Human Geography Lesson 2 - Facets of Culture

Cultural Relativism: judging cultures fairly within their context

Ethnocentrism: judging cultures unfairly, within the context of one's own culture

Universalism: ethical standards that apply to most cultures

Tomorrow's bell ringer will be for you to summarize the three concepts, along with examples. So, make sure you understand.

What is an example of something that is culturally relative?

What is an example of a belief that is ethnocentric?

What is a "universal" ethical principle?

people who share region, identity, and culture

Society

people within a society with variant identity and culture

Ethnic Group

Alternating between the norms of society and the ethnic group a person belongs to. Note: This concept often refers to switching languages as well.

Code Switching

Wainrights from the Rhineland. 1709. There wasn't a Germany or a U.S. yet.
Spoke mostly German and had German names into the 1900s (both world wars ended those traditions).

​​My Earliest Ancestors in the Americas

Why did they maintain aspects of their culture?

"Vehicles of Culture"

1. Religion (or values) defines the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that are passed down.

2. Language communicates cultural expectations (“norms”).

Dialects are a significant expression of culture. See “27 fascinating maps that show how Americans speak English differently across the US” on the next slide.

Bear these questions in mind as you look:
1. In general, what did you notice about Pennsylvania?
2. How do dialects reflect and transmit culture?

Read Language Diffusion on Page 73

How do languages diffuse and evolve?

Examples to consider:
- Louisiana Creole
- English
- Swahili