture.
Globalization – Increased cultural interconnectedness due to trade, migration, and technology.
1. Diffusion of Religion
Religions spread through relocation and expansion diffusion, often influenced by migration, conquest, trade, and globalization.
A. Types of Religious Diffusion
B. Major Religions & Their Diffusion
Christianity
Origin: Middle East (Israel).
Diffusion:
Relocation: European missionaries brought it to the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
Hierarchical: Roman emperors adopted Christianity, spreading it through Europe.
Contagious: Missionary activity and colonialism expanded the faith.
Islam
Origin: Arabian Peninsula (Mecca & Medina).
Diffusion:
Contagious: Spread quickly across the Middle East and North Africa.
Hierarchical: Muslim leaders expanded Islamic rule (Ottoman Empire).
Relocation: Muslim migration to Europe and the U.S. expanded Islam’s presence.
Buddhism
Origin: India (Siddhartha Gautama).
Diffusion:
Contagious: Spread through trade along the Silk Road.
Hierarchical: Adopted by emperors in China, Korea, and Japan.
Stimulus: Blended with local religions (e.g., Zen Buddhism in Japan).
Hinduism
Origin: South Asia (India).
Diffusion:
Relocation: Indian migration spread Hinduism to Southeast Asia and beyond.
Limited expansion diffusion since Hinduism is closely tied to ethnicity and geography.
Judaism
Origin: Middle East (Israel).
Diffusion:
Relocation: Jewish diaspora due to persecution (e.g., expelled from Spain in 1492).
Limited expansion diffusion due to ethnic identity.
2. Diffusion of Language
Languages spread through migration, colonization, trade, and technology.
A. Types of Language Diffusion
B. Language Families & Global Diffusion
Indo-European Languages – The largest family, includes English, Spanish, Hindi, and French.
Spread through European colonization, migration, and trade.
Sino-Tibetan Languages – Includes Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese.
Spread through trade and China’s political influence.
Afro-Asiatic Languages – Includes Arabic, Hebrew.
Spread through the expansion of Islam and migration.
Niger-Congo Languages – Includes Swahili, Yoruba, Zulu.
Spread through trade and cultural interactions in Africa.
C. Lingua Franca & Globalization
Lingua Franca: A language used for communication between speakers of different native languages.
Example: English is a global lingua franca used in business, science, and diplomacy.
Creolization: The blending of languages, often in colonial settings.
Example: Haitian Creole (mix of French and African languages).
3. Effects of Diffusion
A. Positive Effects of Religious & Language Diffusion
Cultural Blending – New languages, religious traditions, and hybrid cultures emerge.
Example: Christianity blending with Indigenous traditions in Latin America.
Economic Opportunities – English as a global business language increases trade.
Increased Diversity & Tolerance – Multicultural societies develop with religious and linguistic pluralism.
B. Negative Effects of Religious & Language Diffusion
Loss of Indigenous Languages – Global languages like English and Spanish replace native tongues.
Example: Many Native American languages have gone extinct.
Religious Conflicts – Differences in beliefs can lead to tensions and violence.
Example: Religious tensions between Hindus and Muslims in India.
Cultural Imperialism – Dominant languages and religions may suppress local traditions.
Example: French replacing Indigenous languages in colonial Africa.