Do Now: Would you do the following things? Why or why not?

1. Spit on the floor in a restaurant

2. Come to school naked

3. Hold hands in public

4. Eat dog meat

Taboo and Tradition

Lesson Objectives:Taboos and Consequences

Students will be able to….define taboo and give examples of

local taboosexplain the three types of

consequences for breaking a taboo categorize different taboos by their

associated consequence/s

What is a taboo?

A ban or prohibition of a particular behavior that is enforced by a particular society or culture

Taboo Examples

Eating pork in the Judaic faith Cheating in relationships in most

cultures Wearing shoes in the house in many

Asian cultures

Taboo Variety

Taboos vary consistently from culture to culture, yet are difficult to change within a culture

Most Taboos are not Universal

Look at the following slides… would some of these cultural practices that are common in other parts of the world be considered taboo in your culture?

Click icon to add picture

Wearing neck rings in Thailand

Click icon to add picture

Polygamy is common in mormon communitites in parts of the United

States.

Click icon to add picture

Now teenagers, they were married before as young children due to poverty. Marriage is like a business transaction and forming of alliances between families.

Click icon to add picture

In parts of West Africa little girls are fattened for marriage because wealth and beauty are measured by a woman's weight. They are forced to drink gallons of milk, butter and pounded millet.

Taboo Consequence Brainstorm

Think about the taboo activity listed on your card.

What would be the consequence of breaking said taboo in Mexico? Write it down.

Exchange cards and repeat 4 times. Now, talk with a partner and use you notes

to try to determine: What are the three types of consequences for

breaking a taboo?

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Social Consequence

Legal Consequence

Health Consequence

Come stick your taboo card on

the Venn Diagram

according to its consequence/s

Do Now:

What are the three categories of consequences for breaking a taboo? Give one taboo in Mexico that associates with each type of consequence.

Lesson Objectives:Cultural Traditions

Students will be able to….define taboo and give examples of

local taboosexplain the three types of

consequences for breaking a taboo categorize different taboos by their

associated consequence/s

What is a tradition?

A tradition is a custom, practice, or a belief that is passed down within a society or culture

Tradition Examples

Eating turkey on Thanksgiving in the United States

The practice of bullfighting in much of Latin America

Wearing tribal Kente Cloth in parts of Africa

Which Anglophone country practices these

traditions?

Scotland

Which Anglophone country practices these traditions?

Australia

Which Anglophone country practices these traditions?

The United States

Which Anglophone country practices these traditions?

England

Tradition Variation

Like taboos, traditions vary significantly from society to society and culture to culture.

Discuss with a partner:

Why do we have traditions?

What is their function in society?

Taboo vs. Tradition Because both

taboo and tradition are very culturally based, it is very common that one society´s traditions would be found taboo in other cultures.

Death: Taboo or Tradition?

Lesson Objectives:Euphemisms

Students will be able to….define what a euphemism ismatch various euphemisms to

their meanings explain the relationship between

euphemisms and taboo subjects

That’s so taboo….

Taboos often extend to cover discussion of taboo topics

To discuss topics such as abortion, bodily functions, sex, people´s weight, and even politics can be considered taboo

In order to avoid talking about these taboos directly we use euphemisms

What is a euphemism? a generally harmless word, name, or

phrase that replaces an offensive or suggestive one

Example: To die->to pass away, to go to a better place, to kick the bucket

Euphemism Sort

Look at the phrase on your card. It is either a euphemism, or the more direct version of a euphemism

Then, move around the room and try to find the person who has the match to your card

When you have found your partner, sit down and discuss:

Why is a euphemism needed here? Why is it taboo to talk directly about your subject?

Do Now: Discuss with your partner

Do you believe in magic? Why or why not?

Are there any magic rituals or ceremonies that are common in your culture?

Lesson Objectives:Ethnocentrism

Students will be able to….compare and contrast the

Nacirema with their own cultureexplain what ethnocentrism is and

how it is depicted in the articleevaluate the dangers of

ethnocentrism

Body Rituals of the Nacirema Published by Anthropologist Horace

Miner in 1956 One of the most famous

anthropological texts ever written

Anthropology = anthrop + ologyman the study of

The study of humanity

Discussion QuestionWhat is the lesson of Miner’s

text? What does he want readers to think about after reading this piece?

Ethnocentrism Judging another culture solely by the

values and standards of one's own culture

Ethnocentrism is accompanied by the idea that one’s own culture is superior to others

Ethnocentrism: The World According to the United States

Do Now: Explain how the following cartoon has to do with ethnocentrism.

Lesson Objectives:“The Lottery”

Students will be able to….answer comprehension questions

regarding “The Lottery”identify different reasons for

following traditions in the storyexplain the dangers of blindly

following traditions

Do Now:

What are some foods that we eat in Mexico that would be considered taboo elsewhere?

Lesson Objectives:The Bushmeat Crisis

Students will be able to…. explain what the Bushmeat Crisis

is and why it is an important global issue

relate initial reactions to the crisis with the theories of ethnocentrism

The Bushmeat Crisis Bushmeat is the meat of any wild animal

hunted for food The bushmeat crisis refers to the hunting of

chimpanzees and other endangered species in Africa for food

Some organizations estimate that 10 tons of bushmeat is shipped through Heathrow airport per day

X 10

Do Now: Jot down your thoughts to the following discussion question.

Which is more important, preserving traditions or protecting human rights? Animal rights? The environment?

Lesson Objectives:Socratic Seminar

Students will be able to…. develop and express opinions regarding

whether it is more important to preserve traditions or to protect human/animal rights, and the environment

use examples from various lessons in this unit to support their opinions

use the IB English B Internal Assessment Marking Criteria to peer assess in a Socratic seminar