Contemporary societies, population and cultures around the...

w w w . o u p . e s

Introduction

Western society is still one of the great civilizations of our planet and its culture, show business and lifestyle in general, exert great influence over other societies. This civilization is also changing very fast and has evolved towards diversity and pluralism with the arrival of migrations from every corner of the world. Cultural contributions coming from different cultures have also led to new social conflicts. In recent years, technological changes such as the widespread influence of social networks have changed habits and behaviour, especially among young people.

Objectives

• Geographical location of Western culture and its expansion. • Analyse the characteristics of contemporary Western society. • Create awareness of the main changes and conflicts experienced in contemporary Western society. • Extract information from images and contemporary art. • Write conclusions regarding change and conflict in contemporary Western society.

Competences

• Ability to extract information and conclusions from images and works of art. • Ability to write brief texts as from diverse sources.

Linguistic competences • Express situations that happen in the present. Use present simple and present continuous. • Make brief descriptions and use connectors.

1

GOING BILINGUAL!SOCIAL SCIENCES, GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY

ESO

ESO 2

Cod

: 978

8467

3804

91

Contemporary societies, population and cultures around the worldWestern societies: changes, diversity and conflicts

w w w . o u p . e s

2


ESO

ESO 2

Assessment criteria

Activity development

Materials: • Ballpoint pens • Sheets of paper

Timing and implementation in the classroom: One session of 40–50 minutes in the classroom: • Introducing the topic and activities: 5 minutes • Activity 1: 15–20 minutes • Activity 2: 10–15 minutes • Extension activity: 5–10 minutes

Introducing the topic and the activities (5 minutes) Throughout history, western society has been the most influential in the world. Nowadays, it is characterised not only by christianity, democracy and an open market, but also by the globalisation of languages such as English, Spanish and French. Western society originated from Europe, but has since spread to America, Australia and some areas of Africa. In the past, western culture was introduced into other continents as a result of colonialism and war. In the 20th and 21st centuries, however, this culture has become global thanks to cinema, music, fashion, etc.

The following activities will help you understand the main changes facing western societies and the conflicts that these societies experience.

Before going any further in this topic, remind yourself of some basic concepts:

D20–40%

C40–60%

B60–80%

A80–100%

Content-related activities

Does not engage in activities or does only some.

Engages in activities, but makes some mistakes.

Engages in activities mostly without mistakes.

Engages in all activities making few or no mistakes.

Applyingcontents

Does not answer questions, does not make descriptions.

Answers questions, makes brief descriptions with mistakes.

Answers questions, makes descriptions.

Answers all the questions, makes in-depth descriptions without mistakes.

Use of language

Merely underlines and copies.

Understands instructions and underlines the right options.

Understands instructions, uses contrast and future expressions.

Understands instructions, uses contrast and future expressions correctly and with precision.

Accuracy and following instructions

Very untidy and hard to understand.

Untidy, but can be understood. Follows instructions.

Follows instructions but makes mistakes.

Very clear, follows instructions perfectly.

w w w . o u p . e s

Useful links • For more in-depth information on characteristics of Western society: http://www.westerncultureglobal.org/what-is-western-culture.html

• Classic reference for students on globalization and its problems: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/globalisation/

• An interesting article about changes in labour in the 21st century. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/technology-impacting-changes-21st-century- workplace-3357.html

Answer key

Activity 1: Western societies at the beginning of the 21st century. (15–20 minutes)

A. Western societies map

B. Questions 1. Which characteristics of western societies do they show? Why? Multiculturalism, pluralism or diversity. There are people and buildings from other cultures and societies. 2. Why do you think immigrants come to western countries? They usually come to the west looking for jobs and a better life. 3. Do you think that Spain has a similar society? Explain your answer briefly. It is quite similar now. Immigrants have arrived in recent years.

3Oxford University Press is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites.

Globalization: the process of international integration in economics, culture and other aspects, through the new technologies of transportation and communications.


ESO

ESO 2

Society: a community or group of people who share a geographical location, language, traditions or cultural heritage, and who have a stable relationship.

EUROPE AMERICA OTHER CONTINENTS

United KingdomSpainFrance

GermanyItaly

Norway…

United States of AmericaCanada

AustraliaNew Zealand

…

w w w . o u p . e s

C. What are the main differences? What types of jobs are developing now in western countries? Workers are comfortable in the Google offices, and they seem to be quite happy there. Having one fixed place of work is not important.During the time of the Industrial Revolution, workers suffered terrible conditions and places of work were fixed.

D. Questions 1. Which types of jobs are indicated by the pictures? Why? Office workers, construction workers or engineers, army officers. 2. According to the pictures, are there any differences between men and women at work in western societies? Do you feel that the pictures give an accurate view of women in the workplace? Why (not)? According to the pictures there is no difference. However, perhaps this is not an accurate picture of women in the world of work.

Activity 2: Changes and conflicts

Writing descriptions

Picture A Crowds of young people demonstrating in a large square: an image of the ‘indignados’ demonstration in Madrid.

