Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Lesson 4: Culture

 The respect and patience that the younger Rabbi gives to his elder is a value deep-rooted in their symbolic culture. Symbolic culture are the ideas, beliefs, values, and norms associated with a cultural groups interactions and communication.  

Venetian style masks are a huge part of the material culture and identity that belong in Venice, Italy. Material culture is any physical object that we give social meaning and value.  

A sign is a gesture or a symbol that is used to convey a message that society has assigned it. Even though this sign is in a different language the message is clear. 

In Jerusalem it is a not abnormal for people to go to the Mt. of Olives with a white donkey and praise their God, but anywhere else they would definitely get strange looks. Norms are informal "rules", the unspoken understandings regarding appropriate and inappropriate behavior. The reason this is socially acceptable is because norms are specific to their culture, time period, and situation.    

A folkway is a loosely enforced norm that involves common customs, or practices that guarantee smooth social interaction. These droids aren't breaking any laws or strictly held traditions, they aren't hurting anybody, yet this scene seems a bit out of the ordinary. 
Turning your back on the Wailing Wall as you walk away would be violating a more (pronounced: more-ray) and is seen as highly disrespectful even though there are no laws or even signs informing you so. A more is a heavy-weight norm, it carries greater moral significance because it is closely related to the core values of a group.  

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