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Understanding Culture and Society Dynamics

Sep 4, 2024

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.