Components of Civilization




SOCIAL
o How people organize themselves in society, that is, the interrelationships
among individuals, groups with individuals, and groups with other groups
including gender structure
o A society results initially from the need to cooperate in order to survive.
o Consider:
 What is the class structure?
 What role or need do they fill for the civilization?
 Who is the upper class?
 Why do people regard them more than others?
 What family structure do they have?
 What is the role of the men/husband?
 What is the role of the women/wife?
 What education system do they have that maintains this class
structure?
 Who is educated?
 What is most emphasized in the education process?
POLITICAL
o How people are governed
o Matters of authority and obedience, including who makes the laws,
decides on foreign relations such as war and peace, collects taxes,
dispenses justice, and provides services needed by the general public.
o How people respond to being governed
o Consider:
 Who is in control?
 What type of government do they have?
 Why does it work?
 How do they get control?
 List the significant rulers and their accomplishments.
 How do they keep control?
 What is the structure of the military?
 How long did they stay in power?
RELIGIOUS
o How people explain, relate to, and cope with the mysterious
What they believe or accept on the basis of faith
o A way of making things understandable when rationality is not enough.
o Consider:
 What are the main beliefs and ethical standards?
 What role do religious leaders hold?
 How does religion view science and learning?
 How does religion impact on social/gender roles?
INTELLECTUAL
o How people form ideas and theories
o


How they see or create mental patterns and designs to order their
experiences and make sense out of them
o An understanding that is sufficient to cope with life.
o The technology that is a result of these ideas and theories
o Education to pass on the ideas and technology
o Consider:
 How do science and religion relate?
 Describe the new technology or advancements.
 How are the values of the civilization transmitted?
 Is the process formal or informal?
 What education is required to rise above the lowest levels of
society?
 Who is able to gain the needed education?
TECHNOLOGICAL
o How people develop the tools and means to complete increasingly
complex tasks.
o The role of technology during a particular time period or place.
o Consider:
 What developments in technology are being made?
 Who is responsible for the development of new technologies?
 What effects does it have for the civilization or time period being
discussed?
 How does the new technology affect the civilization in terms of
growth, development and behavior?
ECONOMIC
o How people “make a living,” that is, supply the material necessities and
wants of individuals and society:
 Food, shelter, and clothing.
o The production, distribution, and exchange of goods.
 Trade networks
o Consider:
 What is the major economic activity?
 How do they maintain their civilization?
 Who does the labor?
 How do they profit?
 Who owns the means of production?
 How do they profit?
o At a minimum consider these specifics
 Agricultural and pastoral production
 Trade and commerce
 Labor systems
 Industrialization
 Capitalism and socialism
Additional grouping methods.


CULTURAL
o How people express themselves through the creation of objects and
experiences that reflect, evoke, and intensify their thoughts and feelings
through painting, sculpture, music, dance, theater, and literature. Includes
how people develop traditions that will identify them as part of a group,
i.e. traditional food, clothing, and celebrations.
o Consider:
 What is most important in the civilization? What do they "value"?
 Who is the keeper of culture?
 What are the cultural activities of the civilization?
 How do they reflect the values of the civilization?
 What do they produce that maintains their culture?
ENVIRONMENTAL
o The physical or material conditions in which people find themselves
o The terrain, soil, weather, climate, geographical features with which
people are confronted, and of which they must make the best or move on.
o The effects of demography on the environment.
o The effects of the environment on demography.
o Consider:
 What is the natural condition of the land and climate?
 Where have people moved? Why?
 Have plants, animals or diseases been transmitted to new
locations?
 Have there been changes in population levels? Why?
 What alterations have people made to the environment?