Definitions
Culture
Students should discuss the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group
How does Huntington define "civilization?"
The highest and broadest level of cultural identity grouping
Discuss some of the observable impacts of globalization
Possible answers: migration rates, trade agreements, social media connections, human rights amendments in state constitutions, spread of culture etc.
Name 3 NGOs
Answers may vary. Examples: Amnesty International, Oxfam, Save the Children, etc.
What are some aspects of "American culture?"
Answers may vary (ex. Fast food, individualism, freedom, democracy, English language, body language)
Globalization
Students should emphasize the process of interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments worldwide
What is Huntington's main thesis regarding global conflict?
Global conflict will be clashes between civilizations over cultural differences
What does it mean that the world is becoming a "smaller" or "single place?"
Answers may vary - students should discuss increased interconnectedness among people/institutions/states
What are some harmful impacts of NGOs?
Answers may vary. Example: harming local trade/business through over-supplying of goods/services.
What are some aspects of "global culture?"
Answers may vary. (ex. food, music, dance, celebrities, television, film, religion)
Civil Society
A wide array of organizations: community groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), labor unions, indigenous groups, charitable organizations, faith-based organizations, professional associations, and foundations.
What are some critiques of Huntington's work by Edward Said's "Clash of Ignorance?"
In "The Clash of Ignorance," Edward Said pushes back on Huntington's claims and argues that civilizations organized along lines of culture are more broad and diverse - they cannot be unified around a single cultural ideology or religion
Name an example of a thing that "flows" globally?
Answers may vary and may include: people, commodities, trade goods, ideas, language, trends, etc.
What are some positive benefits of NGOs?
Answers may vary. Example: providing support/services (healthcare, education, etc.) in times of conflict/crisis and/or when government intervention and resources are limited.
What is meant by the term "cultural appropriation?" Provide an example.
Cultural appropriation is the inappropriate or unacknowledged adoption of an element or elements of one culture or identity by members of another culture or identity. Examples may vary.
NGOs (or CSOs)
Nongovernmental Organizations (or Civil Service Organizations): Any non-profit, voluntary citizens’ group which is organized on a local, national or international level
What are some critiques of Huntington's theory?
Ignores differences within cultures; attributes political and economic conflict to cultural differences; Imperialistic ideology
Name a supranational organization
Examples: The United Nations, the Europe Union, the International Court of Justice, etc.
What are some organizational/governmental policies that may reduce harm (intended or unintended) caused by NGOs?
Answers may vary. Example: Collaboration/partnership with community-members.
How are arguments against globalization - from the Right and the Left - similar?
Right - concerns about washing away traditional values; fear of change/"progress"
Left - concerns about washing away local culture (ex. indigenous); fear of a homogenous world (lacks diversity)
World Society Theory
Attributes global change to "emerging global institutions, international organizations, and an increasingly common world culture"(Schofer et al. 1)
Why are we studying Huntington if many scholars disagree with his theory?
Do you think globalization processes are a continuation of previous developments in world history OR are they a significant break from the past and thought of as bringing in a new historical period?
Answers may vary- no right/wrong answer as long as students support their argument with evidence.
Poverty, Inc quote: "The government has been held hostage by the international aid community, who are not particularly interested in seeing growth in local business." Explain what is meant by this quote.
Students could discuss imperialism/colonialism, capitalist exploitation, harms of NGOs etc.
Overall, are people better or worse off as a result of globalization?
Answers may vary- no right/wrong answer as long as students support their argument with evidence.