This document discusses definitions of culture and different types of culture. It defines culture as consisting of elements like language, norms, values and beliefs that are learned socially rather than biologically. Culture is shared within a society, though different cultures can exist alongside one another. Global culture refers to people across countries sharing norms, values and attitudes. Folk culture consists of local traditions and beliefs reflecting ordinary people's lives, while mass culture is commercialized and shaped by media.

1. WALT: Define Global
Culture.
E – Give a basic definition and an example of Global Culture.
C – Give a good definition of Global Culture with several
examples.
A – Give characteristics and examples of Global Culture.

2. What have these got to do with Sociology?
Link each of them to anything you’ve learnt.

3. Culture is not an easy term to define. However, it is not too difficult
to identify some of the elements that go to making a culture. These
include language, norms, values and beliefs.
Nor is there complete agreement on what the role or purpose of
culture is. However, sociologists are united in the view that culture
is something which is learned from other members of a group or
community, rather than being transmitted biologically or
genetically. Culture, is also something which is shared by members
of a society. For example, it would be hard to imagine a language
spoken by only one person – unless of course he or she was the last
surviving member of a group that spoke the language.
However, especially in large complex societies, not every individual
shares exactly the same culture, and different ‘kinds’ of culture may
exist alongside one another within the same society, such as high
culture and folk culture, for example.
What is culture – In exactly 20 words. No more no less…

4. Exam …
A narrow definition of culture is that it is the artistic and
intellectual work of a society. Sociologists define culture in
this sense as high culture. However, sociologies identify many
other types and definitions of culture. For example, some
sociologists contrast folk culture with mass culture, while
others discuss the idea of a global culture.
Explain what is meant by ‘global culture’. (2 marks)
Identify two characteristics of folk culture (4 marks)
Suggest three ways in which individuals may be socialized into
a class identity. (6 marks)

5. Exam …
Q. Identify two characteristics of mass culture (4 marks).
- Created by commercial organizations
- Manufactured
- Passive
- Inauthentic
- Associated with industrial societies
- Produced for profit.

6. Mark Scheme…
1). One mark for an example… ieWorld Music.
Two marks for an explanation or definitions such as; people in
different countries sharing the same norms, values, attitudes,
products.
2). Two marks for each of two appropriate characteristics
identified, such as;
- Traditional
- Created by ordinary people.
- Authentic
- Active participation
- Associated with pre-industrial societies.
- Rooted in the experiences of ordinary people…

7. When describing pre-industrial societies in Europe, a distinction is
made between the ‘high culture’ of the aristocratic elite and the
‘folk culture’ of the ordinary people. Folk culture consists of local
customs and beliefs that directly reflect the lives and experiences of
the people, such as folk songs and stories that are handed down
from one generation to the next. With industrialization and
urbanization a new, increasingly commercialized, culture has
emerged, shaped by media influences and technology. Some
sociologists refer to this as ‘mass culture…’.
Identify two ways in which mass culture differs from folk culture
apart from those referred to in Item 1A. (4 Marks)
Two marks:
A product of industrial society rather than pre-industrial society.
- Consumed passively rather than created actively.
- Unreal and plastic rather than real and authentic.
- Standardized rather than individual.
- Sold for profit rather than created by community.

8. If these are the answers, what are the
questions.
• Ways of distinguishing between social groups through variations
in aspects of culture, language, customs, power, wealth and
status.
• Roles
• Customs
• Feral Children
• Sold for profit.
• Groups within a larger culture that shares aspects of that culture
but also has some of its own values, customs and so on.

9. Link this image to today’s
learning.