Sociology Unit 2 Writing Assignment PDF

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Written Assignment Unit 2: The difference between Material and Nonmaterial Culture In My World University of the People SOCIOLOGY 1502 AY2021-T2 Chinasa Eke-Mcclean (Instructor) April 21st, 2020

Culture is a very broad phenomenal which include what people think of people’s thoughts those things which people cannot touch, and things which are tangible. Thus, the gist of this discussion to differentiate between material culture and non-material culture. Will also analyse objects that constitute my regular cultural experience and identifying aspects of non- material culture represented by this objects. The difference between material and non-material culture According to Little et al (2014) material culture refers to objects belonging of a group of people. For instance, these can be physical objects that people can create and use to serve a common purpose. Examples of physical objects that people can create can be cars, clothes, books, cooking utensils which they can use in almost a similar way hence forming a material culture. One noticeable example of such a material culture can be a physical structure in form of building were people worship like a church or a mosque. On the contrary, non-,material culture consist of ideas, and beliefs of a society ( Little et al,2014). Thus, unlike material culture, non-material culture consist of abstract human creations which cannot be touched. Examples of these non-material cultures include family patters , ideas, political and economic systems, rules, skills and work practices. Identifying ten objects that are part of your regular cultural experience.

CULTURAL OBJECTS

NON-MATERIAL CULTURE VALUES & BELIEFS

Church building

Believed to be a holy place of worshiping and communication with God.

Clothes

Certain clothes presents people’s beliefs like

graduation gown represents knowledge in my culture. Books

Literature ancient

books represent peoples

knowledge culture and lifestyle. Rosary

Also resembles to have spiritual holiness, refers to a form of prayers used in the catholic

The (African )drums

church. It is a sign of a religion. Healing and psychic-transformation powers. Believed to be used by a god to relate to

A plough

humans in the profane realm.(Umoh,2005) In traditional African society resembles economic values due to the farming nature of the African society. It also viewed as a symbol

Cattles

of cooperation. In most African countries resembles marital rites and is associated with wealthy, power, influences, and social status.

Beads

Poses the aesthetic values which gave vent to the production of the African art. Some of the beads are given before or during marriage to prepare the maiden and make her look as

Crown

good, beautiful and healthy. Worn by chiefs is a sign of political powers showing or clan head or village head. It is believed that disloyalty to the leader was

Jewellery /gold rings

disloyalty to God. Believed to be unifying people into marriage. Hence rings resembles marriage values as people vows to stay in unison.

What has this exercise revealed to you about culture? This was a very important exercise as i am now aware of how sociologist describe two interrelated objects of culture and the ideas associated with these objects. As echoed by Little et al (2014) as we interact with other cultures than our own we become more aware of some differences and commonalities between others and our own culture. Thus, this

exercise made it clear to me that no matter one’s skin colour, geographical location, beliefs , values or language we are at some extent share common or popular culture. It is really fascinating to ;learn that we have physical objects, resources, spaces that people use to define culture. Have learned that all the physical aspects of culture help to define member’s behaviours and perceptions. For instance, as students learn to use computers to survive in the world’s business or college , other students in some other parts of the society ‘s farming community will be learning to build weapons for hunting. In conclusion, both the non-material and material culture are equally important as they are inseparable when defining culture. As beliefs are vital to determine how culture respond to its religion topical issues and events. References Little, W. et al. (2014). Introduction to sociology. 1st Canadian Edition. Houston, Texas, and Vancouver, British Columbia: OpenStax College, Rice University, & B.C. Open Textbook...