Author: C. Kwon

Howe

1. Discuss some of the results of the study and whether you trust them. Discuss the methodology used in the paper and whether it is a good indication of rationalizing Quebec’s question of sovereignty.

2. The paper keeps making connections between having sovereignty and having better standards of living. Do you agree with this connection? Do you think separation usually results in better standards of living? What do you think is the rationale behind Quebecois’s version of sovereignty?

3. Do you think there is any conflict between the dual identity of Canada as a whole and Québécois identity (or any kind of dual identity like Chinese Canadian) for that matter? What are the differences between being French Canadian and being Chinese Canadian or is there any difference?

Meadwell

1. In the early chapter of Quebecois history, the Roman Catholic church enjoyed a significant degree of political control over the province. Meadwell states that “The population was mobilized by the church around local symbols, with rural life and la patrie linked together and glorified as part of a natural community.” Also, consider the fact that during the mid 19th century there was growing support for secular education and a liberal state. Do you think that such a fact greatly affected the province’s economy? Its economic relationship with the Anglophones?

2. The Internal Colonialism hypothesis suggests that support for nationalism is the strongest in “inferior positions in occupational structures,” and a more complete division of labour makes “independence … a more plausible option.” If we are to take for granted that this thesis is not as flawed as Meadwell suggests, do you think this thesis can work outside the Quebecois context? For instance, can the cultural makeup of BC make the province strive for independence?

3. The New Middle Class theory perceives that “strengthening of the provincial state must at least be a by-product, if not the central goal, of nationalism.” In regards to Quebec, do you think there is usually a conflict of interests between the province and the federal state?

4. The Capitalist State Thesis “points out that the expansion of the parapublic sector has provided not only employment for the middle class but also the infrastructure for private sector growth”, and in the 1980’s, “neoliberalism and a moderate nationalism went hand in hand.” Would you agree that nationalism promotes a certain kind of ideology or economic principles? Why/Why not? Examples?

http://askakorean.blogspot.com/

This forum is operated by a Korean American lawyer who answers pretty much any question about Korea and its culture. “The Korean”, as he calls himself, does not claim that he is an expert in this field; he simply offers his take on the culture, and explains societal components that non-Koreans would find difficult to understand. If he feels that he cannot give a thorough answer, he turns the question to his readers.

Today a lot of people expressed their concerns over cultural critique for the group project, and I thought it could be beneficial for us to look at this website since it is somewhat along the line of what the topic suggests.

Some of the articles that I find particularly interesting are:

How do I pick a Korean among Asians just by looking at them?
Why is StarCraft so popular in Korea?
Why do Koreans hate Japanese?
How to be a Constructive Critic of Korea

If you ask me, I thought that a lot of the stuff he posted were bang-on.

Stein, Searching for Equality (pp.1-22)

1) Would you agree with Stein’s observation that de-politicization of multiculturalism is stemming from Canadians’ accommodation into a pluralistic society? Is the word ‘tolerance’ used to characterize Canadians because people often have to maintain a impartial position or even be indifferent about the clashes between their moral values and respect for diversity? Is this conscious/good-intended/polite ignorance what sustains the current Canadian multiculturalism?

2) Stein argues that Canada is in the phase of “easy multiculturalism”, which raises “no hard questions at all”. Is politicization of multiculturalism necessary for a transition into a “deep multiculturalism”?

3) Should Canada outline a set of national-wide shared values and expect citizens to abide by it, or would such imposition of rules infringe on the respect for values that are unique to various religious/cultural groups? Who’s moral ruler are we using?

Small group discussion:
4) While Stein states “multiculturalism in Canada is inclusive, rather than exclusionary”, she later states that cultural and religious communities tend to form “closed patterns of associations” that hinders “opportunity to talk across cultures”. By including your reflections on professor Toope’s strategic plan and the dialogue with the representatives of cultural clubs at UBC, how would you plan a curriculum at UBC that would foster cross-cultural learning experience? (Give concrete examples)

Kymlicka, Disentangling the Debate (pp.137-155)

1) Where do you feel the line is drawn between political correctness and being too careful? Do you think that when you have to be too careful of what you say in order to avoid offending someone, it is in its own way an insult?

2) How do you feel about the idea of certain organizations picking and choosing their teachings? (ie. religious schools not teaching about contraception/sex education) How do you think that relates to multiculturalism?

3) Why do you think it is that second generation Canadian immigrants still don’t feel Canadian? How long do you think this takes? Are there any factors that may change this?

Ibbitson, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

1. The author argues that there is a “lack of national homogeneity” in Canada and that each region has a separate identity.  Do you agree?  If so, do you think this is a problem?

