World Cultures
Students in C Group are enrolled in World Cultures, with students in I & A Groups alternating between Foreign Language and Advanced World Cultures. Students in this course will explore the relationship between language and culture, identify the features and structures of language, explore the relationship between language and cultural identity, and investigate how culture creates and transforms individual and social experiences.
The Biological Basis of Language
"The modern human brain is among the largest, in proportion to body size, of all animals. This development was crucial to language ability because a tremendous amount of brain power is required to process, store, produce, and comprehend the complex system of any human language and its associated culture. In addition, two areas in the left brain are specifically dedicated to the processing of language; no other species has them. They are Broca’s area in the left frontal lobe near the temple, and Wernicke’s area, in the temporal lobe just behind the left ear." - Linda Light, Linguistic Anthropology, California State University
Student Learning Objectives:
National Geographic - Culture
Discover the Mysteries of Broca's Area and Speech
Wernicke's Area in the Brain
Unit 1 Quizlet Study Set
Language and Identity
"An ethnicity, or ethnic group, is a group of people who identify with each other based on some combination of shared cultural heritage, ancestry, history, country of origin, language, or dialect. Because of the social implications and biological inaccuracy of the term “race,” it is often more accurate and appropriate to use the terms ethnicity or ethnic group. A language variety is often associated with an ethnic group when its members use language as a marker of solidarity." Linda Light, Linguistic Anthropology, California State University
CASE STUDY #1: SPAIN:
"Learning the Spanish language is more than just grammar and vocabulary. It is also about getting to know the Spanish people and their culture and ways of life. Spanish traditions, customs, celebrations, and other cultural activities are unique to Spanish society. Additionally, Spain is known for its hospitality and relaxed way of life; and this is one thing students and visitors love about Spain and the Spanish culture.Come with us and learn about the Spanish culture and the customs and traditions in Spain." -Ideal Education Group
RESOURCE LINKS:
TED Ed "How Languages Evolve"
Spanish Culture & Customs Webquest
Passport to Spain Project
"The modern human brain is among the largest, in proportion to body size, of all animals. This development was crucial to language ability because a tremendous amount of brain power is required to process, store, produce, and comprehend the complex system of any human language and its associated culture. In addition, two areas in the left brain are specifically dedicated to the processing of language; no other species has them. They are Broca’s area in the left frontal lobe near the temple, and Wernicke’s area, in the temporal lobe just behind the left ear." - Linda Light, Linguistic Anthropology, California State University
Student Learning Objectives:
- Students will identify the design features of human languages
- Students will describe the basic structures of language including phonemes, morphemes, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics
National Geographic - Culture
Discover the Mysteries of Broca's Area and Speech
Wernicke's Area in the Brain
Unit 1 Quizlet Study Set
Language and Identity
"An ethnicity, or ethnic group, is a group of people who identify with each other based on some combination of shared cultural heritage, ancestry, history, country of origin, language, or dialect. Because of the social implications and biological inaccuracy of the term “race,” it is often more accurate and appropriate to use the terms ethnicity or ethnic group. A language variety is often associated with an ethnic group when its members use language as a marker of solidarity." Linda Light, Linguistic Anthropology, California State University
CASE STUDY #1: SPAIN:
"Learning the Spanish language is more than just grammar and vocabulary. It is also about getting to know the Spanish people and their culture and ways of life. Spanish traditions, customs, celebrations, and other cultural activities are unique to Spanish society. Additionally, Spain is known for its hospitality and relaxed way of life; and this is one thing students and visitors love about Spain and the Spanish culture.Come with us and learn about the Spanish culture and the customs and traditions in Spain." -Ideal Education Group
RESOURCE LINKS:
TED Ed "How Languages Evolve"
Spanish Culture & Customs Webquest
Passport to Spain Project
CASE STUDY #2: FRANCE
Answer the following questions in your notes using the web-links which follow:
1. Which other European nations border France?
2. What percentage of France's landscape is covered by either forests, countryside, or farmland?
3. What percentage of French territory has been preserved by the government?
4. What was Gaul?
5. What treaty created the area that would become France?
6. What is unique about France's diversity?
7. How would you describe France's current government system?
8. What is unique about French tourism?
9. What is the French Tricolor? Draw a quick sketch in your notes.
10. What symbolism exists in the French flag's colors? Identify at least 5 examples.
11. What do the colors of the French flag mean?
RESOURCE LINKS:
National Geographic Facts About France
How Did the French Flag Come to Be?
