cultural literacy
Common reference points
Cultural literacy is familiarity with the shared knowledge, references, and touchstones that allow people to communicate effectively within a culture.
Someone with American cultural literacy knows who Shakespeare is, what the Constitution says, and why I have a dream resonates.
The term implies that effective participation in society requires more than basic reading skills—it demands a common frame of reference.
The class aimed to improve students' cultural literacy.
Study of culture
- classicsWorks of lasting value
- literatureBody of written works
- philosophyStudy of fundamental truths
- historyRecord of past events
art · mythology · folklore · music · poetry · religion · ethics · archaeology
Educational program's content plan
- pedagogyArt of instruction
- liberal artsNon-vocational higher education
- civicsStudy of governmental systems
- teachingProfession of instructing others
learning · scholarship · syllabus · critical thinking · core knowledge · general education · interdisciplinary · academic standards
Traditional practices or import taxes
- etiquetteRules of polite conduct
- moresBinding social standards
- traditionsLong-established customs passed down
- valuesPrinciples held worthwhile
beliefs · taboos · rituals · folkways · conventions · practices · socialization · protocol
State of varied elements
- inclusivityPractice of welcoming all
- empathySharing another's emotions
- sensitivityResponsiveness to stimuli
- worldviewComprehensive belief framework
pluralism · intercultural · understanding · perspective-taking · global awareness · recognition · appreciation · mindfulness
humanities
Study of culture
- classicsWorks of lasting value
- literatureBody of written works
- philosophyStudy of fundamental truths
history · art · mythology · folklore · music · poetry · religion · ethics · archaeology · canon
curriculum
Educational program's content plan
- pedagogyArt of instruction
- liberal artsNon-vocational higher education
- civicsStudy of governmental systems
teaching · learning · scholarship · syllabus · critical thinking · core knowledge · general education · interdisciplinary · academic standards · enlightenment
customs
Traditional practices or import taxes
- etiquetteRules of polite conduct
- moresBinding social standards
- traditionsLong-established customs passed down
values · beliefs · taboos · rituals · folkways · conventions · practices · socialization · protocol · manners
diversity
State of varied elements
- inclusivityPractice of welcoming all
- empathySharing another's emotions
- sensitivityResponsiveness to stimuli
worldview · pluralism · intercultural · understanding · perspective-taking · global awareness · recognition · appreciation · mindfulness · respectfulness
- cultural eventsheritage festivals, folk festival, folk festivals, heritage festival, ethnic festival
- culturesMediterranean cultures, underground, bohemian, African cultures, monoculture
- cultural educationarts education, humanities, art history, art appreciation, diversity training
- cultural exchangestudent exchange, intercultural, exchange program, student exchanges, exchange programs
- liberal artshumanities, trivium, philosophy, history, classical education
- literacies
cultural literacyphilistinism
Contempt for cultural refinement
uncultured · barbarism · boorishness · unsophistication · parochialism
cultural literacycultural alienation
Disconnection from one's heritage
marginalization · cultural isolation · social isolation · anomie · disaffiliation
culture, cultural, literacy, multicultural, culturally, subculture, acculturation, counterculture, subcultural