Social Studies Curriculum

Unit 2: Seven Elements of Culture

(Suggested amount of time to spend on unit: 2-3 weeks)

FOCUS QUESTIONS

FQ1:What are the seven elements of culture? (EQ3,4)

Investigate social organization
Customs and traditions
Language
Arts and literature
Religion
Forms of government
Economic systems of a culture

S3; PS4 Describe some of the more common forms of government found in the past, giving examples of societies that have practiced them (e.g. monarchy, oligarchy, clan/tribal, autocracy, dynasty, theocracy, republic, democracy).

S7; PS2 Explain the meaning of civic life, politics and government.

S14; PS1 Explain how different economic systems (traditional, market and command) use different means to produce, distribute and exchange goods and services.

S14; PS2 Explain that all countries' economies reflect a mix of market, command and traditional elements.

It is important that these units be taught sequentially. Use American culture to model the Seven Elements of Culture which will then be used as a reference point for comparison of other countries' cultures.

Seven Elements of Culture

Social Organization (family patterns and social class)

Customs and traditions (rules for a society: laws, dress, food, etc.)

Language (spoken, written)

Arts and Literature (values taught through the arts: literature, dance, music, art, etc.)

Religion (type of religion, conflicts among types)

Forms of government (types of gvts, societyÕs laws and political institutions)

Economic systems (refers to: How people use resources. 3 basic economic questions: what goods/services should be produced? How should w produce them? For whom should we produce them?

RESOURCES:

Provided resources:

World Cultures: A Global Mosaic

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES:

Create a personal or group form that you can use to evaluate the seven elements of culture for any country you study.

ASSESSMENTS:

Essential questions
Focus questions
Performance tasks
Tests/quizzes
Teacher observation