A Case Study of Hip Hop and Cultural Diffusion
1. What is cultural diffusion? Why would sociologists study cultural diffusion?
2. What is a cultural hearth? Why are they important to cultural diffusion?
3. How does distance decay and time space compression influence how culture is spread?
With Distance Decay, the likelihood of diffusion decreases as time and distance from the hearth increases.
With Time-Space Compression, the likelihood of diffusion depends upon the connectedness among places.
Hip Hop Case Study
4. According to the reading where did Hip Hop begin and why?
5. Describe what early Hip Hop sounded like?
6. What other types of music does Hip Hop sound like? How has it been used in other forms of music?
7. How is the beginning of Hip Hop an example of a cultural hearth?
8. What location did Hip Hop spread to?
9. How was the diffusion of Hip Hop possible?
10. How does the Hip Hop in the non-American location differ from early Hip Hop created in the U.S.?
11. How did distance decay and time-space compression effect the cultural diffusion of Hip Hop?
Your example of Cultural Diffusion
Use the graphics of the cultural hearth and cultural diffusion and explain how cultural practices such as food,
sports, and entertainment diffuse and are effected by distance decay and time-space compression.
Topics you can use include:
soccer in America and soccer in Europe
Canadian Football and American Football
Fast food restaurants in America and fast food restaurants in England
Snow boarding in America and snow boarding in The United Arab Emirates
Cartoons in America and cartoons in Japan
Theme parks in America and theme parks in Europe
Automobiles in America and automobiles in India
Your Topic Case Study
12. According to your research where did your topic begin and why?
13. Describe what your early topic was like?
14. How did your topic influence other versions of your topic? How did what was created evolve and adapt to
another culture?
15. How is the beginning of your topic an example of a cultural hearth?
16. What location did your topic spread to?
17. How was the diffusion of your topic possible?
18. How does the early version of your topic differ from the version present today in another location?
19. How did distance decay and time-space compression effect the cultural diffusion of your topic?
20. Draw and complete a model for the cultural hearth and cultural diffusion using your topic. The illustration
must be neat and explained in detail.
Your opinion:
21. Using your topic and state whether you think cultural diffusion is a process that helps or harm society?
You must use evidence to support your answer and explain your stance in detail.
The following rubric will be used to evaluate your work on this case study: IB Critical Thinking Rubric
Grade Descriptor-The Student:
0
does not reach a standard described by any of the descriptors below.
1-2
makes a limited attempt to analyse concepts, events, issues, models or arguments
describes some sources in terms of origin and purpose and recognizes some values and limitations
identifies different perspectives
makes connections between information in a limited attempt to make arguments.
completes a detailed analysis of concepts, events, issues, models or arguments
effectively analyses and evaluates a range of sources in terms of origin and purpose, recognizing
3-4
5-6
7-8
values and limitations
thoroughly interprets a range of different perspectives and their implications
synthesizes information to make valid, well-supported arguments.
completes a satisfactory analysis of concepts, events, issues, models or arguments
satisfactorily analyses and/or evaluates a range of sources in terms of origin and purpose, recognizing
values and limitations
interprets different perspectives and their implications
synthesizes information to make valid arguments.
completes a detailed analysis of concepts, events, issues, models or arguments
effectively analyses and evaluates a range of sources in terms of origin and purpose, recognizing
values and limitations
thoroughly interprets a range of different perspectives and their implications synthesizes information
to make valid, well-supported arguments.