Cultural Geography: Exploring Human Identity and Place - Lecture Notes PDF

CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY  Cultural Geography: Exploring Human Identity and Place Introduction to Cultural Geography  What is Culture? Specialized behavioral patterns, understandings, adaptations, and social systems that summarize a group of people’s learned...

CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY  Cultural Geography: Exploring Human Identity and Place Introduction to Cultural Geography  What is Culture? Specialized behavioral patterns, understandings, adaptations, and social systems that summarize a group of people’s learned way of life Learned, not biological Transmitted within a society to next generations by imitation, tradition, instruction What we care about What we care for "What is Culture" Video  What does culture include? Language Music Religion Agriculture Architecture Art Clothing Tolerance Food Education Gender relations Technology Cultural Regions  Eight Aspects of Culture ✔ Social Organization ✔ Customs and Traditions ✔ Language ✔ Arts and Literature ✔ Religion ✔ Forms of Government ✔ Economic Systems  Social Organization Creates social structure by organizing its members into small units to meet basic needs Family Patterns: family is the most important unit of social organization. Through the family children learn how they are expected to act and what to believe o Nuclear family: wife, husband, children - Typical family in an industrial society (US) - Does not have to be large to accomplish tasks of living o Extended family: Several generations living in one household, working and living together: grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins - Respect for elders is strong Social classes: rank people in order of status, depending on what is important to the culture (money, job, education, ancestry, etc.)  Customs & Traditions Rules of Behavior Enforced ideas of right and wrong Often these ideas are part of the culture’s written laws  Arts & Literature Products of the human imagination Help us pass on the culture’s basic beliefs ▪Examples: art, music literature, folk tales  Introduction to Cultural Geography Definition: The study of how culture shapes and is shaped by physical environments Key focus: Understanding why cultures develop in specific ways Importance: Broadens our understanding of the world and its people Main topics: Religion, language, ethnicity, race, and gender Physical and Human Characteristics of Places Physical characteristics Landforms (mountains, plains, valleys) Climate and weather patterns Natural resources Human characteristics Population density and distribution Built environment (cities, roads, buildings) Economic activities Cultural practices and traditions  Ethnicity and Cultural Landscapes Ethnicity: Group identity based on shared cultural traits and customs Not the same as race (which is based on physical characteristics) Includes language, religion, traditions, and customs Cultural landscape: How humans have physically changed the natural environment Examples: Buildings, roads, farms, energy production facilities Impact: Diverse ethnic groups create varied cultural landscapes Architecture and Cities Cities as melting pots of cultures and ethnicities Example: New York City Population: Approximately 8.5 million people, Dozens of ethnicities represented, Religious architecture in close Other examples: Seville, Spain and Istanbul, proximity: Catholic cathedrals, Turkey (Blend of Christian and Muslim Mosques, Hindu temples architectural styles) Traditions and Celebrations Cultural diversity leads to a variety of traditions and celebrations Examples of cultural expressions: Religious occasions, Holidays, Festivals These events often include: Traditional music and dance, Special foods and cuisines, Unique customs and rituals Art and Music in Cultural Geography Art as a reflection of culture: Museums showcase diverse cultural artworks Music as a cultural ambassador: Western pop music's global spread, Rap music's influence in conservative countries Cultural fusion in art and music styles Iranian rap music Food and Cultural Diffusion Food as a representation of cultural identity Globalization's impact on cuisine: Ability to eat foods from around the world Adaptation of traditional dishes in new locations Cultural fusion in cooking: Blending of ingredients and techniques, Creation of new, hybrid cuisines The Impact of Globalization on Cultural Landscapes Increased cultural mixing due to: Improved transportation, Advanced communication technology Effects on cultural landscapes: More diverse architecture in cities, Multicultural neighborhoods Global brands and businesses in local settings Conclusion: The Importance of Cultural Geography Helps us understand and appreciate cultural diversity Promotes empathy and global awareness Explains how physical environments shape human cultures Illustrates the impact of human activities on landscapes Encourages students to explore and respect different cultures  Language Language – is a system of communication through speech, a collection of sounds that a group of people understands to have the same meaning. Can build a group’s identity and a feeling of pride in one’s nation or group Can divide people when speakers of different languages in a region may come into conflict if one group feels the other is favored. Dialect - versions of a language that reflect changes in speech patterns related to class, region, or other cultural changes. Vernacular – the local form of a language, words and phrases unique to a certain location. Language spreads along trade routes, through contact between groups that blend their languages, and by migration (language diffusion).  