Hello world!
Hello my fellow classmates!
Sorry for catching on so late, this will not happen again! And hello perhaps to anyone else chancing upon this sight as well? I’m excited to begin the readings for this course! First up, a little introduction. I’m a 4th year Philosophy student with a minor in English Literature! I’m from a tiny place called Singapore which experiences summer all year round and is known for its great street food!
Getting back on track, the course, in summary, entails the discussion and examination of Canadian literature through a myriad of sources. Throughout the semester, it is our onus as students to analyze our sources and use it as a springboard for the discussion of creating change, which is done through the means of a very hands-on online course. It is with hope that the discourse that is reached will synthesize useful ideas and create dialogue which I believe can even further extend beyond the sphere of Canada. The land and the people are at the centre of this course, as students, what can we do to analyze and examine changes we would perhaps want to see?
That being said, my expectations for the course are simple! I am pursuing a minor in English Literature, and of course, studying in Canada (Oh Home and Native Land!). So being able to check off something such as ‘Canadian Literature’ as one of my courses is a definite must! Of course there lies so much for readers like ourselves to explore in terms of Canadian Literature- with a culture and history which is relatively young in comparison to some others, it far from pales in terms of its rich and interesting aspects. I believe that from a different range of background we would all be able to provide interesting perspectives throughout the discussion of this course and its very relevant context. How can change be beneficial and yet preserve tradition?
I hope to learn more about the base which forms Canada and inevitably the changes which have occurred over time, and hope this course can help me to do so! Looking forward to learning from and working with everyone! Have a great weekend!
To learn more about First Nations status according to the Canadian government: https://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1307460755710/1307460872523
For an example of the worries faced by the First Nations, but in fact should be a concern for humanity in general:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal/first-nations-issues-what-will-make-canadians-care-1.2689979
And for some of the benefits of learning about First Nations literature, please see:
http://www.ohchr.org/documents/issues/ipeoples/emrip/studylanguages/assemblyfirstnations1.pdf
Hello Debra – very nice to meet you through this introduction — welcome to our course of studies, I think you will indeed find this an interesting and rewarding addition to your studies in literature. I am looking forward to working together this summer. Enjoy.
Hey Debra,
While reading your introduction, I was struck by this question you asked: ‘How can change be beneficial and yet preserve tradition?’ I believe that change is absolutely necessary in order to avoid stagnation, and that progress can only be made when change is brought about, be it in the form of technology, fresh faces (through immigration, perhaps), or through the evolution and development of the stories we tell each other and ourselves. I think stories definitely help to preserve tradition as well, as so much heritage and history lies at the heart of stories. Thanks for raising such a thought- provoking question, and I’m looking forward to working with you.
-Alishae Abeed http://www.blogs.ubc.ca/alishaeabeed/
Hi Alishae!
Thank you for the reply! I agree with you completely and find it interesting to observe the changing climate within Canada since her very beginning to the current times. In recent years, immigration policies in Canada have been rapidly changing and I believe this too is an interesting point of discussion in comparison to the past, for which I believe can and will be explored through this course! Looking forward to working with you as well!
Best, Debra