WITHIN THESE BROAD
DEFINITIONS OF CULTURE, HOW DO STUDENTS STUDY CULTURE? EXPLORATIONS FOR
STUDENTS
Prepared by Prof. Marina
Fernando, City College of New York
1. Language:
- How did the language evolve?
- Does language solidify or divide society?
- What role has language played in the evolution
of the culture?
2. Clothing:
- How did the clothing evolve?
- What symbols are associated with clothing?
3. Food preparation:
- What distinguishes their food and why?
- How did their food preparation evolve?
- What are the taboos in their food consumption
(and why?)
4. Architecture and housing:
- What are the determinants and influences?
5. Livelihoods:
- Are they regional? caste/class-based?
- How have they evolved?
- How have they changed the society and its
values?
6. Forms of governance:
- How have they evolved?
- Are they hierarchical or participatory?
7. Social organization:
- Is there a hierarchy?
- What are the characteristics of the family?
- What are gender relations like (the role of
women)?
- What is the role of religion in society?
8. Social interaction:
- How do they greet one another? What are
the variations?
- Aspects of non-verbal communication --
kinesics, oculesics, haptics...
- How do people make friends?
- What do they do for recreation?
9. Rituals, ceremonies and taboos:
- Get information on wedding ceremonies and their
symbols.
- What are the beliefs and taboos associated with
death?
- What are the rituals involved in
childbirth? In puberty?
10. Morality and values:
- What are the most reprehensible crimes and
why? How are they punished?
- How is right distinguished from wrong - among
individuals? in and among families? in political life? in society in general?
- What are people most proud of - as individuals?
in their family? in their country?