Comparing Cultures: Elements of Culture

Overview:
Students will examine the meaning of culture and various elements that make the cultures of the
United States and other countries unique. Students will use the World Wide Web to research
their answers.

Instructional Objectives:
Students will identify elements of culture and explain their meaning.
Students will compare their own culture with culture in the United States.

Time: One class period

Materials Needed:
Computer with Internet access
Worksheet

Procedure:
1. Review with students the definition of culture.
2. Review with students the variety of elements that contribute to culture.
3. Distribute copies of the handout - Comparing Cultures: Elements of Culture.
4. Tell students that they are to work with a partner to answer the following
question:
If somebody asked you about the culture of the people of the United States,
what would you say?
5. Conduct a whole class discussion to allow students to share their answers.
6. Next ask students the following question:
If somebody asked you about the culture of the people who live in country,
what would you say?
7. Use this time to determine what the students know about their own culture(s).
8. Tell them to use the Internet and complete the worksheet.
9. Follow-up assignment: Have students make posters showing the cultural
differences and/or similarities between the United States and their countries.
 Comparing Culture: Elements of Culture

We can use several elements to help us define culture and explain how culture is expressed in
different countries around the world. Complete the following chart of selected elements of culture.
Give an appropriate answer for culture in the United States and in your own country.

ELEMENT MEANING U.S. EXAMPLES EXAMPLES FROM

YOUR COUNTRY
Symbols Something that represents
meaning to the culture.

Values Something of great worth or

value in a culture; a standard or
judgment of what is right,
good, desirable, or held in high
esteem.
Norms Rules of behavior that tell
members of a culture how to
behave in various situations.

Artifacts Object made by a human

being, typically one of cultural
or historical interest.

Religion Rituals and traditions

and beliefs practiced. These may be
religious but may include
anything the people hold to be
important.
Language Sounds and written symbols
that a society uses to
communicate and interact.

POSSIBLE ANSWERS:
Comparing Culture: Elements of Culture
ELEMENT MEANING U.S. EXAMPLES EXAMPLES FROM YOUR
COUNTRY
Symbols Something that represents Statue of Liberty, Bald Eagle, Old Bridge,
meaning to the culture.
Values Something of great worth or
value in a culture; a standard
or judgment of what is right,
good, desirable, or held in
high esteem.
Norms Rules of behavior that tell
members of a culture how to
behave in various situations.
Personal freedom and liberty; Public peace and order, high
equality of opportunity; hard standard of education
work,
Wearing a cap and gown at
graduation. Turn off cell phone
at a funeral or wedding.

Art A form of expression that Hip Hop music and dance, Sevdalinka, sevdah
comes in a variety of forms
including music, dance,
drama, and visual arts.
Religion Rituals and traditions Christianity – baptism, prayer, Islam, Catholicism, Orthodox,
and beliefs practiced. These may be churches mosques, churches
religious but may include
anything the people hold to
be important.
Language Sounds and written symbols English, Spanish, Vietnamese Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian
that a society uses to and so many more
communicate and interact.

Social Social groups, organizations, Band, scouts, Sororities, Middle School clubs
Collectives communities, institutions, Class
and social classes.