5. How does globalisation influence culture today?

Activity 1 - What has changed in HK?

Activity Tasks

Changes - Examine this photograph comparing Nathan Road, TST, in 1960 and in 2014. Make a list of all the differences between the two images. What has changed in 54 years?
Continuities - Examine the photograph again. Now make a list of all the things that are similar and that have stayed the same. Why have these things stayed the same?
Discuss - What are the biggest changes and continuities between the two photographs?
Quick Write - Now examine the images in this Flickr account. Write a paragraph explaining what you think have been the biggest changes in Hong Kong in the past 50 years. e.g. more foreign companies, changes in ideas, changes in technology, changes in architecture.
Share - Share your ideas with the class by reading out your finished paragraphs. What are the top three reasons for changes in Hong Kong?

Activity Tasks

Define - Watch this video about globalisation and record your own definition of the concept.
Classify - There are many causes of globalisation. As you watch this video, make notes on how economic, political, and social factors may have caused globalisation.
Discuss - Watch this video about globalisation. Using your own knowledge, can you suggest an example of economic, political and social globalisation from our lives in Hong Kong?
Quiz - How aware are you about globalisation? Do you know these global brands? Take this quiz to test your knowledge of global businesses and brands.

Activity Tasks

Reading - In groups you will each be given one of the following readings. Carefully read each article, highlighting words that are new or which you don’t understand:
1. Reading 1 - Cultural Assimilation - Whereby places adopt cultural traits of other cultures pop culture, media, food habits etc
2. Reading 2 - US Pop Culture - The growth and dominance of American culture influencing a place, increasing the range of goods and habits of people in our society
3. Reading 3 - US Economic Influence - Business products and services from other countries influences the goods and services we consume in Hong Kong today
Questions - Once you have finished reading your article, try to answer the following questions:
1. What is the key idea/s of this article?
2. In what ways do the ideas in this article link to Hong Kong?
3. How have these ideas impacted on the culture of Hong Kong?
4. Has it adapted or changed Hong Kong culture for better or worse?
Debate - Share your answers with the class by presenting verbally your findings. As a class discuss this question - “To what extent is Hong Kong culture ‘Americanised’?”

Activity Tasks

Select - Examine the political cartoons about globalisation in this folder. Each one relates to either a problem or a benefit of globalisation. Choose one cartoon that you would like to analyse in more depth.
Analyse - Using this worksheet, complete an OPCVL analysis of your source by filling in the table with as many details and observations about the source as you can.
Evaluate - Use your source analysis notes to help you answer this question, “In reference to its origin, purpose and content, what are the values and limitations of this cartoon for someone studying globalisation?”
Review - With a partner, use this Thinking Critically criteria on the second page of the worksheet to review and give feedback on their written source evaluations. Think of things they did well and things they could improve on.
Discuss - How would someone who drew this cartoon view the changes that have taken place in Hong Kong over the past 50 years?

Activity Tasks

Identify - Your final task this lesson is to investigate evidence of globalisation in your local neighbourhood or community. Start by identifying which local neighbourhood your will research and record it on this worksheet.
Research - Use MISO methods (media, interview, survey, observation) to research your local neighbourhood for any signs of globalisation and international influence. Then try to answer these research questions:
1. What evidence of globalisation can you find in your neighbourhood? - Images, photographs, maps, media, interviews, surveys, observations
2. What are these globalisation features and where can they be found?
3. How and why did these features of a globalised culture come to be in Hong Kong?
4. What sources did you use to find this information?