Module 06: Other Influences on Who We Are

Map of Major Denominations & Religions, , Public domain image

Description: Beyond culture itself, forces like geography and religion powerfully shape how societies develop and function. This module examines how physical environment and belief systems interact with culture to create unique patterns of human behavior and social organization.

 Module Learning Objectives: By the end of this module students will be able to…

• MLO1: Analyze how geography and religion shape cultural practices (CLO1)
• MLO2: Compare religious influences across different cultures (CLO3)
• MLO3: Apply understanding of cultural influences to group research (CLO4)

 Why This Module Is Important: Understanding how geography and religion influence human behavior is crucial for global work. International aid workers use this knowledge to implement locally appropriate programs. Urban planners apply these insights to design culturally sensitive spaces. Business developers use this understanding to adapt practices to local contexts, while diplomats apply it to navigate religious and regional sensitivities. This knowledge helps you recognize how physical and spiritual environments shape human behavior.

The readings for this Module come from:

Chapter 13 section 1 (What is Religion) in Introduction to Anthropology by Openstax, licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Chapter 15 sections 1 & 2 (The Sociological Approach to Religion & World Religions) in Introduction to Sociology (3rd ed.) by Openstax, licensed under CC BY 4.0.

A portion of Chapter 14 (Culture & Sustainability) in Perspectives: An Open Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 2e by the Society for Anthropology in Community Colleges, licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.