Lecture Notes: Culture and Society

Definition of Culture

• Culture consists of beliefs, behaviors, objects, and other characteristics common to members of a particular group or society.
• Through culture, people define themselves, conform to society's values, and contribute to societal development.
• Components of culture:
  • Language
  • Customs
  • Values
  • Norms
  • Mores
  • Rules
  • Tools and technologies
  • Products
  • Organizations and institutions

Institutions within Culture

• Institutions: Clusters of rules and cultural meanings associated with specific social activities.
• Common institutions:
  • Family
  • Education
  • Religion
  • Work
  • Health care

High Culture vs. Low Culture

• Cultured refers to being well-educated, knowledgeable in the arts, stylish, and well-mannered.
• High Culture:
  • Pursued by the upper class
  • Includes classical music, theater, fine arts, sophisticated pursuits
  • Relies on cultural capital (credentials, education, knowledge, skills)
• Low Culture/Popular Culture:
  • Pursued by working and middle classes
  • Includes sports, movies, television, sitcoms, soaps, rock music

Sociological Definitions

• Sociologists define culture differently from popular understandings of high and low culture.

Definition of Society

• Society: People interacting in a way to share a common culture.

  • Cultural bonds can be ethnic, racial, based on gender, or shared beliefs and activities.

• Geographic aspect:

  • Society can refer to people sharing a culture in a specific location.
  • Example: Differences in culture between cold temperate and tropical climates.

Relationship Between Culture and Society

• Culture consists of societal objects and shared characteristics.
• Society consists of people sharing a common culture.

Modern Context

• Originally, culture and society referred to small, local groups.
• In today's globalized world, these terms have evolved but are still used traditionally.
  • Example: Racial culture within the larger American society.