Download Unit Intro Handout `13 (SHORTER)

WORLD CULTURES
Unit 4 - The Changing Face of South & East Asia
In this unit we will be studying a continent with a complex cultural history that is entering in to
an exciting, fast paced, changing world. Asia is home to all 6 major religions of the world: Buddhism,
Hinduism, Islam, Taoism, Judaism, and Christianity. However, many Asian nations are industrializing
at an alarming rate and are facing many challenges as a result: how do Asian cultures balance tradition
with tremendous modernization?
Unit Learning Objectives –
1. Describe ways that geography has affected culture in different regions of Asia, including
significant geographical landmarks from your maps, and their locations on your map.
2. Analyze the causes, and positive/negative effects of the growth of mega-cities in Asia, including
how to deal with the problems caused by massive population growth and rapid urbanization.
3. Compare and contrast the standard of living in South/East Asia to other areas we’ve examined
including why & how the standard has been changing in recent years.
4. Identify the major philosophical points and geographical concentrations, and be able to compare/contrast
the 3 major “Eastern” religions; Hinduism, Taoism, and Buddhism.
5. Describe examples of different ways that Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism affect the other 6
elements of culture.
6. Analyze, give examples of and explain art, customs and traditions (food, music, clothing, etc.)
you learned about from your classmates Cultural presentations.
Key terms:
Mega-city
Megacity themes:
 Public Transportation
 Waste management
 Water resources
 Fuel resources:
o Nuclear Power
o Solar Power
o Natural Gas
o Geothermal Power
o Ethanol
o Wind Power
o Hydroelectricity
MEGACITY (MODERN)
CONCEPTS
Air/Water/Soil Pollution
Over-population
One-child policy
Urbanization
Materialism vs. Spiritualism
Sweatshops
Conflict in Kashmir
Conflict in Tibet
Dalai Lama
RELIGION/TRADITIONAL
CONCEPTS
Monotheism
Polytheism
Siddhartha/Buddha
Nirvana
8 fold path
Maksha/Moshka
Caste System
Re-incarnation
Brahma/Vishnu/Shiva
Karma
Dharma
Yin/Yang
Chi (Qi)
Thich Nat Hanh
Monday 12/2 – Intro unit, slideshow, Culture
presentations 
HW = Map
Tuesday 12/3 – Mid East Test Q & A, Culture
Presentations 
HW = Study for Test
BLOCK DAY – Mid. East/N. Africa Test
HW = Hinduism, Buddhism research handout
Friday 12/6– Discuss India HW, tradition vs.
modernization in India & population (megacities)
HW = News Article group Jigsaw; India
Monday 12/9 –PPT: Buddhism, Megacity Activity
HW =News Article group jigsaw; China
Tuesday 12/10 – PPT Taoism, cont. Megacities
HW = Mega-cities Activity
BLOCK DAY– Watch/discus China Blue
HW = Mega-cities Activity
Friday 12/13 – China vs. Tibet; Dalai Lama
Weekend HW = None
Monday 12/16 – Mega-cities resources problem
solving discussion
HW =Study for Final
L.O. #1 P.C.S.’s – Identify and explain in detail the major philosophical points of each of the worlds’
major religions.
1) Locate age & content appropriate library sources focusing on religious philosophy.
2) Search the internet effectively for appropriate sources of religious philosophy.
3)
L.O. #2 P.C.S.’s – Identify and give specific examples of ways that geography effects religion.
L.O. #3 P.C.S.’s – Identify and give specific examples of ways that specific religions we study affect
other elements of culture.
L.O. #4 P.C.S.’s – Compare & contrast the effects of one religion vs. others on people’s lives.
L.O. #5 P.C.S.’s – Identify specific problems that exist throughout the world as a result of religious
conflict. Explain their causes and effects on people’s lives.
L.O. #6 P.C.S.’s – Use maps to identify and demonstrate different ideas about religions in countries
around the world, such as sources of conflict, population patterns, and changes in religious
demographics over time.
L.O. #7 P.C.S.’s - Identify countries and regions of the world in which each major religion represents
the majority of that population.