Grade 9 Social Studies
 “Many societies, particularly indigenous peoples, view
culture as their richest heritage, without which they
have no roots, history or soul. Its value is other than
monetary. To commodify it is to destroy it.”
- Maude Barlow, “The Global Monoculture,”Earth Island Journal. Autumn 2001
 “In an era of global capitalism, cultural distinctiveness
can become more important, not less important.
Because it’s sort of what people have left.”
-Theda Skocpo
 Whatever community we belong to, it is full of
diversity – differences in gender, age, culture, ethnicity,
abilities, religion, languages and attitudes. From birth,
our family and community envelop us in language,
understandings, values and beliefs so that we will
think and behave in acceptable ways. As we grow up
and interact with our community, we become
members of different groups and expand our
understandings, values and behaviours.
-Austalia Global Education
 Globalisation, social media, migration and
urbanisation are all leading to increased connections
between people of diverse cultural identities, and
intercultural understandings are becoming more
important for respectful interactions.
-Australia Global Education
 Engaging with people of varied backgrounds expands
our world view, develops greater understanding of our
own identity and helps us to appreciate alternative
points of view, but it can also be challenging. If we
focus on the differences between people, separating
groups into 'them' and 'us', there is potential for
conflict and for people to be discriminated against and
treated unjustly.
-Australia Global Education
 What is the
impact of
globalization on
your culture?
 Anticipation Guide
 Video
 A. Pay the person who
takes your order before
the meal comes.
 B. Pay the person who
brings your food after
your meal. Wait for them
to bring change.
 C. Get up from the table
and pay someone near
the door before you
leave.
 A. Pay the person at the
bar who takes your order
before your food comes.
 B. Pay the person who
brings your food after
your meal. Wait for them
to bring change.
 C. Get up form the table
and pay someone near
the door before you
leave.
 A. Get in line and pay the
cashier when it is your
turn.
 B. Push in front of
everyone and pay the
cashier.
 C. Wait until the
salesperson comes over
to you and pay him/her.
 A. Jazz music
 B. Christmas music
 C. Chants
 Why is one symbol or action acceptable in one place
and not in another?
 How do we know what is right?
 Is there a right and a wrong?
 It is a violation of accepted social rules (for example,
standard customs or etiquette rules). Faux pas vary
widely from culture to culture, and what is considered
good manners in one culture can be considered a faux
pas in another. The term comes originally from French,
and literally means "false step".
 *One should attempt to suppress yawning in polite company,
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concealing the mouth with the hand, to avoid appearing bored.
*Blowing one's nose should be done into a tissue or
handkerchief, and never while eating. It is preferable to do so,
along with habits which should not be done around others, such
as nose and ear picking, by excusing oneself and doing so in
private.
*It is impolite to burp, cough, or sneeze without covering one's
mouth with and handkerchief in front of others.
*Chewing with one's mouth open, slurping or making excessive
noise while eating are all considered impolite.
*Shaking hands while wearing gloves is widely considered
impolite. This does not apply to gloves for women designed to be
worn indoors.
 *Talking or asking about one's personal wealth,
possessions or success in business is widely viewed as
vulgar. People will rarely say how much money they
make or have in the bank nor will they request such
information from someone else.
 It is impolite to ask colleagues about their salary and in
some places of work it is forbidden. Even in other
places, for example where government employees'
salary are publicly known, it is still considered
extremely rude to ask individuals about how much
they earn

 Bangladesh
 Women do not shake hands but instead greet others
with a polite nod.
 The "thumbs up" gesture is considered obscene.
 When crossing legs, feet or shoes should not be
pointed towards anyone. The soles of shoes, sandals or
feet are considered unclean.
 When receiving anything the right hand is always
used.
 Japan
 It is very bad manners to be late in Japan. If you have an
appointment then aim to be early because you can almost
guarantee that the Japanese person you are meeting will be early.
 It is rude to not send a postcard for Japanese New Year to
someone who sent you one. Sending such a postcard to someone
who suffered a death in the family during the past year is a faux
pas.
 Tipping is considered rude and is rarely done in Japan except in
certain cases, such as tipping your surgeon for an operation,
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Thailand
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Touching someone (even a child) with the foot is a taboo as Thai Buddhism considers
this an impure region of the body.
Pointing with the foot or showing the soles of the feet is strongly discouraged. It is
especially important to not to sit with the soles of one’s feet at images of the Buddha.
 Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body, literally and figuratively. Touching
someone’s head, even accidentally, requires an immediate apology.
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Currency, postage stamps, magazines covers and any other items with the king’s image
are never tossed to the ground or treated harshly. Even licking the back of a postage
stamp is considered disrespectful. Most especially, these items are never trod upon as it is
a sign of utmost disrespect to place one’s foot above the head of the king.

Kissing in the streets and any public display of affection are considered rude.
 Argentina
 Apart from going to church, Sunday is commonly the
day Argentines gather in family for lunch or dinner.
 Table manners are Continental - hold the fork in the
left hand and the knife in the right while eating.
 Do not begin eating until the hostess invites you to do
so.
 Wait for a toast to be made before taking the first sip
of your drink.
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Colombia
Gifts are never opened in public unless the giver insists.
Group waves are extremely unacceptable.
After finishing dinner, expect to stay for a few hours. Leaving right away
might be perceived as that you were there only for a free meal.
Avoid discussing the drug trade. This is a delicate subject in Colombia.
The elderly are given high respect; men are often referred to as Don and
women as Doña, followed by their first names.
Colombians that do not know each other typically begin every issue
with small talk, no matter how trivial. "Getting to the point"
immediately might be seen as impatient and impolite.
It is considered improper and slightly immature for adult men to wear
shorts (except in recreational areas, such as parks, the beach, or pools).
It is not usually acceptable to drop by someone's house without calling.
 How we know what is right or wrong is determined by
our culture.
What is culture?
1.Write a definition for culture in your scribbler.
2.Share with a group.
3.Make up an official definition together on an anchor
chart.
4.Post on the wall at the back of the room.
5.How are these definitions the same? Different?
 1. Read each definition and decide which ones you
agree with. Why do you agree with them?
 Join a group and share your thoughts.
 What is intercultural dialogue?
 Is intercultural dialogue valuable?
 Why does Kofi Annan think that intercultural dialogue
is important?
 In pairs, cut out statement cards.
 Arrange the cards into 3 piles
-agree
-disagree
-unsure
Glue to your sheet under correct category.
Justify your choices.
 What is a trend?
 What trends influence globalization??
 How do the trends influence globalization?
 What trends in the future might influence
globalization?
 Culture is an integrated system of learned
behavior patterns that are characteristic of
the total way of life of a given society.
 It includes everything that a group of people
thinks, says, does and makes- it’s customs,
language, material artifacts and shared
systems of attitudes and feelings.
 Culture is learned and transmitted.
 What have you learned about culture, cultural
diffusion and trends influencing the globalization of
culture?
 “David Letterman’s Top 10 List”
 Re-write a definition for culture that has meaning to
you.
10. My grandmother died. (again)
9. The electricity went out at our house
last night.
8. I got called into work last night.
7. I wrote down the wrong due date.
6. My dog urinated on/ate/shredded it.
5. We had to rush ____ to the hospital.
4. I left my backpack in my friend’s car.
3. “What homework?”
2. My printer ran out of ink.
1. My computer crashed.
 Inquiry Question: Does globalization influence our
culture?
 Physical Environment-
How do people interact with their physical
environment?
 Our History
What are the origins of our culture and how have events
brought changes over time?
 Political Life
How do people organize themselves so we can live
together in peace and security?
 Economic Life
How do people make a living? How do occupations
influence their lifestyle?
 Social Life
How do individuals and groups interact?
(religions, traditions, values, ways of life,
communication and language)
 Globalization
How are cultures affected by other cultures around the
world?
Eye colour
Eating with chopsticks
Playing Christmas carols on the radio
Long fingers
Fingernail polish
School rules
Blue eyes
Being a talented musician
Height
The clothes you wear
What you do in your spare time
 Brainstorm how this influences our culture.
 Things to think about :
Environment, sea, climate, seasons, geography, natural
resources
 The culture of a group develops as people try to find
ways to meet their needs. Sometimes they have to
adjust their culture to supply their needs.
 Culture can change over time.
 Read text p. 70. What needs are the people meeting?
 How do their needs change over time?
 Pick 4 areas of culture where there has been change
over time. Divide your paper into 4 sections. Represent
1 in each block. Make sure to explain what the aspect
of culture was like in the past and how it changed.
What is it like today?
