CONCEPT CARD (RESOURCES): CULTURAL INTERACTION
Cultural
Interaction:
Cultural interaction is
the mixing of people,
ideas and practices
from different cultures.
Cultural interaction has
increased with improvements in
technology, transport and communication
systems.
Most cultural interaction is peaceful.
It may be the result of: travel or
migration; television, movies or music; the
internet; exhibitions; doing business with,
or buying from other countries. People
learn languages, try new foods, and
experience new festivals. However, at
times cultural interaction results in
misunderstandings, or even violence.
Some types of cultural interaction are:
 Monoculturalism: One culture is
dominant, and all others are absorbed
into this, losing their own cultures.
 Core Culture: Minority cultures can have
their own identity, as long as they
support the core (central) concepts of
the society’s dominant culture.
 Melting Pot: Were all the cultures are
mixed and blended as part of society.
 Biculturalism: Where there are
relationships and sharing of
understandings, practices, and beliefs
between two cultures.
 Multiculturalism: Cultures preserve their
characteristics and peacefully interact, in
a society that incorporates practices,
understandings and beliefs from many
cultures.
Example from Society:
British Migration to Spain
The hot sun beats down on the red earth, on the dusty greygreen olive trees, on the white-walled churches. With cobbled
streets, shuttered houses, and old ladies in black sitting in the
shade, this is the Spanish countryside; now home to 675,000
British. In some areas, the newcomers have been welcomed for
bringing life to rural communities. In others, it has led to social
tensions, anger and massive pressure on space and resources.
In the village of Comares, "So many people were leaving that
the school was half empty. Now all the classrooms are full," said an assistant to the
mayor. Carl Shears, a British immigrant said that the newcomers had "reinvented the
lives of people here. This is rural Spain. All the young people were leaving. They had the
TV and internet and suddenly farming olives didn't seem so attractive any more".
Maria Kupers, a Dutch migrant, said that if it wasn't for the new arrivals, the village
would have "died" and its cultural traditions with it. "It's foreigners who have set up art
exhibitions, opened pottery and ceramics shops, organised concerts and music nights in
the bars," said Kupers, who has been elected to the district council.
Yet near Malaga, hundreds of new houses have been built illegally with little
concern for the environment, on pristine hillsides above a beautiful lake. Among the new
permanent inhabitants are those who show no interest in integrating. These are labelled
the 'por favores' because, despite living in Spain for years, their language skills run to por
favour (please), but little more. In one village a group of five British families has angered
Spanish neighbours by drinking, brawling and swearing in the streets. Teachers note
"Often you end up with the children being perfectly integrated, speaking fluent Spanish,
while the parents know nothing." There is also growing pressure on local health systems,
and a shortage of water. House prices are rising with the migration, so in some areas
locals can no longer afford to buy houses. The new immigrants are served by English
themed bars; English newspapers, books and radio; and takeaway shops.
Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=231&objectid=10418673
CONCEPT CARD (ACTIVITIES): CULTURAL INTERACTION
1.
Complete the concept map for cultural interaction.
How the concept of cultural interaction relates to me:
Explain in your own
words what cultural
interaction means.
Draw a picture that
illustrates cultural
interaction:
Cultural
Interaction
Write down three words that have an opposite or
irrelevant meaning to cultural interaction:
Write down three words that have a similar meaning
to cultural interaction:
2.
Around the image, brainstorm how cultural interaction has influenced your life. You may consider food,
clothing, language, media, your school, your community, etc
3.
Complete the table for types of cultural interaction:
Example:
Type of cultural
interaction:
Image to show interaction:
In school, different groups are supported, as long
as they follow the rules and study hard.
The Nazi party in Germany killed Jews, and
wanted all people to be blond and blue-eyed.
In New Zealand, Maori and Pakeha cultures
combine in government systems.
New York migrants developed an accent, food and
culture that was a mixture of immigrant cultures.
New Zealand festivals, art and food of groups from
around the world are widely supported.
4.
Discuss change in society, using the Example from Society: British Migration to Spain. Use the concept
of cultural interaction to guide your paragraph answers.