Mastering the TEKS for the World Geography EOC

Unit 4: Change

Cultural Diffusion and Convergence

TEKS Covered in this section
History 1 The student understands how geography and processes of spatial exchange influenced past events and helped shape the present.
History 1(B) Trace spatial diffusion of phenomena such as the Columbian Exchange or the diffusion of American popular culture and describe the effects on regions of contact.

Geography 7 (D) Examine benefits and challenges of globalization, includingpandemics. Culture 18 The student understands the ways in which cultures change and maintain continuity.
Culture 18 (A) Analyze cultural changes in specific regions caused bydiffusion. Culture 18 (D) Evaluate the spread of cultural traits to find examples of cultural convergence and divergence such as the spread of democratic ideas, U.S.-based fast-food franchises, the English language, technology, or global sports.

Cultural Diffusion and Convergence

Diffusion refers to how something diffuses or spreads Geographers look at this phenomena as it refers to the spread of
Products (Silk Road, Columbian Exchange) Technologies (Personal Computers) Ideas (The Reformation, Democracy) Culture (American Fast-Food) Pandemics (Avian Flu)

Cultural Diffusion and Convergence

Cultural Divergence Exposure to new ideas as a result of cultural diffusion cause people to move away from their core values, this is Cultural Divergence The arrival of Muslims in Northern India has divided the area into Hindu and Muslim sectors.

Cultural Diffusion and Convergence

Cultural Convergence and Globalization

Cultural diffusion can also lead to Cultural Convergence, in which different cultures become similar or even come together. Globalization is the creation of a common global culture.

Cultural Diffusion and Convergence

Examples of Convergence Spread of Democratic Ideas (Islamic World) Spread of the English Language New Technologies Global Sports (Soccer, Basketball)

Historical Change
TEKS Covered in this Section
History 2 The student understands how people, places, and environments have changed over time and the effects of these changes.
History 2 (A) Describe the human and physical characteristics of the same regions at different periods of time to evaluate relationships between past events and current conditions. History 2 (B) Explain how changes in societies have led to diverse uses of physical features.

Culture 18 The student understands the ways in which cultures change and maintain continuity.

Culture 18 (A) Analyze cultural changes in specific regions caused by migration, war, trade, innovations, and diffusion. Culture 18 (B) Assess causes, effects, and perceptions of conflicts between groups of people, including modern genocide and terrorism. Culture 18 (C) Identify examples of cultures that maintain traditional ways

Technology 19 The student understands the impact of technology and human modifications on the physical environment.
Technology 19 (A) Evaluate the significance of major technological innovations in the areas of transportation and energy that have been used to modify the physical environment. Technology 19 (B) Analyze ways technological innovations have allowed humans to adapt to places, such as air conditioning and desalinization. Technology 19 (C) Examine the environmental, economic, and social impacts of advances in technology on agriculture and natural resources. Technology 20 (A) Describe the impact of new informational technologies such as the Internet, Global Positioning System (GPS), and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Technology 20 (B) Examine the economic, environmental, and social effects of technology such as medical advancements or changing trade patterns on societies at different levels of development.

Technology 20 The student understands how current technology affects human interactions.

Historical Change
Changes in Human Geography Human Geography changes more quickly than Physical Geography A cultural region or political region can expand, contract, or even disappear over time Modern examples would be Sudan and South Sudan, a new country created in the last year.

Historical Change
The Roots of Change Migration- The movement of people from one place to another Cultural Diffusion is often a major cause of change
contact with Europeans changed the Native American Indian cultures

Trade- is an exchange of goods and services

Columbian Exchange

Historical Change
The Roots of Change Conflict
Civil Wars and Genocide
Holocaust Rwandan Genocide

International Conflicts
Spanish-American War World War I World War II

Historical Change
Technological Innovations Technological innovation often leads to important cultural change Ability to produce iron tools to navigation equipment have directly influenced change

Historical Change
Technological Innovations
Desalinization- takes salt out of saltwater by heating and cooling. Makes survival in dry area such as the Middle East easier Air Conditioning- allowed people to move to regions with much harsher climates Graphic Information Systems (GIS)- Computers that capture, store, and analyze information located on a map Global Positioning Systems (GPS)- Allows users to locate their exact position on Earth using satellites