Cultural+Universals

worksheet placed in student binder under Ancient Greece

Cultural Universals CULTURE: __Webster's High School Dictionary__: The characteristic features of a civilization including its beliefs, its artistic and material products, and its social institutions. __Macmillan Dictionary__: The sum total of the beliefs, accomplishments, and behavior patterns of a group of people, acquired by members of the group through social learning and passed on from one generation to another . __Informal definition__: The ways of living which a group of people has built up over hundreds of years. Their thoughts, feelings, actions, customs, habits, goals, and values that form a pattern for their way of life Cultural Universals: The common components, or parts, that all cultures share. 1. List 5 things that could be considered part of your culture. 2. List 5 things that you have been taught about your culture by: • Your parents • Your school • Your friends 3. Place the following items under WANTS or NEEDS: WANTS NEEDS • Television • Protein (Nuts, Beans, Meat) • Gum • Clothing • A heater • Exercise • Water • Education • Mobile phone • House/apartment • Vegetables • Fruit 4. How does the geography and climate of Beijing affect people's lives? Give an example for each of the following: • What people eat • What people wear • The type of shelter people live in • The tools people use • The economy of Beijing • The recreation activities • The religion • The government • The family organization 5. If, or when, you marry or if you remain single, what kind of family organization and leadership would you want? 6. If you could make up one law for a culture which had no laws at all, what would it be? Remember that a law is made to protect people, not to punish them. 7. How would you communicate with a person who did not speak or understand your language? 8. List five items in your home that your grandparents did not have to make their life easier when they were young. 9. Organize the following words under two columns: GOODS SERVICES Bicycle • Computer technician • Mp3 player • Skateboard • Gardener • Electrician • Milk • Clothing • Carpenter 10. Write a short paragraph to explain thunder. Pretend you do not know what causes it and make up your own reasons. 11. How does the music today express the feelings and thoughts of young people?