Geog 1410 6.0 FW 2007-8
Workshop 6: Culture and Globalization
You have probably heard people talk about globalization. It is a word in
constant use in the media and in the university. We have used it in this
geography course, and now we need to talk about how it relates to
cultural geography.
The purpose of this workshop is to participate in a class discussion on
the cultural geography of globalization. Afterwards your TA will assign
an essay title for you to write up as the assignment. Our usual
expectations will apply as to length and due date.
The textbook provides considerable discussion material which you
might find useful to read. See Chapters 5 and 6 and elsewhere.
Does Globalization mean that American culture takes over the world?
Your TA will ask you to look at some of the photos in the textbook, and consider their meaning. Your workshop
group will discuss one or more of the following areas:
Globalization and Cultural Convergence: are the different parts of the world gradually becoming culturally
similar and what does globalization have to do with it? Check out recent photos of Bangkok or Beijing: they
increasingly resemble North America. Col. Sanders, Mickey Mouse and Coca Cola can all be seen in Moscow’s
GUM department store. Villagers in St Lucia wear Batman T-shirts and smoke Marlboros. Accountants in Bombay
and Toronto have a common attitude towards business. Teenagers in Poland listen to Limp Biskit, while Rap and
the cult of Elvis have taken root in Japan.
Globalization, Diversity and Difference: what effects is globalization having on cultural diversity and social
difference? How does globalization impact on such things as race, nation, gender, class etc? There is evidence that
income gaps are widening, producing social difference even as global culture “converges”.
Culture, Power and Globalization: Some forms of culture may be associated with powerful influences in the
global economy. North-American fast food eating habits, for example, are being globalized, along with Mickey
Mouse, Benetton and Absolut vodka. What about culture that is not backed by economic power? Culture is a tool of
resistance for the powerless, and many people who are resisting globalization are inventing new cultural forms or
breathing new life into older cultural traditions.
KFC in Montreal
Coke in Saudi Arabia
Some comments in protest
Counterculure in England