sociology of culture

You are required to number your responses, submit your work as a PDF, and to be detailed and thorough in all your responses. I expect it will take at least one paragraph to answer each question. I strongly recommend you review the Helpful Hints under the Welcome Aboard! folder before completing this assignment to make sure you are following all the directions.

1. How does Becker define culture? Then, based on everything we have covered, write your own definition of culture.

2. What does it mean to say that culture is a "toolkit"? What is in the "cultural toolkit"?

3. What culture do you think the Nacirema article is describing? Why? [Questions to consider: Do they seem primitive or advanced? Do their ways seem foreign or familiar?]

4. There are various components of culture including material objects, symbols, language, values, beliefs, and norms. Identify at least one of each in the Nacireman culture. 

5. Ask your friends and/or family [at least 2 people] what culture means to them. What are the significant similarities and differences in their understanding(s) of the word? How does it compare to your own definition of culture [see question 1]? How do various demographics such as age, sex, race, ethnicity, class, ability, sexual orientation, place of residence, and so on shape their answers?