2. The author writes: “It is the easiest thing to feel Canadian, because it means so little.”  Does the label Canadian really mean so little?

3. Do you think that the author underestimates the desire of some groups to behave in ways that go against the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms?

4. The author claims that we live “in a society built on an economy that encourages success and judges people in large measure by their ability to achieve it.”  Is this true or overly idealistic?

Smith, “Cement for the Canadian Mosaic”: Performing Canadian Citizenship in the Work of John Murray Gibbon

1. Considering Gibbon’s work is from the early twentieth century, does his work still accurately reflect the racial hierarchy and prejudice in the modern Canadian society? If not, what has changed? What do you think instigated such changes?

2. Smith comments that Gibbon treats cultural festivals like they are commercialized packages. Have you seen or experienced a cultural display that you felt was of the same nature? What made you feel that it was superficial or commercial?

3. This article extensively discusses the “management of culture/ethnicity” which is mostly carried out by British Canadians towards non-Anglo immigrants and citizens. Do you think this management can occur within a culture? In other words, do we consciously try to package our own culture to look presentable to Anglo-Canadians?

4. “This inherent instability of the authenticity of the settler subject leads … to attempts to establish the settler’s “native” legitimacy … through representation and discourse.” (Smith 45). What would happen if Anglo-Canadians were not to assert this sense of legitimacy? Would it weaken or strengthen the nation as whole?

5. Smith states that GIbbon didn’t even consider visible minorities as a part of the Canadian mosaic because they can’t be assimilated. How would you define a successful assimilation? In what ways would Canada change if it practiced an immigration policy akin to that of the US?
*(As of 2006 visible minorities formed 16.2% of Canada’s population.)

Feb. 21st Discussion Questions

Canadian Multiculturalism

1. The report claims that the Multiculturalism Act seeks to promote the minority participation in governmental institutions. But we rarely see non-white politicians in Canada. In your opinion what discourages so-called “visible minorities” from running for elections? Or, is it that they attempt to participate but are seldom elected? And how can we try to build a parliament that is more ethnically diverse? (That is, apart from the Act.)

2. The report notes that the Quebecois perceive the Multiculturalism policy as an attempt to diminish the French Canadian culture into that of a minority. Considering British Columbia is overwhelmingly Anglophone, does this worry have some validity? Should English and French Canadian cultures receive a different treatment from others for their status as the “founders” of Canada?

3. The BC government is to “generally, carry on government services and programs in a manner that is sensitive and responsive to the multicultural reality of British Columbia.” What are your thoughts on this requirement? Is it reasonable? Limiting?

4. How do you feel about there being such a high number of Canadians born outside of Canada? Why do you think there is such a high level of immigration from Asia?

5. Do you agree with the statement of “Granatstein also argues that multiculturalism policies have helped spread the idea among immigrants and even native-born Canadians that Canada, particularly English-speaking Canada, has no culture and identity of its own.”? How would you describe Anglo-Canadian culture?

6. What do you think of the idea of teaching various ethnic minority languages in public schools? Do you think it should be mandatory or optional? How many would there be, and how do you decide on which languages would be offered?

Canadian Multiculturalism Act

1. The Multiculturalism Act mentions multiculturalism as heritage of Canada. Is Canada achieving its aspiration as stated in (3j)?

(3j) advance multiculturalism throughout Canada in harmony with the national commitment to the official languages of Canada

2. How effective is the Act? Is there an enforcement mechanism? How would a government oversee its progress?

Feb. 25^th Discussion Questions

Marketing Canadian Pluralism in the International Arena By Kymlicka (pg. 8-25)

1)    What are your thoughts on the reasons behind the marketing of Canadian pluralism? Would you agree with one of Kymlicka’s arguments that domestic scepticism on Canadian model for diversity is challenged or suppressed by the international reputation of diversity in Canada? Why or why not?

2)     What are the root causes of the criticisms of the model of diversity in Canada and how could a disparity between the government and the public on the policy be reconciled?

3)     What circumstances make a pluralist society possible and successful in Canada, relative to other countries?

4)     What would be the role of Canada in the international community to protect the rights of the minorities?

Canada – J’accuse/J’adore By Meisel (pg.95-117)

1) Do you personally think that Canada is, or can be too accommodating to

newcomers/minorities? Is this an important distinguishing characteristic that makes

Canada, Canada?

2) Are reparation payments fair? How do you feel that these payments should be divided, especially generations after the act itself. What criteria should there be in order to seek payment?

3) How do you feel about the hyphenated-Canadian? Do you think it helps preserve original heritage, or is a road block on the way to being a ‘true’ Canadian?