American Society and Its Values

Chapter 2

Essential QuestionsWhy do people form groups?

How do groups support both conflict and cooperation?

What role should government play in deciding how much freedom individuals should have?

Is government truly necessary, or are we capable of existence without government?

Groups and Institutions• Socialization - the process of learning how to

participate in a group• Accepting group Values• Learning groups Rules

• Rules - specific expectations about what our behavior should be

Groups Common Examples of

Groups: Friends Clubs Organizations

Why do people form groups?

What happens when group rules are broken? Give an example.

Institutions• Social Institutions

-systems of values and rules that determine how our society is organized• Specific kinds of

groups that we rely on to meet our most important needs and services

• The 5 Basic Social Institutions1. Family2. Religion3. Education4. Economy5. Government

Family• Society’s most basic

institution

• Designed to meet physical and emotional needs• Food, clothing, shelter,

sense of belonging

• Teaches basic values of society and rules of behavior

Religion• Organization guided by a moral code and

spiritual orientation

• Provides community and belonging

• Provides guidance and support

• What are the major world religions?

World Religions

Religious Affiliation in the United States

How do we balance religion with other

freedoms?• Not all religions share the same values

and rules

• Conflict arises when one religious group tries to impose its values on the rest of society• Example - Teaching of Evolution

Education Designed to give

individuals the skills necessary to succeed

Teaches the rules necessary to fit into society Does it help you get a

better understanding of yourself and who you are/want to be?

Through education, America ensures its society will remain free and democratic.

Educational Time for Job Areas

Teacher (Min. 7+ more years) K-12 education, plus 4-5

year college, plus additional teaching certificates

Lawyer (8-10 more years) K-12 education, plus 4

year college, plus 3-4 year law school.

Doctor (14-19 more years) K-12 education, plus 4

year college, plus 4 year medical school, plus 3-8 year residency.

Architect (8-10 more years) K-12 education, plus 4-5

year college, plus 2-3 year internship

Economic Terms• Economy: a system for producing and

distributing goods and services to fulfill people’s wants

• Consumer: a person who uses, or consumes, goods and services to satisfy his or her wants

• Market: a venue for the exchange of goods or services

• Price: the amount you must pay for a good or service in a market

• Money: anything accepted as payment

Economic Freedoms in America

• Freedom to Buy and Sell goods and services• EX:

• Freedom to Compete against sellers• EX:

• Freedom to Own/Sell Property• EX:

• Freedom to Choose an Occupation• EX:

• Freedom to Make a Profit• EX:

Government• Keeping the Peace = law

• Protecting the Country = defense

• Providing Necessary Services = schools and roads

• Maintaining Other Institutions = protection of freedoms, provides services to those in need

Forms of Government• Monarchy: all or

most of the power is in the hands of one individual• Authority is

hereditary (Saudi Arabia)

Forms of Government• Dictatorship:

government controlled by one person• Power is usually

taken by force when an existing government is weak or failing

• (Hitler’s Germany)

Forms of Government• Democracy:

system in which all people share the power• Voting and

Representation

Law: Rules of Government• The Constitution• The basis for American Law• Outlines what the Government can and cannot do. • Lists the rights guaranteed to states and to

citizens

• Laws are designed to be permanent, but they are not absolute

• The law is constantly changing…How?

Politics• Patriotism: the

demonstration of love and devotion to one’s country

• What does this mean?

• Examples of Patriotism?

Politics Political Socialization: the

process of learning how to behave politically

What are our sources? How do we learn this behavior?