Key Terms Culture and Civilization

Culture

Arts and Architecture

Civilization

Job Specialization

Cultural Diffusion

Government

Cities

Public Works

Social Classes

Religion

Technology

Writing Systems

Eight Features of
Civilization

Culture and Civilization

Culture wide range

of ideas, feelings,
beliefs and habits an
individual shares with
other members of his
or her society.
Civilization
collection of many
cultures within a large
community

Composed of eight
different elements

Cultural Diffusion

When two people from different cultures

encounter each other, ideas tend to be
exchanged which can become brand new ideas
or adaptations of other ones.
This exchange of ideas and beliefs between two
different cultures is referred to as cultural
diffusion.
Examples of this can be Hispanic individuals
making Italian pizza, Chinese people making
Mexican food, Asian cultures following Roman
Catholicism.

Elements of Civilization - Cities

When many cultures

gather together and
their populations grow,
they move from being
communities, to
towns, to cities.
Cities larger areas
that have political
centers, social
centers, and financial
centers.

Elements of Civilization Social

Classes

Social classes
breakdown of
populations and
civilizations according
to social standing or
level of wealth
Societies began to
rank their citizens as
a means of
separating certain
groups from others

Elements of Civilization - Religion

Religion system of
beliefs which usually
involve a belief in a
higher power or
supernatural force
Religion has been a
unifying force in many
civilizations while in
others it has served
to divide.

Elements of Civilization Technology

Technology any
invention or item that can
help make other aspects
of life easier
The use of technology
has been associated
with the level of
civilization within a
culture.
The higher the level of
technology, the more
advanced the culture

Elements of Civilization Writing

Systems

Writing systems
systems that use
symbols to represent
spoken sounds.
Writing systems are
crucial for cultures
since they are used to
keep records.

Elements of Civilization Arts and

Architecture

Arts and Architecture

the defining
characteristics of a
culture's creativity.
Allows historians and
other people to see
the unique features of
a culture.
Distinguishes one
culture from another

Elements of Civilization Job

Specialization

Job specialization
clearly definition of
different occupations
within a society
Allowed for
individuals to become
specialists within a
field rather than
attempt to work many
jobs without any
special skills

Elements of Civilization Government

Government
system of rule over a
community or
civilization
Governments are
necessary for the
protection of citizens
from each other and
outside forces
People subscribe to
government to benefit
from the rule of law.

Elements of Civilization Public

Works

Public Works
systems or amenities
provided by a
government to assist
in the daily life of its
citizens
Public Works range
from subways to
sewer systems to
sanitation.

The Eight Elements or Features of

Civilization

Historians can classify civilizations when they are able to

distinguish these eight features:

Cities

Government

Social Classes

Technology

Religion (sometimes)

Arts and Architecture

Job Specialization

Public Works

Writing Systems