Carl E. James creates a dialogue with readers to probe the meaning of ethnicity, race, and culture, exploring how these concepts are understood both by individuals and in Canadian society as a whole. He explores how local, national, and international events of the past decade have brought questions about immigration, citizenship, and multiculturalism to the forefront, informing attitudes and influencing policies.

The varied perspectives, detailed analysis, and careful reflections presented in Seeing Ourselves will be invaluable to anyone seeking to understand the meaning, implications, and complexity of ethnic diversity in Canadian society.

 

Author

Carl E. James

York University

1. Introduction

• Issues and Concerns Pertaining to Race, Ethnicity, and Culture

• Seeing Ourselves

• Using a Cultural Analysis Framework

• Telling Stories

2. Conceptualizing Culture

• Conceptualizing Culture, Cultural Hegemony, and Ethno-Racial Diversity
• Cultural Diversity: Differences and Variations Among Ethno-Racial Groups
• Conclusion

3. Constructing Cultural Identity

• Race and the Social Construction of Identity

• Ethnicty as Part of Cultural Identity

• Mixed Race? Biracial? Half-Breed? Or Simply Canadian?

• Being Canadian

• Hyphenated Canadians

• Conclusion

4. Grappling with Familial & Social Influences on Identity

• Factors that Influence Human Behaviour

• Growing Up: The Role of Family and Community

• Fitting In: Coping with Difference

• Conclusion

5. Examining the Limits of Multiculturalism

• Disquiet in the Diverse Population of Europe: A Reference
• Canada's Policy of Multiculturalism: Interpretations and Practices
• Accommodating "Difference": Adjudicating What Can (and Is To ) Be Accepted
• "Are You Canadian?": Negotiating "Difference" in Multicultural Canada
• On the Future of "Official" Multiculturalism in Canada
• Conclusion

6. Assessing the Merits of Immigration

• Canadian Immigration: An Overview

• Perceptions of Immigrants and Their Impact on Society

• Resourceful Resources: Canada Needs Immigrants

• Conclusion

7. Racism, Identification, and Equity

• Mechanisms That Support Ideologies of Inequity and Social Differentiation

• Life with Racism, Other Mechanisms of Differentiation, and Discrimination

• Equity Programs and Questions about Qualification and Fair Treatment

• The Paradox of Equity Programs

• Towards Equity That Makes Opportunities Possible for All

• Conclusion

8. Identity, Privilege, and Difference

• Conclusion

Instructor Support

• Instructor Manual with discussion questions
• CBC Video