The Field of Cultural Studies
Cultural is a broad term that encompasses the social behavior, institutions and norms that characterize human societies. It is a concept that has many different definitions and has been interpreted in numerous ways. Generally, it is used to refer to the knowledge, beliefs, art, law, morals, customs, capabilities and habits of groups of people. The concept is often viewed as being the product of a combination of factors including evolution, environment and history.
The idea of culture is rooted in the work of nineteenth century anthropologists such as Edward Tylor and others. These scholars viewed cultures as the result of natural selection and believed that they progressed through distinct stages similar to the progression of plants and animals. These stages were identified as savagery, barbarism and civilization. This model of the development of culture was influenced by the ideas and philosophies prevalent at the time, including Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.
In the modern era, cultural studies has evolved into an area of academic study in its own right. The field of cultural studies focuses on the study of the meanings and significance that are attached to different behaviors, practices, beliefs and rituals. The goal is to understand the impact of these factors on people in general as well as on specific groups and individuals within a society.
Cultural studies is a multidisciplinary subject that draws from the fields of archeology, sociology and history as well as philosophy, art and religion. Scholars who specialize in this area of study are called cultural historians. This field of study is based on the belief that understanding culture requires an appreciation for all of the factors involved in its creation. The study of these various influences allows for the identification and analysis of the underlying assumptions that shape cultural behaviors.
In addition to examining the impact of evolutionary, environmental and historical factors on the formation of a culture, cultural historians also examine how humans have the ability to conform to or reject their own culture. They also seek to understand the relationship between a person’s culture and their attitudes, emotions and beliefs.
A good example of a cultural artifact is a piece of music, such as Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony or Mozart’s Violin Concerto in E-flat major. A cultural artifact may also be a painting, sculpture or piece of clothing.
The most important aspect of a cultural artifact is its meaning and the significance that it has to an individual or group. The cultural values of a group can be represented by symbols such as heroes and rituals or intangible ideas such as core or abstract drives, which can be expressed in terms of good-evil, right-wrong or natural-unnatural. These ideas are reflected in the actions of members of the culture and influence their decisions. The cultural influences of a group are usually interrelated and tend to be consistent with each other. A culture is often characterized by its consistency and stability over time.
Cultural is a broad term that encompasses the social behavior, institutions and norms that characterize human societies. It is a concept that has many different definitions and has been interpreted in numerous ways. Generally, it is used to refer to the knowledge, beliefs, art, law, morals, customs, capabilities and habits of groups of people. The concept is often viewed as being the product of a combination of factors including evolution, environment and history. The idea of culture is rooted in the work of nineteenth century anthropologists such as Edward Tylor and others. These scholars viewed cultures as the result of natural selection and believed that they progressed through distinct stages similar to the progression of plants and animals. These stages were identified as savagery, barbarism and civilization. This model of the development of culture was influenced by the ideas and philosophies prevalent at the time, including Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. In the modern era, cultural studies has evolved into an area of academic study in its own right. The field of cultural studies focuses on the study of the meanings and significance that are attached to different behaviors, practices, beliefs and rituals. The goal is to understand the impact of these factors on people in general as well as on specific groups and individuals within a society. Cultural studies is a multidisciplinary subject that draws from the fields of archeology, sociology and history as well as philosophy, art and religion. Scholars who specialize in this area of study are called cultural historians. This field of study is based on the belief that understanding culture requires an appreciation for all of the factors involved in its creation. The study of these various influences allows for the identification and analysis of the underlying assumptions that shape cultural behaviors. In addition to examining the impact of evolutionary, environmental and historical factors on the formation of a culture, cultural historians also examine how humans have the ability to conform to or reject their own culture. They also seek to understand the relationship between a person’s culture and their attitudes, emotions and beliefs. A good example of a cultural artifact is a piece of music, such as Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony or Mozart’s Violin Concerto in E-flat major. A cultural artifact may also be a painting, sculpture or piece of clothing. The most important aspect of a cultural artifact is its meaning and the significance that it has to an individual or group. The cultural values of a group can be represented by symbols such as heroes and rituals or intangible ideas such as core or abstract drives, which can be expressed in terms of good-evil, right-wrong or natural-unnatural. These ideas are reflected in the actions of members of the culture and influence their decisions. The cultural influences of a group are usually interrelated and tend to be consistent with each other. A culture is often characterized by its consistency and stability over time.