In this lesson, we will look at the ways in which contemporary globalization creates a world that is highly integrated. Places and regions have become increasingly interdependent, linked through complex and rapidly changing commodity chains that are orchestrated by transnational corporations. The emergence of globalization – with its transnational architectural styles, dress codes, retail chains, popular culture, and ubiquitous immigrants, business visitors, and tourists—seems as if it might inevitably impose a sense of placelessness and dislocation, a loss of territorial identity, and an erosion of the distinctive sense of place associated with certain localities. Yet, the common experiences associated with globalization are still modified by local geographies.
Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
- describe the changing patterns of interdependence among different world regions;
- compare the three tiers that constitute the modern world system;
- explain how the growth and internal development of the world’s core regions could take place only with the foodstuffs, raw materials, and markets provided by the colonization of the periphery; and
- identify an example of each of the four key issues caused by globalization—environmental, health, core-periphery disparity, and security issues.
Required Readings and Assignments
Please see your Canvas course space for a complete listing of this lesson's required readings, assignments, and due dates.
Questions?
If you have any general course questions, please post them to our Course Questions Discussion located in the General Information Module in Canvas. I will check that discussion forum regularly to respond as appropriate. While you are there, feel free to post your own responses and comments if you are able to help out a classmate.