Social Studies - World Geography
Lesson Plans

WG Strand 3: CULTURE

Culture is the total sum of human expression. A culture's purpose, as well as how and where cultures originate, diffuse, and change, are all topics worth studying. Students will explore religion, language, ethnicity and other cultural characteristics by looking at patterns and processes. As students explore what people care about and care for, they can learn not only about other cultures but also about the unique attributes of their own culture.

Possible Guiding Questions to Consider:

• How does culture manifest itself on the landscape of the earth?
• How does culture influence social structures and gender roles?
• What effect does globalization and emerging technologies have on the divergence and convergence of culture?
• How do cultures maintain their identities and traditions?
• How are humans shaped and influenced by their own cultures?
• How can learning about other cultures teach us about our own?

WG Standard 3.4:

Students will identify the causes, methods, and effects for the diffusionand distribution of cultural characteristics among different places and regions.

• Cultural Diffusion in Korean Society
  Cultural or spatial diffusion is the process of the spread of an idea or innovation from one culture to another. This process is more likely to occur from cultural hearths, or centers of culture that are closer in proximity to each other. With the rise of globalization and technology the spread of culture is more prevalent than ever before. Barriers to cultural diffusion include time and distance it takes for the ideas to travel, known as time distance decay, as well as the prevailing attitudes and taboos which might hinder the adoption of new culture. South Korea is an ideal case study to examine both elements of unique culture and cultural diffusion. Sometimes described as the ?shrimp between two whales,? and a dominant economic power in Asia, South Korea is no stranger to the forces of foreign influence and cultural diffusion. Yet as a modern industrialized country who has embraced globalization, they have also maintained many elements of vibrant and unique culture. In examining South Korean culture, both of these trends can be readily observed.

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http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).  Send questions or comments to USBE Specialist - Robert  Austin and see the Social Studies website. For general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director - Jennifer  Throndsen.

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