Picture B Policemen battling against a violent demonstration in Britain: an image from the London riots in 2011.

Picture CPolicemen in a camp, surrounded by a group of poor children: an image from a gypsy camp in Spain.

Extension activity: Social media and young people in western societies: research (5–10 minutes)Students’ own answers: they should refer to Facebook, Twitter, Tuenti or YouTube.

4


ESO

ESO 2

Worksheet

© Oxford University PressPhotocopiable

Western societies at the beginning of the 21st century (15–20 minutes)Western societies are very complex nowadays. Indeed, they have spread all around the world and, although they share some common characteristics, they have developed in different ways. Despite this, they have the following elements in common:

• a European historical origin, by colonization or conquest • speaking a European language, such as English, Spanish, French or Portuguese • most people belonging to a Christian Church, be it Catholic or Protestant • a developed economy, usually post-industrial, and a free market • good transport and communication networks • a democratic political system • deeply immersed in the information society (internet, etc.) • gender equality between men and women • plurality and diversity of relationships and of ethnic origin • multiculturalism and immigration from other cultures and societies • changes in the role of generations and ages and importance of youth culture • an increasingly ageing population • an urban society and culture.

ESO 2

1

Contemporary societies, population and cultures around the world Western societies: changes, diversity and conflicts

GOING BILINGUAL!social sciences, geography and history

ESO

Worksheet


Activity 1:A. Look at the following map. Using an atlas or your geography book, make a list of the countries that the creator of this map includes in western civilization. Fill in the table below the map.

ESO 2

2

EUROPE AMERICA OTHER CONTINENTS


ESO

Oxford University Press is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites.

Huntington’s map of major civilizations.http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2f/Clash_of_Civilizations_map.png/800px-

Clash_of_Civilizations_map.png

Worksheet


B. Have a look at these pictures and answer the questions below them.

1. Which characteristics of western societies do they show? Why? ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... 2. Why do you think immigrants come to western countries? ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... 3. Do you think that Spain has a similar society? Explain your answer briefly. ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ...........................................................................................................

C. Look at these images of the offices of Google. They depict the new ethos of working hours and conditions as commonly found in communication businesses. Then look at the picture from a factory during the time of the Industrial Revolution. What are the main differences? What types of jobs are developing now in western countries?

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

ESO 2

3

A Canadian celebration Chinatown, Liverpool


ESO

http://nationalpostnews.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/multiculturalism.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7333/8730169291_efdd021af1.jpg

Worksheet


D. Have a look at the pictures below. They show the new role of women in the world of work in western societies. Answer the questions that follow.

ESO 2

3

A Canadian celebration


ESO

http://globolstaff.com/images/google.jpg

http://webs.bcp.org/sites/vcleary/ModernWorldHistoryTextbook/IndustrialRevolution/Images/sweeper-and-doffer.jpg

http://www.roxannejoffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/women-entrepreneurs-jpg1.jpeg

http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2007/06/02/va1237249925546/Jessica-Prince-5509541.jpg

http://www.acclaimimages.com/_gallery/_free_images/0420-1007-0415-4812_women_working_on_computers_m.jpg

Worksheet


1. Which types of jobs are showed by the pictures? ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... 2. According to the pictures, are there any differences between men and women at work in western societies? Do you feel that the pictures give an accurate view of women in the workplace? Why (not)? ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ...........................................................................................................

ESO 2

4


ESO

Worksheet


ESO 2

5

Activity 2: Changes and conflicts. (10–15 minutes)

Writing descriptionsWestern societies have changed rapidly in recent years and have endured conflicts caused by their complexity and diversity. The following pictures are examples of these social conflicts occurring in different countries, such as the integration of gypsies in some European countries, the ‘indignados’ movement in Spain or the London riots (2011).

Write a description of each picture and state which change or conflict is shown in each picture.


ESO

http://blogs.21rs.es/lamet/files/2011/06/15m-manos1.jpg

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02314/London-riots_2314012b.jpg

http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/1935332/0/gitanos/este-europa/expulsados-desalojados/

A B

C

Worksheet


In order to write your descriptions, consider the following:

• Howmanypeoplearethereinthepicture? • Canyoudescribewhethertheyarechildren,adultsorelderlypeople? • Canyouobserveanyviolentsituations? • Wherearethey?Whichbuildingscanyousee? • Accordingtowhatyoucanseeinthepictures,whatdoyouthinkisgoingon? • Whichchangeorconflictdoeseachpictureshow?

ESO 2

6

Picture A................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................

Picture B................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................

Picture C................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................


ESO

Worksheet


ESO 2

7

Extension activity: Social media and young people in western societies: research (5–10 minutes)

One of the most influential changes in western society has been the massive use of social media such as Facebook or Twitter. Look at the image below. What does it show?

Ask five other students in your class about social media. Which social media do they use most often? Why? Note down their answers in the table below.

Social media map

Social media It is good because …


ESO

http://jasonpollock.tv/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/SocialMediaMap.jpg

Contemporary societies, population and cultures around the...

Documents

Transcript of Contemporary societies, population and cultures around the...