Where are languages distributed? World’s languages organized into: Language Families: collection of languages related through a common ancestral language Language Branches: collection of languages within a family related through a common ancestral language. Differences are not as significant or as old as between families. Language Groups: collection of languages within a branch that share a common origin in the relatively recent past and display similar grammar and vocabulary. Language Families  Major Language Families Percentage of World Population  Where are languages distributed? Distribution of Language Families The two largest language families are… 1.Indo-European Predominant language family in Europe, South Asia, North America and Latin America. 2.Sino-Tibetan Encompasses languages spoken in the People’s Republic of China and several smaller countries in Southeast Asia. No single Chinese language Mandarin is the most-used language in the world and the official language of both the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan.  Why is English Related to Other Languages? Distribution of Indo-European Branches Romance Language Branch Spoken primarily in southwestern Europe and Latin America Most widely used are Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Italian. Regions where spoken languages tend to correspond to the political boundaries of Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy  Language v. Dialect It is difficult to classify languages and dialects. Some scholars treat Quebecan French as a separate language while others consider it a dialect. Many areas have a very complex linguistic geography- Africa-has perhaps 1,000 languages India has about 600 Dialect-variants of a standard language along regional or ethnic lines- vocabulary-syntax- pronunciation- cadence-pace of speech  Examples of Dialect Northern dialect and its subdivisions are found in New England and Canada, extending southward to a secondary dialect are centered on New York. Midland speech is found along the Atlantic coast from New Jersey southward to central Delaware, but spreads more extensively across the interior of the US and Canada. The Southern dialect dominates the East coast from the Chesapeake Bay south. Examples-North Midlands & South pail bucket pop soda or coke You’re an idiot “Bless your heart”  How do Languages Diffuse? Human Interaction-2,000 years ago-Han China, Roman Empire-spread languages over vast empires Print Distribution-Gutenberg’s movable type printing press (1452-first Gutenberg Bible) helped to diffuse, standardize & stabilize European languages Migration-ancient & more recent migration from 16th century to now diffused languages e.g. Spanish, Portuguese, English & French Trade-encouraged the spread of goods & languages Rise of Nation-States-stabilized & standardized languages Colonialism-mercantilism & colonies spread European languages in the Americas, Africa & Asia  Effects of Spatial Interaction Lingua franca: A language used among speakers of different languages for trade and commerce Pidgin language: A language created when people combine parts of two or more languages into a simplified structure and vocabulary Creole language: A pidgin language that has developed a more complex structure and vocabulary and has become the native language of a group of people World Religions :c. Examine Origins the effects of and Di universalizing ethnic religions on local populations, and ffusion including, but not limited to Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. Introduction to World Reli gions World religions are complex cultural institutions that shape our global society Two main categories: universalizing religions and ethnic religions Universalizing religions actively invite non- members to join Ethnic religions are associated with particular ethnic or national groups Understanding religions helps us appreciate cultural diversity and global interactions  Origins of Major World Religions Most major universalizing religions originated in Asia Three largest universalizing religions: Christianity Islam Buddhism Combined, these religions have over 2.5 billion followers worldwide Each religion has a specific hearth (place of  Christianity Origin: Middle East (modern-day Israel/Palestine) Founder: Jesus of Nazareth Sacred text: Bible Key beliefs: ○ Monotheism (belief in one God) ○ Jesus as the son of God and savior ○ Importance of love, forgiveness, and charity Major branches: Catholicism, Protestantism, Orthodox Christianity  Islam Origin: Arabian Peninsula (modern-day Saudi Arabia) Founder: Prophet Muhammad Sacred text: Qur'an (Koran) Key beliefs: ○ Monotheism (Allah as the one true God) ○ Five Pillars of Islam (faith, prayer, charity, fasting, pilgrimage) ○ Muhammad as the final prophet Major branches: Sunni and Shia  Buddhism Origin: Indian subcontinent (modern-day Nepal/India) Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) Sacred texts: Various sutras and scriptures Key beliefs: ○ Four Noble Truths ○ Eightfold Path to enlightenment ○ Concept of karma and rebirth Major branches: Theravada, Mahayana,  Hinduism Origin: Indian subcontinent No single founder; developed over thousands of years Sacred texts: Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita Key beliefs: ○ Multiple manifestations of the divine (often seen as polytheistic) ○ Concepts of dharma, karma, and reincarnation Goal of moksha (liberation from the cycle of  Judaism Origin: Middle East Founder: Abraham (patriarch) Sacred texts: Torah, Talmud Key beliefs: ○ Monotheism ○ Covenant between God and the Jewish people ○ Importance of ethical behavior and following religious laws ○ Emphasis on practice and action rather than solely belief  Confucianism and Taoism Confucianism: Origin: China Founder: Confucius (Kung Fu-Tzu) Focus: Social harmony, ethical behavior, and respect for tradition Taoism: Origin: China Founder: Laozi Focus: Harmony with the Tao (the Way), balance, and naturalness  Religious Organizations Religions organize themselves in various ways: ○ Cults/New Religious Movements: Small, new groups ○ Sects: Breakaway groups from larger religions ○ Denominations: Larger, mainstream religious organizations ○ Ecclesia: Nationally recognized or official religions  Diffusion of World Religions Religions spread through various means: ○ Conquest and empire-building ○ Trade and cultural exchange ○ Missionary activities ○ Migration of believers Factors