AP Human Geography: Culture Seminar

1. How are local and popular cultures?Local and popular cultures are almost polar opposite but Coincide together in a real lovehate relationship. Some people just live for the popular culture while other just stick to local culture and avoid popular culture. Local culture and the book puts it is a group of people in a particular place who see themselves as a collective or community, who share experiences, customs, and traits, and who work to preserve those traits and customs in order to claim uniqueness and to distinguish them selves from others. While popular culture it a large like a whole country that is typically urban and its experience are quickly changing cultural traits. Like in Norfolk you see what is just cool for us and what we do but also the country as a whole and we take the what we like and leave out the rest.

2. How are local cultures sustained?Local cultures are sustained in many ways even as much of it fades over time and more is created. Local culture is mainly sustained to traditions and customs. A custom is a practice by a group of people that routinely follow. Like a custom could be any thing from always going having big 4th of July parties to certain Christmas traditions. I also think a big thing that helps sustain cultures is families and churches. Those are the huge things that help me keep my local culture. Like my church has so many traditions and things and really keep us all together but also lets certain things in from popular culture but not to much in my Greek orthodox church.

3. How is popular culture diffused?

Popular culture is diffused every where, in every town, high school, church, groups, everywhere. They all have there own stars and idol are from there area and that they get from the media, TV, internet and so on. The country and even the world all know Kobe and Shaq. You see popular in music, dance, clothing, food, religious practices and aesthetic values. These all are all way it gets diffuse and shown. Popular culture diffuses by transportation, marketing, and communication networks. The newest hottest thing in Paris can be seen in America in a matter of days.

4. How can local and popular culture be seen in the cultural landscape?

Local and popular cultures can be seen all over, by an area’s cultural landscape. In big cities there are tons of skyscrapers and large airports. In these area’s and all around the world you can see popular culture like McDonalds, block busters, Dunking donuts, and many other popular American places. But then you can see how the building look there shapes and colors it may be a McDonalds but its not styled the way one in America is. Also you can tell a lot by the types of religious buildings if they have a lot of church synagogues you can tell a lot about the people and there local culture. Then for example if you go to a place like Arizona every thing is tan and has a southwest look to it but then if you go to the east coast there will be a much different look.