Group within a larger society with distinct beliefs, values, practices
Example: Different grades/classes in a school
Types of Culture
Modern (Pop) Culture: Originates in economically developed regions, spreads through hierarchical diffusion, focuses on individualism, diverse, evolving
Folk Culture: Homogeneous, spread through relocation diffusion, emphasizes community, family, religion, tradition
Indigenous Culture: Tied to specific regions, strong community, traditional values, unique languages, art, spiritual beliefs
Ethnocentrism vs. Cultural Relativism
Ethnocentrism: Judging another culture by one's own cultural standards
Cultural Relativism: Evaluating another culture by that culture's standards, putting oneself in another's shoes
Cultural Landscape
Definition
Visible human modifications of the natural environment
Includes religious practices, linguistic characteristics, infrastructure, agricultural practices, architectural styles, land use patterns
Types of Architecture
Traditional Architecture: Uses local resources, incorporates local culture
Modern Architecture: Function over design, often not incorporating local culture
Post-Modern Architecture: Unique look, incorporates local culture
Sequent Occupancy
How cultures over time have impacted a geographic location
Human and Physical Characteristics
Human Characteristics: Demographic data (birth rates, languages, religions)
Physical Characteristics: Natural features (rivers, mountains, climate, man-made structures)
Sense of Place
Emotional connection or perception of a specific geographic area
Influenced by personal experiences, architecture, history, societal interactions
Placemaking
Community transformation of public space for activities/events
Promotes community and social interaction
Centripetal and Centrifugal Forces
Centripetal Forces: Bring people together (shared history, language, values)
Centrifugal Forces: Divide people (cultural differences, languages, ethnic and religious divisions)
Diffusion of Culture
Types of Diffusion
Relocation Diffusion: Physical movement of culture or people
Expansion Diffusion: Spread through person-to-person contact
Contagious Diffusion: Spread in all directions (e.g., viral videos)
Hierarchical Diffusion: Spread through systems of power (e.g., fashion trends, social media)
Reverse Hierarchical Diffusion: Spread from bottom to top (e.g., small business expanding)
Stimulus Diffusion: Idea spreads but is adapted (e.g., McDonald's menus)
Historical Causes of Diffusion
Colonialism and Imperialism: Spread of languages, religions, cultures
Example: English as a lingua franca, spread of Christianity
Trade and Commerce: Columbian Exchange, Triangular Trade, Silk Road
Contemporary Causes of Diffusion
Technology and Globalization: Break down barriers, increase urbanization, reduce distance decay, time-space convergence (e.g., social media, internet)
Multinational Corporations: Spread of businesses like McDonald's, Starbucks
Global Political Alliances: Collaboration for security, research, international issues
Military Presence: Diffusion of American culture and English
Religion and Language
Universalizing vs. Ethnic Religions
Universalizing Religions: Seek to appeal to all, expand through diffusion (e.g., Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism)
Christianity: Monotheistic, Hearth in Eastern Mediterranean, spread through colonialism, shaped global landscapes
Islam: Monotheistic, Hearth in Eastern Mediterranean, diffused through conquest, trade, missionary work
Buddhism: Originated in South Asia, spread through trade routes, adapted elements of local cultures
Sikhism: Monotheistic, Hearth in Punjab, distinct appearance, limited diffusion
Ethnic Religions: Centered around specific cultural groups, limited diffusion (e.g., Hinduism, Judaism)
Hinduism: Oldest religion, predominantly in India, shaped cultural identity
Judaism: Abrahamic, linked to Jewish people, diffused through war and persecution
Language
Proto-Language: Earliest form of a language
Language Family: Group of languages with a common ancestor
Language Branch: Subdivision of a language family
Language Group: Languages within a branch sharing vocabulary and grammar
Dialects: Regional variances in language
Effects of Diffusion
Assimilation: Adoption of dominant culture, loss of original culture
Acculturation: Adoption of cultural traits, retaining original identity
Syncretism: Blending of cultures to form a new culture
Cultural Resistance: Opposition to diffusion, often due to religious or cultural barriers
Multiculturalism: Coexistence of diverse cultures within a society
Conclusion
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