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

1. The Emergence of a Global Culture –
Cultural Diffusion
By the end of this lesson you will have:
• Re-capped the impact of globalisation
on migration
• Learnt how globalisation can cause
cultural diffusion
• Evaluated the costs and benefits of
cultural diffusion and ‘westernisation’

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. Rural push Urban pull 750million
Recap starter- pick at least 4
words from the selection below &
explain them!
Blue = 1 point each
Red = 2 points each
Black = 3 points each
Centripetal
migration
Infrastructure Dereliction
Costs of
migration
Benefits of
migration
Tata

5. What is Culture?
• TASK:
• With your partner, write down exactly what you think culture is
• Then, jot down as many examples of ‘western cultures’ that you can
think of

6. Cultural
Traits
Language: some countries have
a single national language with
local dialects, or several
languages belonging to different
indigenous ethnic groups
Food: National dishes
and diet traditionally
reflect the crops, herbs
and animal species that
are available locally
Clothing: National and local
traditions may reflect
traditional adaptations to the
climate (such as wearing fur
and polar climates) or religious
teachings
Religion: There are several main
world religions, each with its own
local variants; religion is an
important cultural trait that also
informs food and clothing, and
may be highly resistant to change.
Traditions: Everyday
behaviour and ‘manners’ are
transmitted from generation
to generation, from parents
to their children, such as
saying ‘thank you’ or shaking
hands

7. Cultural Diffusion
• Diffuse = spread or cause to spread over a wide area or among a large
number of people.
• Cultural Diffusion is a consequence of globalisation. Because it is
largely the western world which has accelerated globalisation,
western culture has therefore been spread over the globe. This is
known as westernisation.
• Western Culture has been spread in these ways:
• 1. Through western TNCs
• 2. Through western media
• 3. Through tourism and migration

8. Cultural Diffusion through TNCs
• TASK: With your partner, try and think of examples for the ways in
which TNCs spread western culture below. Think about:
• Global influence:
• Food, clothes, goods
• Sayings and slogans catch on
• Uniform products bring changes to places
• Evaluation:
• TNCs try and prevent ‘western washing’ through glocalisation to try
and reflect local cultures in their products. However, is glocalisation
just a sophisticated form of cultural imperialism?

9. Cultural Diffusion through the Western Media
• TASK: With your partner, try and think of examples for the ways in which
the media spread western culture below. Think about:
• Global Influence:
• Disney films, Christmas and Halloween in movies, the BBC maintaining a
sense of ‘Britishness’
• Evaluation:
• Films and programmes can offer a window into other cultures. However,
films are often re-filmed to suit a different audience. i.e. the inbetweeners
• Other countries have managed to get their non western-culture furthered
through news and cartoons so actually the media can be an outlet for all
cultures not just western media.

10. Cultural Diffusion through Tourism and
Migration
• TASK: With your partner, try and think of examples for the ways in
which tourism and migration spreads western culture below. Think
about:
• Global Influence:
• Migration brings cultural changes. Europeans took their culture in the
past. Now other cultures are being brought to European countries.
• Evaluation:
• Migrants affect host regions. However, it is hard to gauge whether
these changes are superficial or more meaningful.

11. What type of cultural diffusion am I?

12. What type of cultural diffusion am I?

13. What type of cultural diffusion am I?

14. What type of cultural diffusion am I?

15. What type of cultural diffusion am I?

16. What type of cultural diffusion am I?

17. The Cost and Benefits of Cultural Diffusion
BENEFITS COSTS
Social - Democracy Environmental – the western value of consumption is
negatively impacting the environment through waste
and pollution
Social - Education Social – health issues as fatty western food dominates
Cultural – Awareness of disadvantaged groups
(Paralympics)
Social – more people can now communicate through
learning and understanding English

18. Exam Practise
• State two ways in which TNCs have led to global cultural diffusion (4)
• Explain how western media can lead to cultural diffusion (4)
• Assess the impact of TNCs on cultural diffusion (12)
• You can see here that the same content can be applied to several
different question styles – let’s unpack what each question requires
as a class
• INDEPENDENT TASK: Attempt question 1 & 2 in class

19. • State two ways in which TNCs have led to global cultural diffusion (4)
• TNCs lead to cultural diffusion through food. This is because large
TNCs such as McDonalds (based in 118 countries) can lead to the
spread of western eating habits such as processed and fast food.
• TNCs lead to cultural diffusion through clothing. Large clothing TNCs
such as Nike can sell western clothing such as sportswear and
athleisure globally, replacing traditional garments in that country.
Exam Practise

20. Plenary
• Complete the question sheet for 3.6 in your workbooks
• Extension: Use the question cards at the back of your workbooks to
test the person next to you

21. The Emergence of a Global Culture –
Cultural Diffusion
By the end of this lesson you will have:
• Re-capped the impact of globalisation
on migration
• Learnt how globalisation can cause
cultural diffusion
• Evaluated the costs and benefits of
cultural diffusion and ‘westernisation’