 How do we organize ourselves?
 How does this show our culture and influence our
culture?
 How do occupations and trade influence your culture?
 Non-material culture vs material culture
Material Culture- Physical items produced and used by
the society to which you belong.
Non-material culture- elements of culture that are not
physical ex- language, ideas, stories, myths, religious
beliefs, values
 Word Wall- cultural diffusion
 Discuss Canadian mosaic.
 “Lizzie’s Morning”- video
 Write down 5 ways our culture is diffused with other
cultures.?
 Language is an example of cultural diffusion.
“Language opens the door to a culture?”
How does language show cultural diffusion? Quick Groups
Etymological Activity
“The rate of cultural diffusion is
steadily increasing.”
What are some other examples of cultural
diffusion?
 Values are something we believe and form the
foundation for who you are.
 They are the ideas, beliefs, and ways of behaving that
are valuable and important to your culture.
 Example- In our culture we believe in hard work- How
d0 we know this? The way our work day is set up and
the amount of time expected to put into your job.
 Example- In our culture we believe that men and
women are equal. This is not the case in all cultures.
Evidence is the Canadian Charter of Rights and
Freedoms
What do you value?
 How would you describe our culture to someone who
is not of our culture?
Cultural Norms and Diffusion Assignment
 Cultural diversity (WW)
 Examine George P. Murdock’s list of characteristics
found in every culture all around the world.
 Which 5 of these characteristics are most important to
you?
 Why do you think these characteristics are common
across cultures?
 Why is cultural diversity a positive thing?
-What is interesting about the images?
-Is there a right answer to which is which?
-Why do different cultures see things in different ways?
 Activity
- Pick 3 statements.
- What does each one mean to you?
 Speech Bubble:
-Complete Task A with a partner
- Complete Task B
 Class Discussion- Which world would you prefer and
why?
 Would you prefer either of these worlds to the real
world? Why?
 Imagine that you are moving to another country for a
year. List 5 things about your culture that you want to
keep the same when you move to that country. List 5
things about your culture that you wouldn’t mind
changing when you move to that country.
 Traditional Culture (WW)- made up of practices
established over many generations. It is based on
traditions.
 Popular Culture (WW)-is widespread and can be
shared by many groups in society
*Music, tv, fast food, etc)
 Westernized Culture (WW)- how our traditions and
popular culture has been integrated into cultures
around the world.
 Popular Culture- A more widespread kind of culture.
It is shared by many groups in society or around the
world. It is becoming more global all the time.
 What are some examples?
 What role does technology have in the spread of
popular culture?
 Has popular culture changed over time?
 How does popular culture affect traditional culture?
 Visit National Geographic People and Culture photo
gallery.
 Fill in chart below with examples of each as you look at
the pictures:
Traditional Culture
Westernized Culture
 Example- “Life and Debt in Jamaica”
 Or watch the trailer
 Take notes on ways globalization has impacted the
culture of Jamaica.
 Evaluation Persuasive Essay- Watch 2 Canadian
programs on tv, focusing on how that program
transmits culture and the globalization of culture.
 The following slide as are ones that I have used before
with the old culture unit. I just wanted to keep them
here in case I needed them some day.
 Stereotype- A cultural misunderstanding where we
believe something to be true about an entire group
when it is not.
 Stereotype Activity- A demonstration
 Can you think of stereotypes we have about different
cultures?
 What are some stereotypes of Canadians?
 What are some stereotypes about Atlantic Canadians?
 What 5 words would you use to describe your culture
to someone who has never been here before?
 Video Analysis
 Karin, Noor, Fatema
 Misunderstandings 1
 Misunderstandings 2
Writing Reflection- Look at the ideas that the young
people had. Choose 3 ideas that you agree with.
Explain why you chose each one.
 Why do we work? Is it part of our culture?
 Profile- PEI Lebanese Community- What does this profile
tell you about the culture of PEI at that time?
 How would you react to leaving a warm, Mediterranean
village for Atlantic Canada? What would you try to find out
about your new home? What questions would you ask?
 How have times changed in PEI? How has that changed out
culture?
 Think of an occupation which may interest you in the
future. How will this occupation influence your culture
and lifestyle? Create a concept map.
-Think about home life, social/community life,
transportation, entertainment/leisure, schooling,
child care services, health care, other ideas.
 Review 21st century skills.
 Introduce project