World Cultures Name:___________________________

Unit I Europe Block:_______

Exploring a European Country Research Activity
Instructions: Using the Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life (found through the library database Gale
Virtual Reference Library; username and password is colonials), research a European nation of interest to you and
complete the items below thoughtfully and completely. Be prepared to share what youve learned with your peers.
1. To what extent was this country ruled by others? Use evidence to support your answer.
The Etruscans ruled Italy from the 8
th
to 5
th
B.C.

2. Which 20
th
century events had the greatest influence on this country? Choose two events and explain their impact.
Big holidays in Italy are, New Years Eve, Labor Day, and Liberation day

3. Identify the following:
Topic Details
Well known cities, regions, or
landforms


Relative size (size in relationship to
another place)
One of the biggest country in the world
Description of natural environment The environment is different from other countries,

Population size About 58 million
Degree of diversity
(1=homogenous; 10=very diverse)
with explanation
It is a very diverse country many people are married to other genders

Languages/Alphabets Roman Catholic, Jews and Greek Orthodox


4. How does folklore influence the peoples worldview or actions? Explain your answer using specific details.

5. What religion(s) is practiced in this country, and how does it impact the people?

Italy is a Catholic country , 90% of people say that they are Roman Catholic

6. Are rites of passage in this country similar to or different from rites of passage in the U.S.? Explain your answer
using specific pieces of evidence.
Its kind of similar, we have the same type of manners and some of the same traditions , we do similar things with
people.

7. What tips on interpersonal behavior might you give to an American who is about to travel to this country? Provide
at least three.
All you need to do is keep doing what you do in the US and have manners and be polite to everyone and they do like
it when you try things.
8. Is the standard of living in this country better, worse, or about the same as that of the U.S.? Justify your answer
with at least three pieces of evidence.
Italy is the same to the US, but Italy is strongest in the world when it comes to economics. To live in Italy it is very
expensive, they have good transportation there like us they have buses and trains that are convenient.


9. Is family important in this country? Why or why not? Use specific details in your response.
Family is very important in Italian society, Marriage choices, employment, business relationships, and often political
affiliations are all influenced by family ties.




10. Does this country have distinctive traditional clothing? Explain your answer citing specific details.
Italian fashion had its beginnings more than 150 years ago, Italy earns more money from clothing, textiles, and
footwear than from any other of its exports, casual clothing is generally of high quality, jeans are popular, but not if
they are tattered or frayed. Dress wear includes fashionable silk ties and exquisitely cut suits for men, and elegant
dresses or skirts and blouses for women.

11. How has globalization impacted food and diet in this country? Explain your answer using specific facts.
Italy is very big on all types of past. Pasta has been manufactured in the south since the 19th century and pasta
dishes are often prepared with such vegetables as zucchini and eggplants. One regional dish that has become
particularly well known worldwide is pizza, which originated in Naples.


12. How might your educational experience in this country differ from the schooling you receive in the U.S.?
In 2001 Italy had a literacy rate of 98%. Schools in some rural areas, and in the south generally, lag behind those in
the rest of the country.

13. What cultural influences or accomplishments is this country best known for? List and describe at least three.
This country really isnt known for any accomplishments.


14. Summarize the overall economy of this country in 2-3 sentences.
The economy is good but lot of things are expensive if you wanted to live in Italy it would be expensive.



15. How do people of this country spend their leisure time? List at least five activities. Would you want to live there?
Basketball
Football (soccer)
Tennis
Downhill skiing
Boxing
Yes, I would live here.


16. List (in order of significance) what you feel are the three biggest problems that this country needs to resolve.
As the home of the Catholic Church, has negative attitudes towards homosexuality in general, Mafia violence may
involve feuds between competing gangs, the kidnapping of wealthy persons or their relatives, or drug-related
activities, and other problems in the 21st century include illegal immigration, high unemployment, and sluggish
economic growth.


17. Are all people treated equally in this country? Why or why not? Explain your answer using specific evidence.
No, because they do not support gay marriage, many Catholic Churches do not support that so many people do
attend their churches because of that.