RLG200H1 Lecture Notes - Clifford Geertz, General Order, E.G. Time
Document Summary
First reading assignment is due in two weeks. Culture is found in material product (books, buildings) Culture does not refer to any entity in itself. Culture as an ideal high culture (shakespeare), elite culture (mozart), objects of high (religious) Culture is an ideal, it is in a documentary sense, and it is in a social sense culture: bible, torah, quran, hindu and buddhist texts. However, it ignores distinctions in (perceived) quality of cultural products. Not only mozart is considered culture, but anything is considered cultural. Film, television, newspapers, sports, pornography are all considered popular culture. Popular culture has only been looked at recently. Three kinds of popular culture: popular as well liked by the masses, popular as simply what people do, popular as being in contrast to the dominant or elite culture. These two can co-exist or be at odds. Popular religions can evolve over time into dominant, orthodox forms of religion. Culture as a way of life and religion.
