Seminar Culture and Civilisation April 17, 2013

I. Culture- Human Nature Personality

What do we mean by horizon of expectations?
Define human nature and personality. Compare the two.
Why can cultures be compared to the future?
The role of power with respect to cultures and civilisations.
Definitions of cultures. Why is there a symbiosis between culture A and culture B?
Define cultural identifiers.
Life span and forms of manifestation of a culture.

II. Society State - Nation

Why have nation-building legitimacy theories or doctrines appeared?
Define ethiological myth and founding myth. What is their purpose?
What is the role of culture memory elements for a nation?

III. Civilisation
Religiosity vs. the state mechanism. How has religiosity resorted to the systems, ways and levers
of intervention and operation specific to the state mechanism? Why is religiosity not a state?
What is the role of faith leaders?
Definition of civilisation. Characteristics.
Role of religion in the becoming of civilisations.
Emergence and development of civilisations.
Why do civilisations disappear?

IV. Culture identity manifestations

What is the role of symbols for cultures?
What is kitsch?
How is violence generated? What are the causes for extreme forms of violence?
Culture identity manifestations
How do cultural differences manifest themselves?
Culture memory.

V. Culture shock
Define enculturation, acculturation, transculturation.
What is cultural competence?

VI. Measuring culture

How has research always tried to individualise cultures?

1. Power distance
What are the variables for PD?

VII. PDI Differences, related to various social contexts

Why did Confucius support the idea of unequal relationships?

VIII. Individualism Collectivism

Why does wealth encourage individualism?

X. Uncertainty avoidance
What are the origins of UA differences?