Cultural Borders
Culture is a shared set of meanings, such as values and beliefs and practices and ideas, which are lived through the material and symbolic practices of everyday life. Culture is entirely spatial. It can diffuse, contract, intensify, and expand, Often cultures will disappear entirely. Often people will fight to preserve their culture. One method of attempting to preserve a culture is to demarcate or solidify control over particular spaces or regions, At the global scale, this might mean gaining national control over a state apparatus. At the local level, this may mean establishing meeting spaces where only a certain culture congregates. -National Geographic
Student Learning Outcomes:
Basque Country Viewing Link
Basque Country Viewing Guide
French Art & Architecture
Over the centuries, France has played a leading role in the cultural life of Europe. The influence of French art and architecture has been particularly important. From the soaring Gothic cathedrals and beautifully illustrated manuscripts of the Middle Ages to the innovations of the impressionists, cubists, and other modern painters, French art has had a major impact on the art of the Western world.
-Scholastic.com
Student Learning Outcomes:
Lascaux Cave Guided Tour
Romanesque Art
CASE STUDY #3: GERMANY
WebQuest Homepage Link: CIA World Fact Book - Germany
Station 2 Additional Link: Germany Neighboring Countries Map Quiz Game
Station 4 Additional Link: Facts About German Unity Day
Introduction to Germany Quizlet
Germany Language Map
Answer the following questions in your notes using the web-links which follow:
1. Which other European nations border France?
2. What percentage of France's landscape is covered by either forests, countryside, or farmland?
3. What percentage of French territory has been preserved by the government?
4. What was Gaul?
5. What treaty created the area that would become France?
6. What is unique about France's diversity?
7. How would you describe France's current government system?
8. What is unique about French tourism?
9. What is the French Tricolor? Draw a quick sketch in your notes.
10. What symbolism exists in the French flag's colors? Identify at least 5 examples.
11. What do the colors of the French flag mean?
RESOURCE LINKS:
National Geographic Facts About France
How Did the French Flag Come to Be?
Cultural Borders
Culture is a shared set of meanings, such as values and beliefs and practices and ideas, which are lived through the material and symbolic practices of everyday life. Culture is entirely spatial. It can diffuse, contract, intensify, and expand, Often cultures will disappear entirely. Often people will fight to preserve their culture. One method of attempting to preserve a culture is to demarcate or solidify control over particular spaces or regions, At the global scale, this might mean gaining national control over a state apparatus. At the local level, this may mean establishing meeting spaces where only a certain culture congregates. -National Geographic
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will research examples of a cultural feature that has impacted a country border
- Students will consider how cultural features can affect country borders
- Students will develop generalizations about the impacts of cultural features on borders
- Students will explore the Basque case study on cultural borders in Europe
Basque Country Viewing Link
Basque Country Viewing Guide
French Art & Architecture
Over the centuries, France has played a leading role in the cultural life of Europe. The influence of French art and architecture has been particularly important. From the soaring Gothic cathedrals and beautifully illustrated manuscripts of the Middle Ages to the innovations of the impressionists, cubists, and other modern painters, French art has had a major impact on the art of the Western world.
-Scholastic.com
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will trace the major prehistoric sites in France
- Students will analyze and recreate examples of Paleolithic art
Lascaux Cave Guided Tour
Romanesque Art
CASE STUDY #3: GERMANY
WebQuest Homepage Link: CIA World Fact Book - Germany
Station 2 Additional Link: Germany Neighboring Countries Map Quiz Game
Station 4 Additional Link: Facts About German Unity Day
Introduction to Germany Quizlet
Germany Language Map
Ich und Du Project Resources:
German Culture
Case Study #4: Russia
Resource Links:
Russia Landforms Map
German Culture
Case Study #4: Russia
Resource Links:
Russia Landforms Map