Newfoundland and Labrador Studies 2205

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1 1 Newfoundland and Labrador Studies 2205 Text Book: Newfoundland & Labrador Studies Selected Topics, NL Dept. of Education Go directly to chapter one click here Topics Unit One: Culture Many forces shape culture and in this unit we will explore four of these: Economics, geography, history and politics. Topic 1.1: Introduction to Culture (pages 36-39) What is culture? Culture is simply defined as the way of life of a group of people. Culture is everything; it includes the writing of books and the building houses but much more. Culture is the way we dress, the way we carry our heads, the way we walk, what we eat, the music we listen to and the celebrations of life and death. Culture is closely linked to the concept of identity, essentially how we see ourselves as a people. Furthermore, culture is constantly evolving and changing where past cultural events becomes part of our Heritage. Cultural Traits The smallest distinctive elements of a culture are objects, actions and values. Categories of Cultural Traits Artifacts the objects, material items, and technologies created by a culture. For example: an ugly stick, a saw, a cell phone or a ski-doo. Sociofacts the structure and organization of a culture which influence our social behaviour. It is our actions around others in different settings. For example families, governments, education, religious and recreation groups like White Wolf Snowmobile club. Mentifacts the shared beliefs, ideas, values and knowledge that influences us as a culture. For example, views on religion, language and morals about right and wrong. For example, how the white Wolf Snowmobile club feels it is right to wear your snowmobile helmet when you use the snowmobile trail system. Culture Complexes when we look at cultural traits separately we only see a partial picture of the culture. Yet, when you see the interaction of cultural traits together you have a better picture of the culture, this is the cultural complex. For example, if you look separately at the cultural traits of snow, snowmobiling and enjoyment of the outdoors you may not fully see the culture of the area. However, if you look at these together as a cultural complex you may predict that the culture might use snowmobling for entertainment or for hunting or for racing. Culture complexes shape and define us, both past and present

2 2 Assigned activities Page 39, Questions: 1, 2, 3 and 4 Describing Culture (How we organize it) 1.2 (Pages 40 43) Culture regions a geographic region where you find a particular culture complex. Thus, cultural regions are organized spatially or where they are located. Three categories of culture region which in the modern are constantly changing. 1. Local culture expression of culture not widely practiced, found in a smaller area. For example, Jiggs dinner is found mainly in our province. 2. Regional culture expressions of culture practised over a broad geographic region. For example, the use of snowmobiles as a means of winter transportation is common in Northern Canada. 3. Popular culture expressions of culture accepted and practised around the world. For example, Facebook and cell phone usage is common throughout most of the world. Organizing culture temporally (time) Traditional culture culture traits that have been passed down from our ancestors. For example, the art of mummering is a time honored tradition practised in many parts of our province. Contemporary culture culture traits that originate in modern times. For example, reality t.v. shows like Canadian Idol. Assigned Activities Page 43, Questions: 1 and 2 Topic 1.3: What Shapes Culture? (Page 44-47) Culture is influenced by many factors: Economics, Geography, History and Politics. Topics 1.4: Economics and Culture (Pages 48-51) Economics: the way we use resources to meet our needs and wants will shape our culture. Our jobs or the work we do: for example: mining, fishing. How we spend our money: for example: travel, clothing, housing, Where we spend our money: for example: locally on our cabins, houses or lifestyle.

3 3 Consider the following economic topics. Answer the following questions How would the following affect your lifestyle? How would they affect Lab West? KINDS OF ECONOMIES The price of oil.we may spend less money on snowmobiling. Interest rates We may not buy a new ATV because it becomes too expensive. Unemployment We may spend all of our time and energy seeking employment or we may have to leave the area or province. Exchange rate for the Canadian dollar if it is good we may purchase more things from the USA or other countries. New businesses opening We may spend more money at that business or we may gain employment there. Also, it could cause another business to lose money. An industry in decline We may have to cut our own spending or move away to find work. An industry in a boom We may be swamped with demands for our infrastructure like housing which then drives the cost of housing up to very high levels. Roads may become more congested and worn because of increase in traffic. Crimes may be on the increase as more people move into the area. Subsistence economy a system where people are working to meet their basic needs (fishing, farming, hunting.). It is the most basic form of an economic system As populations increase people begin to trade and areas of work specialization occurs barrel maker, carpenter,. Use of currency develops so people can easily exchange for goods and services. Market economy everyone uses currency and the prices of goods and services are set by the marketplace. Consumers have choice and there is competition Prices are based on the law of supply and demand Producers use resources to best satisfy consumer demand Consumers get a balance of lower priced and higher quality goods and services

4 4 Economic Activity and Lifestyle We buy consumer goods based on the amount of money we have available to spend and the cost of living. Scarcity when we don t have enough money to meet our needs and wants Opportunity cost when you make a choice to buy one thing over another due to lack of money How do we change our lifestyle to meet our needs and wants? What is your definition of wealth? Case study page 50 with Questions 1,2,3 Topic 1.5 Geography and Culture (Pages 52 59) Geography we are shaped by our site and situation Site refers to the absolute location, its latitude and longitude. It also means the distinctive characteristics of a place: climate, physical features and cultural features. Situation refers to the relative location that is how the site interacts with its surroundings and other places. It includes its accessibility to resources and its connectedness to other places. Geography affects what we eat, the clothes we wear, the houses we live in..it also affects the resources available to us and therefore the economy Consider the site and situation of St John s versus Lab West