influencing diffusion: ○ Geographic barriers and connections ○ Political and economic systems ○ Cultural receptivity or resistance  Religious Conflict and Coexistence Reasons for religious conflict: ○ Clash between local and global values ○ Representation of core cultural beliefs ○ Competition for resources or political power Promoting coexistence: ○ Interfaith dialogue and understanding ○ Respect for religious freedom and diversity ○ Separation of religion and state in some societies  Holy Places in World Religions Christianity: Jerusalem, Vatican City, Bethlehem Islam: Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem Buddhism: Bodh Gaya, Lumbini, Sarnath Hinduism: Varanasi, Rishikesh, Vrindavan Judaism: Jerusalem, Hebron, Safed Importance of pilgrimages in many religions  Impact of Religion on Cultural Landscapes Religious architecture: churches, mosques, temples, synagogues Sacred natural sites: mountains, rivers, groves Religious symbols in public spaces Influence on city planning and layout Effect on clothing, food, and daily routines  Contemporary Trends in World Religions Globalization and increased religious diversity within countries Rise of secularism in some regions Growth of interfaith movements and dialogue Impact of technology on religious practice and community Ongoing tensions between traditional religious values and modern societal Cultural Beliefs and Gender R oles and Perceptions of race a ndd.ethnicity: A Global Perspec Examine the impact of cultural beliefs on tive gender roles and perceptions of race and ethnicity as they vary from one region to another (e.g., the caste system, apartheid, and legal rights for women).  Introduction to Gender Roles Gender roles: Expectations society has for how men and women should behave Cultural beliefs: Main drivers behind assigning and continuing gender roles Focus: Comparing developed and developing regions Key areas: Education, workforce participation, and unpaid work  Women's Progress in Developed Regions Western Europe and United States: Significant advancements Education: Increasing enrollment and graduation rates for women Workforce: Growing female participation in paid jobs Challenges: Despite progress, pay gaps and underrepresentation in leadership roles persist  Challenges in Developing Regions Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa: Limited progress for women Education: Lower enrollment rates and higher dropout rates for girls Workforce: Restricted access to jobs and economic opportunities Cultural barriers: Traditional beliefs often limit women's roles outside the home  Global Workforce Participation and Pay Women lag behind men in most regions worldwide: ○ Lower workforce participation rates ○ Pay gaps (women earning less for similar work) Unpaid work disparity: ○ Women do more unpaid work (childcare, housework, cooking) ○ Graph: Regional differences in unpaid work distribution between genders  Impact of Women's Empowerment Regions with more empowered women show: ○ Stronger economies ○ Greater overall stability Examples of positive outcomes: ○ Higher GDP growth ○ Improved education levels for children ○ Better health outcomes for families The Caste System in India Definition: System of social hierarchy based on Hindu religion Four main levels (from highest to lowest): ○ Brahmin ○ Kshatriya ○ Vaishya ○ Shudra Untouchables: Lowest group, outside the main caste system Current status: Officially illegal but still influences social status Apartheid in South Africa Definition: System of racial segregation enforced by law (1948-1994) Key features: ○ White minority rule in a majority Black country ○ Banned interracial marriages ○ Racial classification of all citizens ○ Segregated living areas and public facilities ○ Restricted movement for non-white people Consequences: Creation of slums, poor living conditions for non-whites  Women's Legal Rights: Global Progress and Challenges Voting rights: ○ Saudi Arabia: Women gained right to vote in 2015 ○ United States: Women's suffrage less than 100 years old Ongoing challenges: ○ Child marriage in northern India ○ Restricted land ownership in some African countries ○ Dress code restrictions (e.g., Swaziland)  Conclusion: The Path Forward Cultural beliefs continue to shape gender roles globally Progress varies significantly between regions Key areas for improvement: ○ Education access ○ Workforce participation ○ Equal pay ○ Legal rights Goal: Empower women to create more stable and prosperous societies worldwide  The Rapid Spread of Culture e. Explain the processes of culture diffusion and convergence through the effects of various media norms, transnational corporations, and technological advancements in transportation infrastructure (e.g., Coca-Cola and American fast food Restaurants, Social Media networks, and universalized clothing choices).  What is Globalization? Definition: The rapid diffusion of culture around the world Easier spread of brands, styles, and pop culture from their origin Factors contributing to globalization: ○ Traditional media (TV) ○ Social media ○ Improved transportation ○ Transnational companies  The Role of Media in Globalization Traditional media (TV): ○ Exposes the world to Western styles of dress, music, and food Social media impact: ○ Increased speed of cultural diffusion ○ Easy access to information on smartphones Popular platforms: ○ Facebook: (1.7) billion users ○ Instagram: (500) million users ○ Twitter: (313) million users Transnational Companies and Cultural Adaptation Fast food examples: ○ KFC in China: Largest restaurant chain with (20,000) locations Adapted menus to local tastes ○ McDonald's in India: Adapted menu for Hindu culture (no beef) Example: McAloo Tikki burger Beverage companies: ○ Coca-Cola and Pepsi Global success through advertising and local adaptation Impact of Globalization on Daily Life Increased exposure to different cultures through travel Widespread availability of international products Cultural diffusion visible in: ○ Food choices ○ Clothing styles ○ Technology use ○ Ideas and values Both positive and negative effects on local cultures