APHG Unit III B-List

Religion, Identity & Globalization

Now we’re getting into the deeper layers of culture—how people believe, belong, and build their world. This list covers key terms from the second half of Unit 3, including religion, ethnicity, and how culture spreads or pushes back. You’ll get the core definitions, simplified explanations that actually make sense, and examples that tie it all together. These are the terms that help you explain conflict, diversity, and why culture doesn’t just sit still. Time to level up!

1. Universalizing religion
Academic: A religion that seeks to appeal to all people, not just those in a particular location or culture.
Basic: A religion that’s trying to go global—open to anyone, anywhere.
Example: Christianity is a universalizing religion that has spread worldwide.

2. Ethnic religion
Academic: A religion associated with a specific ethnic group and place, usually not seeking new converts.
Basic: A religion tied to one group or place—doesn’t try to go viral.
Example: Hinduism is an ethnic religion mostly practiced in India.

3. Sacred site
Academic: A place considered holy or significant in a religion.
Basic: A religious hotspot that holds deep meaning.
Example: The Western Wall in Jerusalem is a sacred site for Jews.

4. Pilgrimage
Academic: A journey to a sacred place for religious purposes.
Basic: A spiritual road trip.
Example: Muslims travel to Mecca as part of the Hajj pilgrimage.

5. Fundamentalism
Academic: A strict interpretation of religious beliefs and practices.
Basic: Hardcore commitment to traditional beliefs—no chill.
Example: Religious fundamentalism has shaped laws in some countries.

6. Secularism
Academic: The separation of religion from public affairs and government.
Basic: Keeping religion out of politics and school life.
Example: France practices secularism in its public schools.

7. Syncretism
Academic: The blending of elements from different cultures or religions into a new tradition.
Basic: A culture remix.
Example: Día de los Muertos mixes Catholic and indigenous traditions in Mexico.

8. Acculturation
Academic: When one culture adopts traits from another while maintaining its own.
Basic: Borrowing the fit, but keeping your own vibe.
Example: A Chinese immigrant in the U.S. celebrating both Lunar New Year and Thanksgiving.

9. Assimilation
Academic: When a minority group adopts the dominant culture, losing its original traits.
Basic: Going full blend-in mode.
Example: Immigrants who stop speaking their native language and fully adopt the host culture.

10. Ethnicity
Academic: A group of people with shared cultural traits, ancestry, or homeland.
Basic: Your cultural roots and identity.
Example: Kurdish people share a common ethnicity across several Middle Eastern countries.

11. Race
Academic: A socially constructed classification of people based on physical appearance.
Basic: A label made up by society—not based in science.
Example: “Black” and “White” are racial categories used in census data.

12. Ethnic enclave
Academic: A small area with a high concentration of one ethnic group.
Basic: A cultural bubble inside a city.
Example: Chinatown in San Francisco is an ethnic enclave.

13. Nationalism
Academic: Loyalty and devotion to a nation, often placing it above others.
Basic: Big-time love for your country.
Example: Indian nationalism grew strong during the movement for independence.

14. Ethnic cleansing
Academic: The forced removal of an ethnic group from a geographic area.
Basic: Kicking people out because of who they are.
Example: The Bosnian War saw ethnic cleansing against Muslims in the 1990s.

15. Genocide
Academic: The systematic killing of a group based on ethnicity, race, religion, or nationality.
Basic: The most extreme and tragic form of cultural conflict.
Example: The Rwandan genocide in 1994 targeted the Tutsi ethnic group.

16. Centripetal force
Academic: A factor that unifies people and promotes stability in a state.
Basic: Something that brings people together—like squad energy.
Example: A shared language like French in France is a centripetal force.

17. Centrifugal force
Academic: A factor that divides people and weakens a state.
Basic: Something that breaks the group chat—causes drama.
Example: Religious conflict in Nigeria acts as a centrifugal force.

18. Cultural convergence
Academic: The tendency for cultures to become more alike due to globalization.
Basic: Everyone starts doing the same stuff—like Starbucks everywhere.
Example: Fast food chains worldwide show cultural convergence.

19. Cultural divergence
Academic: The process by which cultures maintain differences despite globalization.
Basic: When people double down on their traditions to stay unique.
Example: The Amish rejecting modern technology is cultural divergence.

20. Stimulus diffusion
Academic: When a cultural idea spreads but is adapted to fit the new culture.
Basic: A remix of a cultural idea that still slaps.
Example: McDonald’s offering veggie burgers in India is stimulus diffusion.