Lesson designed for A-Level Geography (Edexcel) Unit 3 – Globalisation

1. The impacts of cultural diffusion:
cultural erosion and other impacts
By the end of this lesson you will have:
• Re-capped what you have learnt about
cultural diffusion
• Learnt about the impacts of cultural
erosion globally
• Evaluated the positives and negatives of
cultural erosion

3. Globalisation – Enquiry Question 2
• What are the impacts of globalisation for countries,
different groups of people and cultures and the
physical environment?
3.6 The emergence of a global
culture, based on western
ideas, consumption, and
attitudes towards the physical
environment, is one outcome
of globalisation.
a. Cultural diffusion occurs as a result of globalisation; TNCs, global media corporations (P:
role of TNCs), tourism and migration create and spread an increasingly ‘westernised’
global culture which impacts on both the environment and people ( Changing diets in
Asia). The spread of a global culture has also led to new awareness of opportunities for
disadvantaged groups ( Paralympic movement) particularly in emerging and developing
countries. (P: opportunities for these groups) (6)
b. In some locations, cultural erosion (loss of language, traditional food, music, clothes,
social relations ( loss of tribal lifestyles in Papua New Guinea) has resulted in changes
to the built and natural environment (de-valuing local and larger-scale ecosystems).
c. Concern about cultural impacts, economic and environmental exploitation has led to
opposition to globalisation from some groups. (A: attitudes of pro- and anti-
globalisation groups, environmental movement)

4. Starter – Re-cap
• Speak it out
• Time yourself on your phones. How long can you speak about the
following bullet points without stopping?
• Cultural diffusion through TNCs
• Cultural diffusion through western media
• Cultural diffusion through migration
• Westernisation

5. Cultural Erosion
• Hyperglobalisation = the idea that a westernised global culture is
emerging, leading to cultural erosion
• Some see this as a negative (pessimistic hyperglobalisers)
• Some worry about the loss of global languages to English
• They worry that the main focus in economic globalisation and
enforced capitalism
• Others see this as a positive (optimistic hyperglobalisers)
• The western/global culture prizes democracy, reduced discrimination
and increased freedom

6. Global Cultures - Case Studies
• Changing diets in Asia (pg 192)
• Indigenous people of Amazonia and Papa New Guinea (pg 194)
• Global Paralympics (pg 194)
• In your pairs, pick one case study to read each. You have 5mins quiet
reading time. Then share what you have learnt with your partner. Be
ready to feedback to the class to make notes

7. Changing diets in Asia - COST
• Traditional Asian food was low meat and high veg
• Emergence of western culture has led to more meat
in diet
• This has physical impacts as obesity from fast food
arises
• This has environmental impacts with methane gas
release and deforestation (to grow crops to feed
cattle)
• Led to loss of traditional foods at Chinese weddings
(Shark Fins)
• Meat demand has risen above 1,000 metric tonnes in
2010

8. Changing cultures in Amazonia Tribes - COST
• People in Amazonia region have started wearing more
westernised clothing (ie. T-Shirts)
• Rural – urban migration is occurring
• They leave behind traditional homes
• This has led to an increased neglect of their eco-
systems as they value education and health more now
e.g they hunt for endangered species to eat or sell
(economic changes)

9. Paralympic culture - BENEFIT
• The media has changed the views of disabled people
through broadcasting the Paralympics.
• Disabled people now viewed as ‘super humans’ and
are no longer outcast.
• In the past, the USA had sterilisation programmes
against disabled people which has now been
withdrawn due to culture of ‘superhumans’.
• 1982-92 was the decade of disabled people :)

10. Resisting and Reacting to Global Change –
Quiz, Quiz, Trade
• 1. Which 3 groups of people may experience concern over globalisation?
• 2. What is an example of a country at the extreme end of the spectrum AGAINST
globalisation?
• 3. What is the ‘WHS’ and how does it react to global change?
• 4. What is a cultural landscape?
• 5. What is an example of a site that has been recognised as an important cultural
landscape?
• 6. How has France tried to react against cultural erosion from globalisation?
• 7. How have Nigeria tried to react against cultural erosion from globalisation?
• 8. How have China reacted against cultural erosion from globalisation?
• 9. What is meant by cultural hybridism?
• 10. What is the difference between a pessimistic hyperglobaliser and an optimistic
globaliser?

11. Resisting and Reacting to Global Change –
Quiz, Quiz, Trade
• 1. Which 3 groups of people may experience concern over globalisation?
• Individuals, pressure groups and governments
• 2. What is an example of a country at the extreme end of the spectrum AGAINST
globalisation?
• Cambodia during the Pol Pot years
• 3. What is the ‘WHS’ and how does it react to global change?
• The World Heritage Site preserves local culture through giving special recognition to sites
of cultural physical significance
• 4. What is a cultural landscape?
• A place that has been shaped over time in characteristics by a combination of natural and
human processes
• 5. What is an example of a site that has been recognised as an important cultural
landscape?
• Liverpool waterfront

12. Resisting and Reacting to Global Change –
Quiz, Quiz, Trade
• 6. How has France tried to react against globalisation?
• Subsidises French film makers. 40% of TV output must be in French
• 7. How have Nigeria tried to react against globalisation?
• Led protests against oil degradation
• 8. How have China reacted against globalisation?
• The great firewall of China. Only 34 foreign films a year allowed in Cinema
• 9. What is meant by cultural hybridism?
• A positive view that culture is a melting pot and American culture absorbs new
migrant values
• 10. What is the difference between a pessimistic hyperglobaliser and an
optimistic globaliser?
• A pessimistic hyperglobaliser worries about the loss of indigenous cultures and
languages. An optimistic hyperglobaliser believes that cultural diffusion can bring
many benefits

13. Examples of Resistance to Cultural Diffusion
Artists such as Christine
and the Queen are
encouraged to use
French language in their
songs. Christine got
around this by releasing
her song in both French
and English
China’s firewall bans
western media
infiltrating the internet.,
Instead, Chinese versions
of social network exists/
RenRen (pictured above)
is suspiciously similar to
Facebook!
Only 34 foreign films a
year are allowed in China
– meaning that Chinese
movies dominate the
screens.

14. Plenary
• Complete the question sheet for 3.7 in your workbooks
• Extension: Use the question cards at the back of your workbooks to
test the person next to you

15. The impacts of cultural diffusion:
cultural erosion and other impacts
By the end of this lesson you will have:
• Re-capped what you have learnt about
cultural diffusion
• Learnt about the impacts of cultural
erosion globally
• Evaluated the positives and negatives of
cultural erosion