What is Culture? ISS Lecture One

General Definition of Culture
- There are thousands of definitions of culture. For this class, we will establish two relevant definitions:
- Definition 1: Culture is the way of life of a given group; it shapes beliefs and behaviors.
- Definition 2: Culture is vast and multifaceted, encompassing everything from norms and values to social practices.

Culture is integral to understanding human behavior.
- Example: Students at MSU (Michigan State University) share a culture surrounding education and identity as Spartans.
Culture is learned and exists in our collective consciousness, guiding decisions and interactions.

Example of a Cultural Meme: A meme featuring Chris Pratt combines various cultural references (e.g., Jurassic Park, Jesus Christ).
- Interpretation and Joke: This picture functions as a cultural shorthand, allowing rapid understanding among those who share cultural context.
- Cultural Timing: Understanding such memes relies on shared current cultural knowledge; those outside the culture may not grasp the joke.

Visual Metaphor for Culture: The cultural iceberg illustrates the concept that visible aspects of culture (art, food, fashion) are just the tip, while underlying aspects (values, attitudes, ideologies) form the bulk beneath the surface.
- Commonly perceived elements: Visiting food markets or museums in a foreign country.
- Less visible attributes: Work ethic, justice perception, body language, family roles, relationships to authority, and environmental inclinations.
Cultural Variance: Practices and interpretations may differ significantly between cultures, leading to culture clashes, especially for international students.

Definition of Enculturation: The process of learning one's culture, often starting from infancy.
- Learning occurs through absorption and socialization within one's cultural environment.
- Examples:
  - Understanding language, behaviors, norms, and food preferences based on cultural context.
Child Food Culture: Children consume unique cultural foods, which vary globally.

Cultural Lens: Everyone views the world through a personal cultural lens shaped by experiences.
- Example of interpretations; a child's understanding of a cow differs if raised on a farm versus a suburban area.

Reasons for Studying Culture: To understand why people behave as they do and to recognize decision-making patterns influenced by their cultural backgrounds.
- Quote by Ishmael: Awareness of the 'voice of mother culture' becomes permanent once learned; it influences perceptions of others and oneself.

Culture Clash: Occurs when individuals encounter practices or norms that contrast sharply with their own cultural understanding.
- Example discussions include differences in food portions, greetings, and bathroom customs.
Reverse Culture Shock: The realization that one’s own cultural practices are unique upon returning home.
- Personal anecdotes shared included experiences of exaggerated portions in the U.S. and cultural food practices.

Ethnocentrism: The belief in the superiority of one’s own culture and the practice of evaluating other cultures based on one's standards.
- Defined in two parts:
  1. Assumption that personal cultural practices are better.
  2. Judging other cultures' practices using one's cultural values.
Cultural Relativism: Opposes ethnocentrism, emphasizing understanding other cultures on their terms without imposing one's own values.
- This perspective facilitates empathy and comprehension of diverse cultural practices.

Kinship with Animals: Loretta Cormier's anthropological study in Eastern Amazonia illustrates differing kinship structures, including treating certain animals as family.
- Acknowledges biases that can arise when faced with cultural practices, such as consuming animals considered companions in other societies.

Recognizing and critically examining cultural practices fosters a deeper understanding of both one's culture and those of others.
Encouragement for students to engage critically with cultural concepts throughout the course, utilizing terms such as 'ethnocentrism' and 'cultural relativism.'

Engage with peers about cultural differences and personal experiences relating to culture clashes.
Understand that growing awareness of cultural norms is a continuous process, enhancing one’s ability to navigate a diverse world.

Reminder of quiz deadlines – the first quiz will be open until Friday, encouraging completion alongside an initial survey.
Participation in discussions about cultural differences enhances comprehension and facilitates the application of concepts discussed in class.