Element of Culture

What the Modern Middle

Eastern believe

What Americans (at the

time) were like

What Language do they

speak?
*Include regional variations,
for instance, in India there
is a State and National
Language

Levantine Arabic is the most

popular dialect of Arabic
spoken in Syria, however,
there are many different
dialects spoken.

Americans spoke modern

American English
~Dialects were different in
different regions but the
words within the language
were consistent.

What Food do they eat?

*This should not be a list,
but should include things
that are staples in their diet

Meats were very common(

Goat, lamb, chicken)

Chain
Restaurants(McDonalds,
Taco Bell, etc.) , Junk
food(Gushers, doritos, etc.)

What Music do they listen

to?
*Consider, what
instruments they use

Arabic Pop was popular

along with Shaabi, classic
music, and Chaabi, festive
music.

Hip Hop music was very

popular and rising from
many artists such as TLC,
Britney Spears, Madonna, R
Kelly, Mariah Carey, etc

How do they Dance?

*Consider both Traditional
and peasant dances

Different types of dance

styles are: Raks Sharki(Belly
Dance), Gypsy, Persian,
Nubian, and Ghawazee.
There are more, but these
are just a few that are still
continued today by Middle
Eastern People.

Americans had different

ways of dancing. A few is the
Electric slide, Macarena, The
Hammer, The Train, and
tootsie roll. These are not
carried on through tradition
compared to Middle East
people.

What Clothing do they

wear?
*Consider materials. What
is traditional? What is every
day?

Men
~Long robes that come
below mid-shin level but do
not drag the ground.
~They wear keffiyehs on
t
heir heads.
Women
~Covered head to toe with
only their hands and face
showing with a Hijab
covering or veil (some
completely cover their faces
with Niqabs or Burkas).

Among both men and

women denim was a
widespread fashion trend
during the early 90s. Also,
lots of patterns mixed
together to create a vibrant
array of colors and
materials (Plaids, corduroy,
and glitter, etc)

Art
*What art forms do they
use? What materials?

They dance, which is

Postmodernist Art
brought together from
making facial expressions,
to their hair and costumes,
to the movement of the
hands arms and torso, to the
feet and hips

What Religion are they?

*Be specific! Remember
that there are multiple
types ie catholics and
Baptists are both Christians

Islam, Judaism, Syriac

Christianity, Catholicism,

Baptists, Methodists,
Protestants, Catholic,
Mormon, Judaism,
Buddhism

What is their Medicine like?

*Are they herbalists or
mystics?

The Middle Easterners are

herbalists they use medical
plants

The United States are

herbalists and has always
been, but during the 90s this
is when the Nutrition
Labelling and the Education
Act came into place
ordering that there listing
of ingredients, and the
serving sizes on food
products.

Manners
*What do they consider
polite? Rude?

Polite:
-Bringing flowers,
chocolate, honey, pastries,
or fruit when guests visit
your home.
-Use right hand to
eat/accept food
-take food from your side of
the table
-Be patient, friendly, and
considerate in frustrating
situations

Polite:
-Leaving tips
-Showing up on time
-

Impolite:
-Reaching across the table
for food
-Sitting with your legs
stretched out.
-show the soles of your feet

Impolite:
-Yelling during important
events(such as meetings,
presentation, etc.)
-

What is their Education

system like?
*Who gets and education
and what are the steps?
What subjects do they
study?

What is the average Family

Dynamic like?
*What are the roles of the
immediate and extended
family?

The education system in

syria has different branches.
From 1st to 9th grade is
their basic education. 9
years and fromt the age 6 to
15. Secondary school is from
the 16 to 18. It is 10th-12th
grade. This is the same as
Technical and Vocational
Education and Training
(TVET).

American education system

consists of 12 years of
education in a primary or
secondary school from 1st
to 12th grade. Their grading
system is based off a GPA,
which is grading point
average.

The eldest male in the

family is the provider,
protector, and
head-of-house. Other men
have jobs that help the
family, but he is not
completely dependent on.
The womens role is to stay
home (mostly), tend to
children, and clean the
home.

Modern American women

are more independent. They
can have jobs and raise
families without the help of
a man. However, if the man
is a part of the family, then
his role is to provide or help
the women provide for the
family. If the women don't
have a job, then she stays
home to cook, clean, and
take care of children.