Introductory Unit

What is Culture? Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts. These shared patterns of behaviors and interactions, cognitive constructs and understanding that are learned by socialization. In essence culture is everything that makes up a person's way of life.

No matter what culture a people are a part of, one thing is for certain, it will change. Culture appears to have become key in our interconnected world, which is made up of so many ethnically diverse societies, but also riddled by conflicts associated with religion, ethnicity, ethical beliefs, and, essentially, the elements which make up culture."

Culture is not fixed, it is essentially fluid and constantly in motion.

Cultural development is studied by how and where people live, the way they modify their environment.

Culture vs. ethnicity ethnicity indicates traits people are born with, including genetic backgrounds, physical features, or birthplaces. People have little choice in matters of ethnicity. The term culture indicates what people learn after they are born, including language, religion, and customs or traditions. Individuals can change matters of culture by individual choice after they are born.