Culture and Society Flashcards

What is meant by 'community service' in the United States?

Answer: Unpaid work done for the benefit of the public or a local community

Community service refers to voluntary, unpaid work performed by individuals or groups to benefit the broader public or a specific community.

What is the significance of Thanksgiving in American culture?

Answer: It is a national holiday celebrating gratitude, family, and sharing, rooted in a 1621 harvest feast between Pilgrims and Wampanoag people

Thanksgiving, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, honors the 1621 feast shared between Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag and has become a national tradition of gratitude and family gathering.

What role do newspapers and media play in American democracy?

Answer: They act as a 'fourth estate' by informing the public and holding government and institutions accountable

A free press is considered essential to democracy because it investigates wrongdoing, informs citizens, and creates public accountability for those in power.

What does 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' (DEI) refer to in the workplace?

Answer: Organizational efforts to ensure a variety of backgrounds are represented, treated fairly, and feel welcomed

DEI refers to practices and policies aimed at representing diverse groups, ensuring fair treatment and access, and creating environments where all people feel valued and included.

What is a 'rite of passage' as understood in cultural and social contexts?

Answer: A ceremony or event marking an important transition in a person's life, such as graduation or marriage

A rite of passage is a ritual or milestone event that marks an individual's transition from one social status or life phase to another, such as graduation, marriage, or a coming-of-age ceremony.

What is 'civic engagement'?

Answer: Active participation in the political, social, and community life of one's society

Civic engagement encompasses a broad range of activities — voting, volunteering, attending community meetings, advocacy — through which citizens participate in improving public life.