To help with A2 Geography Cultural Diversity research

1. Case study planner – this will help you when it comes to revision, you will be able to easily see where your work fits in<br />From the syllabusHow case study fits1Defining culture and its value. What is the nature and value of culture in terms of peoples and places?1aHuman cultures (ethnicities, beliefs, histories) and places (cultural landscapes) the origins of the word “culture”1bThere is a range of human cultures and variety of cultural landscapes linked to these which continually change and evolve1cSome cultures and landscapes are more vulnerable than others from environmental pressures1dSome cultures and landscapes are more vulnerable than others from socio-economic pressures1eSome cultures and landscapes are more vulnerable than others from political pressures1fThe cultural diversity of people and places is valued, and protected to different degrees by players. In depth study should be used to illustrate this variation2The geography of culture. How and why does culture vary spatially?2aSome countries and regions are more homogenous than others, eg Japan and Iceland in contrast with the UK; both human and physical factors help explain this2bHuman cultural diversity is usually greatest in cities and in many societies there is a clear urban/rural cultural divide.2cGovernment and other players’ attitudes towards human diversity and landscape diversity are important in preserving it or moving towards homogeneity2dOn a global scale, cultural imperialism (“McDonaldisation” and other similar processes) is an important but not complete process affecting cultural diversity and the production of landscapes3The impact of globalisation on cultural diversity. How is globalisation impacting on culture?3aViews vary greatly as to the significance of globalisation on cultural diversity3bThe role of the global media is important in conveying dominant cultural values and attitudes, and influencing cultural globalisation3cCultural globalisation often takes on local contexts thus giving rise to distinctive hybrid, globalised forms of fashion, music and film3dThere are many different opinions about the impact of globalised consumerist society on the culture of peoples and landscapes4Cultural attitudes to the environment. How do cultural values impact on our relationship with the environment?4aDifferent cultures have developed different definitions of, and attitudes to, the environment4bThese different attitudes affect the way in which the landscape is valued in terms of exploitation and protection4cAnthropocentric (people centred) cultural values are necessary to support and justify consumer cultures4dThere is conflict between environmentalism and consumer capitalism. Various cultural devices have emerged to attempt to resolve this conflict, for instance the “green” movement<br />