Related Issue 1: To what extent should globalization shape identity?

Is Globalization an Opportunity or Challenge?

To what extent is globalization an opportunity and/or challenge to identity and culture?

As global contact and connections increase, individuals and groups question if globalization will enhance or limit the opportunities to express unique identities and cultures. In this inquiry you will examine global trends and possible influences they may have.

The forces of economic, social, and political globalization will affect individuals and groups in varying degrees. In this lesson you will examine the impacts of these forces on culture and identity. From the perspectives of the group, is globalization a force of opportunities or challenges?

The impacts are often categorized as effects of acculturation, accommodation, cultural revitalization, affirmation of identity, integration, assimilation, marginalization, and/or homogenization.

To better understand these effects, click to view Identity and Changes (Learn Alberta- LA410/6943). The slide show includes many terms about the effects on individual and collective identity. You may replay the presentation as many times as necessary.

Read

Read three of the following in Perspectives on Globalization

• Read about the opportunities and challenges of urban growth and megacities on pages 94–97 in Perspectives on Globalization.
  
  
• Read about the opportunities and challenges for cultural identities on France on pages 86–88 in Perspectives on Globalization.
  
  
• Read about the opportunities and challenges to the identity of Lubicon Lake Nation in Alberta on pages 84–85 in Perspectives on Globalization.
  
  
• Read about the opportunities and challenges to the identity of the Guuguwarrra Nation in Australia on pages 82–83 in Perspectives on Globalization.
  
  
• Read about the opportunities and challenges to the identity of the Quechua people of the Andes on page 100 in Perspectives on Globalization.
  
  
• Read about the opportunities and challenges to the identity of the Inuit of Nunavut on pages 104–105 in Perspectives on Globalization. Pay special attention to this! We will do a reflection on it! 

• Read about the opportunities and challenges to the identities of Francophone communities on pages 106–110 in Perspectives on Globalization.

Reflections

Continuity and Changes Examine cultural borrowing and reflect on the original cultural use and significance and how it has changed because of global exchange.

Inuit Whale Hunt

Lesson Summary

Whether globalization affects people economically, socially, or politically, the outcomes for a group’s culture or language will vary. Drastic economic, social, or political impacts of globalization may lead to language and cultural loss for a collective identity. There are also opportunities to embrace and sustain a unique culture and language through the technologies that globalization can offer.