AP Human Geography Unit 3 Review

Introduction

• Review of major concepts from Unit 3 in AP Human Geography.
• Study guide available in the ultimate review packet.
  • Includes videos, quizzes, practice exams, and vocab lists.

Understanding Culture

• Culture: Composed of material and non-material aspects.
  • Material culture: Physical objects, artifacts significant to society.
  • Non-material culture: Ideas, beliefs, values, languages, customs.
  • Example: Traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
    • Material: Tea utensils, tea room.
    • Non-material: Rules, procedures, social norms.
• Subculture: Distinct cultural group within a larger culture.
  • Example: School subcultures (different grades/classes).
• Culture categories:
  • Modern Culture (Pop Culture): Originates in economically developed areas, spreads hierarchically, diverse and evolving.
  • Folk Culture: Homogeneous, spreads through relocation, emphasizes community.
  • Indigenous Cultures: Tied to specific regions, risk of being replaced by modern culture.

Cultural Perspectives

• Ethnocentrism: Judging another culture by one's own standards.
• Cultural Relativism: Evaluating culture by its standards.

Cultural Landscape

• Definition: Human modifications to the natural environment.
  • Includes religious practices, language, infrastructure, architecture, land use.
• Architecture styles:
  • Traditional: Local resources, culture.
  • Modern: Function over design.
  • Post-modern: Unique look incorporating local culture.
• Sequent Occupancy: Cultural marks left on a place over time.

Human and Physical Characteristics

• Human Characteristics: Demographics, languages, religions.
• Physical Characteristics: Natural features, climate.
• Sense of Place: Emotional connection to a geographical area.
  • Influenced by architecture, history, societal interactions.
• Placelessness: Lack of unique characteristics and identity.

Diffusion of Culture

• Diffusion: Spread of cultural elements.
  • Relocation Diffusion: Movement of people and culture.
  • Expansion Diffusion: Trait spreads through person-to-person contact.
    • Contagious: Spreads almost indiscriminately.
    • Hierarchical: Spreads through a structured system.
    • Reverse Hierarchical: Starts at bottom spreads upwards.
    • Stimulus: Original idea spreads but is adapted.

Historical Causes of Diffusion

• Colonialism and Imperialism: Spread religions, languages, cultures.
  • Examples: English language, Christianity.
• Creolization: Two cultures blend to form a new one.
• Trade and Commerce: Colombian Exchange, Triangular Trade.

Contemporary Causes of Diffusion

• Technology and Globalization: Breakdown barriers, increase interactions.
• Urbanization: Movement to urban areas spreads ideas.
• Social Media: Accelerates diffusion of ideas and trends.
• Military: Diffuses culture through global bases.

Impact of Religion and Language

• Universalizing Religions: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism.
  • Seek to appeal to all, diffuse widely.
• Ethnic Religions: Hinduism, Judaism.
  • Centered around specific ethnic groups.

Language

• Proto-lingua: Earliest form of language.
• Language Family/Branch/Group: Hierarchical organization of languages.
• Dialects: Regional variances within a language.
  • Isogloss: Linguistic boundary.

Effects of Diffusion

• Assimilation: Adoption of dominant culture.
• Acculturation: Adoption of traits while retaining original culture.
• Syncretism: Cultures evolve similarly but remain distinct.
• Cultural Resistance: Barriers to diffusion due to various factors.
• Multiculturalism: Coexistence of diverse cultures.