Unit 1.2 Social Structure and Cultural Traditions

World History Lecture Notes

Systems present in a Civilization include Political, Social, Economic, Education, & Cultural

Political-Who is in control? How do they stay in control? What is the name of the political system? What type of military do they have and what battles were they engaged in? What person was most influential and controlled in an effective or ineffective way?

Social - Whose on top and why?

Cultural - What is their way of life? How does art reflect the values of the society? Who are some significant philosophers and artists?

Economic - What is produced? What is their major economic activity? How do they support their civilization?

Education - How are the values of the civilization maintained and transmitted? Who teaches? Whose responsibility is it to teach and who gets taught?

Geography-What are the physical features like and how did they effect the development of the civilization?

In-Depth Information

I. Political (Power)

A. Who is in control?(generally speaking not a name)
1. Name and define the type of government they have(What)
2. Why does it work?(why)
B. How did they get control?
1. List significant rulers and their accomplishments(Who)
C. How do they keep control?
1. What is the structure of their military?
a. Describe significant battles
2. How long did they stay in control?(When)

II. Social (Relationships)

A. What is the class structure?
1. What role or need do they fill for the civilization?
2. Who is in the upper class?
3. Why do people regard them more than others?
B. What family structure do they have?
1. What is the role of women/wife?
2. What is the role of men/husband?
C. What education system do they have that maintains this class structure?
1. Who is educated ?
2. What is most emphasized in the educational process?

III. Culture (Way of life)

A. What is most important in the civilization or what do they "value"?
1. Who is the keeper of the culture?
B. What are the cultural activities of the civilization?
1. How do they reflect the values of the civilization?
C. What do they produce that maintains(keeps it going) their culture?
1. Describe the new technology or advancements
D. What type of religion or explanation of the purpose of life do they have?
1. Which God or Gods do they worship?

IV. Economic (Production)

A. What is their major economic activity?
1. How do they maintain their civilization?
B. Who does the labor?
1. How do they profit?
C. Who owns the means of production?
1. How do they profit?

V. Education (Transfer and Maintain Civilization)

A. How are the values of the civilization transmitted?
1. Is this process formal or informal?
B. Who are the philosophers or teachers of the values
1. What values are they teaching?

VI. Geography and Environmental Conditions

A. Impact each of these systems as well as technological advancements that assist the

civilization in overcoming its environment.