Week5 Culture

Culture

Week 5

What is culture? What do you think are American Cultural Values? What are Russian Culture values?

American Culture and fun facts video

Questions: What is this video about? What did you find interesting? What surprised you? Where in America would you want to visit?

American Values

INDIVIDUALISM, INDEPENDENCE AND PRIVACY

Definition: People are seen as separate individuals (not group members) with individual needs. People need time to be alone and to be themselves. Result: Americans may be seen as self-centered and sometimes isolated and lonely.

Consumerism and Materialism

Definition: Consumerism and material goods are seen as the just rewards of hard-work, the evidence of "God's favor." Result: Americans are seen as caring more for things than people or relationships..

ACTION AND WORK ORIENTATION

Definition: Americans believe that work is morally right; that it is immoral to waste time. Result: There is more emphasis on "doing" rather than "being". This is a no-nonsense attitude toward life.

CHANGE / MOBILITY

Definition: Change is seen as positive and good. This means progress, improvement and growth. Result: An established transient society geographically, economically and socially.

EQUALITY / EGALITARIANISM

Definition: People have equal opportunities; people are important as individuals, for who they are, not from which family they come. Result: A society where little deference is shown or status is acknowledged.

PRACTICALITY / EFFICIENCY

Definition: Practicality is usually the most important consideration when decisions are to be made. Result: Americans place less emphasis on the subjective, aesthetic, emotional or consensual decisions.

FUTURE ORIENTATION / OPTIMISM

Definition: Americans believe that, regardless of past or present, the future will be better and happier. Result: Americans place less value on past events and constantly look ahead to tomorrow.

American values: Indiviualism Consumerism Work orientation Mobility Equality Practicality Future Orientation .....Do you think I missed any?

Question: In your opinion, which ones are negative? Which are positive? Why?

CulturaL Stereotypes

What are stereotypes? Are they harmful? Why or why not? What are stereotypes people make about you?

Vocabulary words related to Streotypes: 1. Assumption** - **Definition**: Something that is accepted as true without proof, often based on generalizations. - **Example**: It’s a common assumption that people from big cities are unfriendly, but that’s not always true. --- **2. Prejudice** - **Definition**: A negative opinion or feeling about someone that is not based on facts or experience. - **Example**: Prejudice can prevent people from understanding others’ cultures and backgrounds. **3. Generalization** - **Definition**: A statement or idea that applies to a group of people or things but may not always be accurate. - **Example**: Saying all teenagers are lazy is a generalization that ignores individual differences **4. Bias** - **Definition**: A tendency to favor or dislike something unfairly, often based on stereotypes. - **Example**: The article was criticized for showing bias against certain communities. --- These words can help students discuss stereotypes, their effects, and how to challenge them thoughtfully.

Let´´s look at the following pictures. Take a moment to write down the following:

What adjectives would you use to describe them? What jobs they do, whether they are married, have children, etc

AGree or disagree

Do stereotypes affect who we date?

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