In Ethnicity in the Mainstream she argues that Canadian English culture is indeed carnivalesque and, like that of other ethnic groups, is selected, emergent, and invented, not appropriated intact from the old world. She also explores uses of power in contexts of ethnic expression.

"Ethnicity, write J.W. Berry and J.A. Laponce in their introduction to this volume, is likely to be to the twenty-first century what class was to the twentieth; that is, a major source of tension and political conflict. However, ethnicity is also increasingly likely to be a source of inspiration and diversification within society." "Because of the rapidly developing importance of ethnicity and culture in Canada, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the Ministry of Multiculturalism and Citizenship undertook in 1991 a project to review research on the subject. This volume, in nineteen chapters, is the record of the findings. Papers cover such topics as demography, political philosophy, history, anthropology, sociology, media studies, literature, language learning, education, and ethnic and multicultural attitudes." "Looking back to the Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism, mandated in 1963, the editors point out that the terminology has changed radically, and that the evolution from biculturalism to multiculturalism has clarified not only the political agenda but the research agenda as well. An insistent theme recurs throughout this volume: multiculturalism is taken increasingly as being a characteristic of Canadian society as a whole, rather than a concept focused exclusively on new Canadians." "While the Canadian population has always been ethnically diverse, only recently has the diversity been systematically analysed. Ethnic and multicultural studies are remarkably well developed in Canada, the editors conclude. However, they point out one shortcoming more apparent in some fields than others: we often know quite well how the dominant group views a minority, but we often lack knowledge of the reverse attitudes and opinions. Berry and Laponce recommend that we replace one-way mirrors with windows, preferably open windows."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Being equipped to confront issues related to racial and ethnic diversity is a crucial skill for Canadians. This new edition of Seeing Ourselves uses a collection of personal comments and essays, written by students from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds, to examine what it means to participate in the cultural and ethnic "mosaic" that comprises Canada today. Carl James creates a dialogue with students and readers that probes the meaning of ethnicity, race and culture, both in terms of the meanings individuals bring to these concepts and how they are understood in Canadian society as a whole. The varied perspectives, detailed analyses and careful reflections will be invaluable to anyone seeking to understand the meaning and implications of ethnic diversity in Canadian society today. To facilitate classroom discussion, this edition also includes background information and new, up-to-date statistics on the Canadian population - immigration trends, ethnic composition, religious affiliation and other characteristics of Canadians.

An investigation of the cultural-linguisticaspects of ethnic categories, in Western Canada, with particular reference to the role andthe impact of education, and its operationalized instrument, the school, uponthe direction and substance of changes in culture, language, and theirintangible expression, ethnicity.

In distinguishing themselves from Americans, Canadians have long used the language of metaphor to describe their society as a mosaic and the United States as a melting pot. To undertake this difficult challenge of comparing the cultural myths and realities of Canada and the United States, the C.D. Howe Institute drew on the expertise of two of Canada's most esteemed sociologists, Jeffrey G. Reitz and Raymond Breton, both of whom are professors of sociology at the University of Toronto. Their study, the result of an exhaustive review of the available public opinion data, helps bring a picture of Canadians and Americans into clearer focus. Topics covered are: Canadian beliefs about the mosaic and the melting pot; attitudes toward the retention of minority cultures; the extent of cultural retention; and prejudice and discrimination.