Unit 2:Cultural Diffusion

What is “CULTURE”?

• Culture : the learned behaviors, beliefs, patterns of interaction, and materials of a particular social, ethnic, or age group.

Brainstorm• What are some similarities between cultures?

• What are some differences between cultures?

Cultural Similarities?

• Do cultures develop similarities separately from one another?

• Do cultures somehow borrow from one another?

• If cultures borrow, how can two cultures geographically far away from each other share things before modern times?

Cultural Diffusion• A process in which one cultural trait,

material object, idea, or behavior pattern is spread from one society to another.

• Can be intentional or unintentional

• Can have both positive and negative consequences

Cultural Diffusion - Think, Pair, Share

• How can cultural diffusion happen intentionally and unintentionally?

• What are some positive and negative consequences that can come from the spread of traits?

• Think of some specifics!

Methods of Cultural Diffusion

• 1. Direct Diffusion- direct contact between two cultures i.e trade, intermarriage, warfare.

• 2. Forced Diffusion/Expansion Diffusion- one culture defeats another and forces its beliefs and customs on the conquered group.

• 3. Indirect Diffusion - culture spread through middleman or another culture.

What are some examples of periods of cultural

diffusion?

The Gunpowder DynastiesA series of Muslim

dynasties in India, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe that conquered large areas and created cultures that combined Muslim identities with

local beliefs

The RenaissanceA time of “rebirth” and explosion of creativity that both drew from

classical Greek, Roman, and Arabic culture and

spread throughout Europe.

The Reformation

A time of religious change that led to the development of many

new sects of Christianity and the spread of new

religious ideas throughout the western

world

ExplorationA period of discovery

where European monarchs funded explorers missions

to India, China, and the “new world”. This period

led to the spread of various foods, diseases,

and cultural items throughout the world.

Essential Questions

1. What is culture?

2. How are cultures diffused?

3. To what extent is cultural diffusion beneficial and detrimental?