5 5 Name an area of the province affected by the following resources Fish Forests Hydroelectricity Minerals (other than Lab West) Oil Activity Take a blank piece of paper and sketch an outline of the province. Take a blank piece of paper and sketch an outline of the province. Hand out Word Search and map Three main questions of geography Where are things located? Why are they there? How might this be important? How does site and situation affect our lifestyles? Traditional foods are available in the area examples: caribou, blueberries, seal meat. Recreation is connected to features of our landscape examples: sports fishing, hunting, snow shoeing, snowmobiling ice skating. The Theory of Environmental Determinism The theory that the physical environment is the primary factor that shapes human behaviour and therefore groups of people who live in similar environments should have similar patterns of behaviour. What do you think? Is physical environment the most significant force shaping human behaviour? Do people in Greenland and Northern Labrador behave in the same way? Have they adapted to the environment in the same way? Do people on the east coast adapt in the same way as those on the coast of Labrador? Consider Figure 1.37, page 57

6 6 Explain how site and situation influenced the development of this town? Consider the site and situation of Labrador West What is the main reason for the towns existence? Is it the result of site, situation or both? Geography and Population Distribution In the past humans tended to locate their homes near resources fresh water, good soil, food sources.. Evolving technologies have changed human settlement patterns. These developments have changed where people need to live. Case Study: Looking at Population Distribution (page 55) Geography and Economy: Connection Why are people attracted to a specific site? What qualities must a site have to attract people to the area? What qualities must a site have to keep people attracted to an area? How can these qualities change over time? Geography and Economy The natural capacities or qualities of a site are called endowments. When endowments are used to meet human needs they are called resources. Endowments that are used as resources vary over time depending on economic or political factors. Viability - In order for a resource to be viable it must be able to be extracted and delivered to consumers in a cost-effective manner. Consider the map on page 57 Create a chart of resources and where they are located in the province What primary resource(s) are exploited in our area? Do you think there will come a time when the resource(s) will no longer be a viable resource?

7 7 Expressing Culture through Music and Song Writing L6c&feature=PlayList&p=15ED335345C1ECCB&playnext=1&play Let s Talk Through The Questions On Page 59 Topic 1.6 History (Pages 60 67) the story of significant events from the past History shapes our everyday lives from the customs passed on to us from the past. It influences the country we belong to and the language we speak. Where are your ancestors from???? Why did they come to this place???? Continuity and Change Thinking like a social scientist The Influence of the Past (History) What you need to know about the past is that no matter what has happened, it has all worked together to bring you to this very moment. And this is the moment you can choose to make everything new. - Unknown A man cannot free himself from the past more easily than he can from his own body - Andre Naurois, writer The Influence of History? Which quote is more accurate of your history? How are we influenced by the past? Does the past dominate us today? Can we make everything new? Can we make anything new? Think about ways your life is influenced by your past. Can you think of moments, events, comments, that have changed your life?

8 8 History AND Heritage History the record or narrative of past events. Historians are guided by the idea of significance. Experiences that have had deep consequences for many people over a long period of time are recorded by historians. Heritage that which is preserved and passed on from one generation to the next. What objects does your family have from the past? What practices/traditions have been passed on? What important values and ideas have been stressed to you? Case Study Page 64 Look at the Population by Districts chart; What could you say about population change in the districts of; Twillingate Fogo Harbour Grace Ferryland Fortune Look at the Population by Chief towns on page 65 What are the three largest towns in Which town had the biggest population change? Continuity and Change Thinking like a social scientist Activity Consider Figure 1.49, page 66. Answer the following questions; What areas of employment appear to have changed the most? What areas of employment have stayed the same? Have new industries been established? Identify the industry. What pattern do you notice has been established over time?

9 9 Politics and Culture Topic 1.7 (Pages 68-73) In Bangladesh or Columbia, you have to be 15 to legally buy cigarettes. In Canada, you must be 18 or 19 depending on the province. In Kuwait, you must be 21. What accounts for the difference? Cultural Differences!!! Different countries have different perceptions of the age that the law should apply. Therefore, cultural differences have influenced the kind of legislation that has become the law. Politics/Government our society is governed by various groups and organizations that exercise authority. Rules and laws are created that govern individual and group behavior. Rules and laws represent the values of the community. List the groups and organizations that exercise authority in our lives People use their time and energy to exploit the resources available to them to meet their needs and wants Politics Politics is the process by which groups make decisions A group can be the decision-making body for a country (government) (formal politics) A group of friends deciding what to do on the weekend informal politics (small p politics). For each group the process of decision-making is different; Discussion Majority vote One person might make the decision The Canadian Parliamentary System Canada is divided into 309 districts or ridings During an election people run to represent the district. These people represent political parties (NDP, Liberal, Conservative) See Figure 1.56 page 70 The individual with the most votes wins the right to represent the riding and becomes a Member of Parliament The party with the most elected representatives forms the government.

10 10 Types of Government See figure 1.57 page 71 Our government a constitutional democracy Democracy the rule of the majority, that is, the majority can make a decision by which all citizens are bound. This means that people in the minority are a disadvantage as they must follow the majority decision Constitutional democracy the constitution sets out basic rights that apply to all citizens. While the decisions are made by the majority, the decisions cannot threaten these rights The Influence of Politics on Culture Elected governments make decisions that serve the interests of the electorate. They are bound by the limitations of the constitution. They use economic, geographic and historical data to enact laws that govern virtually all aspects of our lives and culture Activity Questions 1 to 3, Page 71