REGIONAL STUDIES What is a region REGION

REGIONAL STUDIES

What is a region? REGION – a unit on the earth’s surface that has several unifying characteristics. . A EX M PL . . ES Southeast Asia The American South North Africa New England Western Europe Southeastern PA Middle East Philadelphia suburbs

Unifying characteristics of a region 1. Geography RIVERS LAKES SHORELINES MOUNTAINS

Unifying characteristics of a region 2. CLIMATE How does climate shape the lifestyle of people living in the Middle East?

Unifying characteristics of a region 3. HISTORY

Unifying characteristics of a region 4. Government, Economy and Resources US Cotton Belt EUROZONE “Eastern Bloc” communistdominated countries

Unifying characteristics of a region 5. CULTURE Culture is a key component of every society. It is a learned pattern of behavior and way in which a person lives his or her life. Culture is essential for the existence of a society, because it ties people together. Culture is necessary to establish an order and discipline in a society. It is not only a means of communication between people, but also creates a feeling of belonging and togetherness among people in the society. Applying concepts – 3 case studies See student worksheet

Case Study #1 Plantation slavery in the North?

Case Study #2 Russian southern expansion

Case Study #3 Colonialization of Africa

What is culture? List 4 characteristics that you think make someone an AMERICAN…

What is culture? What ties people together in any group or larger society? Elements of Culture – • Language • Social Groups • Religion • Customs, Traditions and Interests

What is Culture? http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=57 KW 6 RO 8 Rcs

What is culture? Student Voices http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=k 1 y. Uj. Npp_ps

Elements of Culture Language One of the strongest unifying forces People who speak the “same” language may speak a DIALECT (a regional or local variation of the language with distinct vocabulary and grammar) or speak with an ACCENT (variation mainly in pronunciation) ? AGIE HO OP? P How do you pronoun “water” CAJUN

Social Groups ETHNIC group – a group of people who share a common history, language, religion, and/or some physical characteristics ality on nation Based r origin or place o American African American Irish American on inly a ed m Bas age u Hispanics lang Slavs lity ationa nn sed o Ba ge angua and l Polish Hungarian French Mexican y on d mainl Base religion Jewish Muslim Hindu

Cultural Conundrums. . . My parents are Jewish and grew up in Poland? What am I? I was born in Vietnam and adopted by American parents when I was 3 years old. What am I? My parents grew up in Korea where I was born. I came the US with my parents when I was 10 years old. What am I?

Social Groups. . . Family Relationships (kinship) • Nuclear family – based around mother/father and their children • Extended family – based around parents, their children and other close family relatives living in the same home or nearby

Social Groups. . . Marriage Monogamy – married to one wife Polygamy – married to several wives Mormon polygamist family in US Polygamy in Maylaysia

Religion Understanding someone else’s culture is a matter of respect. It can also be a matter of life and death. http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=MHg. GF-j. D 97 o&feature=related

Religion Levels of religious practice… • Orthodox or observant – fairly strict in following religious beliefs and practices • Reformed or modern – adapt religious practice to modern life • Non-observant – identify with a religion but practice very few if its beliefs and traditions • Fundamentalist – strict following of religious beliefs and practices based on literal (exact, word-for-word) interpretation of holy scriptures (Bible, Qur’an, etc. )

Religion Symbol CHRISTIANITY God Place of Worship Jesus Christ Church Basic Beliefs Faith in Jesus who died for man’s sins and through God’s grace believers can receive salvation and receive eternal life in heaven Regions/countries North America, Latin America, Europe, parts of Africa, Australia Holy Scriptures Bible New Testament Gospels

Religion Symbol ISLAM God Allah Place of Worship Mohammed (prophet of God) Mosque Basic Beliefs By following five pillars of faith – belief, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage to Mecca – believers go to eternal paradise Regions/countries Middle East, North Africa, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Malaysia and Indonesia Holy Scripture Quran (Qu’ran) (Koran)

Religion Symbol HINDUISM God Brahman Place of Worship and lesser gods Temple or home shrine Basic Beliefs Believers in quest for enlightenment (escape from ignorance). Birth, death, and rebirth (reincarnation) until one reaches state or perfect knowledge Regions/countries India Holy Scripture Vedas Bhagavad Gita

Religion Buddhism Symbol God Place of Worship The teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) Temple Basic Beliefs Believers seek to escape cycle or rebirth and achieve state of happiness – nirvana Regions/countries India, China, and Southeast Asia Holy Scripture Sutras (religious teachings)

Religion JUDAISM Symbol God G-d Place of Worship (Jehovah) Synagogue Temple (reformed) Basic Beliefs Belief that by following God’s laws and doing good deeds, Jews will achieve inner peace and peace with others. Focus on this life, not the afterlife. Regions/countries US, Israel, Europe Holy Scripture Torah Bible (Old Testament)

Customs, traditions and interests Japanese Kabuki theater Indian cricket player Mohawk Indian “high steel” workers Russian ballet

Why talk about culture so much? CREATIVITY CONFLICT

Afghanistan