Topics

I. Cultural diffusion: the process

1. Description of cultural traits in terms of language, customs, beliefs, dress, images, music, food and technology
2. Diffusion of cultural traits resulting from the international movement of workers, tourists and commodities

II. Consumerism and culture

1. Role of TNCs and the media in spreading consumer culture
2. Case-study of two different branded commodities and examination of the spatial and temporal pattern of adoption on a global scale

III. Sociocultural integration

1. Role of diasporas in preserving culture in one country and the adoption of minority traits by host societies
2. Impact of cultural diffusion on one indigenous and remote society through the influence of international interactions
3. Ways in which international interactions may result in the homogenization and dilution of culture. Define and exemplify the concept of cultural imperialism

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Resources

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Definitions

Diaspora
Scattering of people living in minority far from their ancestral homeland while keeping strong cultural particularities (e.g. Jewish, Armenian, Chinese, Greek diasporas, etc)
Culture
Set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices (including, often, language and/or religion) that characterizes an institution, organization or group

Case-studies below are excerpts from Paul Guinness, Global Interactions, Cambridge University Press, 2011