Defining Culture
Set of meanings, beliefs, values, and rules for living shared by groups and societies as the source of their identity.
Culture
Whatis one trait of culture?
Humans create culture.
A tangible object or action representing intangible emotions or ideas.
A symbol
Which medium most influences youth culture?
Television, music, or the Internet are possible examples.
______ represent spiritual realities and connect people with the sacred.
Symbols in religious practice
Culture is like ____ because it surrounds us and sustains us in our everyday lives, often unnoticed until we examine it closely.
Air
Why is culture considered public rather than private?
It involves shared practices within a group, not individual ones.
Give an example of a ritual from the text.
A family’s annual tradition of opening their cottage.
How does media reflect youth culture? (1 point for each mentioned)
It influences: behavior, dress, eating habits, and communication.
How has religion become privatized in modern Canadian society?
Many practice faith individually rather than through institutional participation.
Name at least 2 out of 3 basic areas where culture affects our lives
- basic human actions (e.g., eating, sleeping),
- sense of belonging to a group
- shared meanings, beliefs, and values.
How does tradition influence culture?
Many cultural practices are inherited from ancestors and passed down.
Why are symbols important in rituals?
They connect emotions with physical actions, making rituals powerful.
What questions should be asked when analyzing media’s impact? (1 point per idea)
How it reflects youth culture, who sponsors it, what values it promotes.
How does religion contribute to cultural identity?
It provides shared beliefs, values, and rituals that shape group identity.
How does culture distinguish humans from nature?
Humans create culture
Bonus point: ...it is not genetic or biological.
What role do institutions play in culture?
They establish systems for cultural practices, rituals or traditions.
What does the Oglala Sioux circle symbolize? (at least on feature)
Nature’s completeness, time, life cycles, and unity.
(1 point per feature)
Why might young people feel pressured by media trends?
Media creates codes of conduct influencing social acceptance.
Give an example, from the text, of religion shaping a community.
The Antigonish Movement used Catholic teachings to empower rural communities.
Daily human actions, specific actions like eating, and how these are performed uniquely in different contexts.
The 3 webs used to explore culture
How does culture provide identity?
Shared practices and beliefs define a group’s unique identity.
How do symbols and rituals contribute to community?
They create shared experiences that build connections.
How can understanding media help resist its pressures?
By critically analyzing its values and messages.
Why do anthropologists believe religion is inherently human?
It fulfills humans’ desire for meaning and connection with something greater. (3 + 2 points)