1. Unit 1 – Chapter 4 Global Challenges
Challenges to Identity.
In what ways does globalization challenge identity?
In a globalizing world, identities are shaped by many factors.
Pressures of homogenization (a trend towards uniformity as a result of globalization) and assimilation can cause society to give up their identity.
Is it natural for minorities to be absorbed into majorities?
How should we battle for our diversity?

2. Unit 1 – Chapter 4 Global Challenges
Challenges to Identity.
Homogenization and Youth Culture
Some critics to globalization say we are witnessing an increasing homogenization of culture.
The differences between values, attitudes, beliefs, are being reduced.
Instead of enjoying many cultures we are turning to a single popular monoculture.
Look at the following example:

3. Unit 1 – Chapter 4 Global Challenges
Challenges to Identity.
Homogenization and Youth Culture
An American Pop singer releases a new music video. He is wearing a new style of brand name sneakers that he is paid to wear. This is called product placement.
The music video is broadcast on MTV. In 2004, 400 million families received an MTV station in their homes. This relates to 64 countries.
Just by wearing the sneakers they have now reached a market of over 400 million families world wide – an advertisement that does not look like an advertisement.

4. Unit 1 – Chapter 4 Global Challenges
Challenges to Identity.
Migration and Assimilation
Global migration is transforming the world’s population. Millions of people are on the move.
The assimilation of ethnic or racial groups usually means that the dominant group absorbs a minority group.
The same is evident with language. Canada is bilingual but the Francophones are slowly losing their language outside of Quebec.
Is this right?
Review page 77 – Graph.

5. Unit 1 – Chapter 4 Global Challenges
Responses to Challenges to Identity.
Globalization can create challenges to identity for a number of reasons.
Economic disadvantages
Cultural disadvantages
Challenge of marginalization
If you have ever been left out of a game or social activity, then you know what it is like to be marginalized.
Marginalized peoples are ones left out of the main group, they are prevented from gaining power and influence.
The world’s Indigenous peoples have a long history of marginalization. Europe colonizing the world.

6. Unit 1 – Chapter 4 Global Challenges
Responses to Challenges to Identity.
On Australia’s Cape York Peninsula, nearly half the population is made up of Indigenous Australians.
They face many challenges, including only a life span of 50 years.
After years of damaging policies towards the Indigenous community, legislation and court decisions have restored land rights to these people.
In Cape York, they are starting to survive due to the realization of the world that they need help.
Globalization has made the world aware of their plight.

7. Unit 1 – Chapter 4 Global Challenges
Read page 84 – 85
The Lubicon Land Claims.
Create a list of the positive and negative impacts of globalization in this situation.
Record how globalization has affected the identity of the Lubicon Nation.

8. Unit 1 – Chapter 5 Global Challenges
Accommodation and Identity
One of the most important aspects of identity is expression.
You must be able to express your own identity, if not you might feel marginalized.
RCMP officers are allowed to wear traditional garb while on duty (turbans), this is called accommodation.
Secularism is a distinct and total separation between state institutions and religious institutions.
Which one is more important?
Integration is the incorporation of diverse minority groups into mainstream society.

9. Unit 1 – Chapter 5 Global Challenges
Accommodation and Integration
Local governments recognize the opportunity to help new residents integrate by accommodating their immediate needs.
Develop an action plan for each new client
Assist in settlement by dealing with immediate needs.
Providing crisis for support for difficult situations
Assessing language skills and translation help
Locating employment opportunities, training for new skills
Presenting cultural awareness workshops.

10. Unit 1 – Chapter 5 Global Challenges
Acculturation
The process of changing as a result of contact with other groups is called acculturation.
This occurs when people adapt to new culture at the speed and to the extent they wish.
This process may eventually lead to assimilation.
Susan Aglukark used acculturation to her advantage in the Voices feature on page 98.
Read page 98.
Answer question 1 and 2.

11. Unit 1 – Chapter 5 Global Challenges
Cultural Revitalization
What does it mean to revitalize your culture?
How does it happen?
We can see the process of cultural revitalization at work in Canada among the Inuit of the eastern Arctic
Early 20th century, missionaries converted many Inuit to Christianity. They banned traditional beliefs and taught English in schools.
Fifty years later, in the 1950’s, the government forced the Inuit to move to permanent settlements, gave them TV and radio.
In the 1960’s and 1970’s, companies moved onto Inuit land to mine oil and gas.

12. Unit 1 – Chapter 5 Global Challenges
Cultural Revitalization
On April 1,1999, the Inuit’s long struggle for self determination led to the creation of the new territory of Nunavut, giving them 35,000 square km of land and control of it’s natural resources.
After being exposed to all the outside influences, the Inuit decided not all of them were good for their culture.
Inuit even started teaching French and the Inuit language in schools. They combined global influences with their own distinct culture.