Midterm topics

Question 1

What is the importance of race and ethnicity in cultural identity?

Answer 1

It fosters a sense of belonging and group formation.

Question 2

What do sociologists aim to achieve in their projects?

Answer 2

Describe how the world works and offer explanations for patterns of behaviour.

Question 3

What is Durkheim’s collective conscience?

Answer 3

A primary source of identity formation emphasizing community sentiments over individual ones.

Question 4

How did Herodotus contribute to the understanding of ethnic groups?

Answer 4

His Histories describes various ethnic groups, their languages, customs, and histories.

Question 5

Define racialization.

Answer 5

The process of categorizing people based on physical appearance.

Question 6

What is race considered to be?

Answer 6

A social construct.

Question 7

Is there an agreed-upon definition of racism?

Answer 7

No, there is no agreed-upon definition.

Question 8

What characterizes new racism?

Answer 8

Racially neutral language that is politically acceptable in public discourse.

Question 9

What is a common fear associated with new racism in the US?

Answer 9

Fear of non-English languages undermining the American nation.

Question 10

What are racialized anti-immigrant attitudes informed by?

Answer 10

Fear that immigrants drain public resources.

Question 11

What is the primordial approach to ethnicity?

Answer 11

Conceptualizes ethnicity as a given characteristic at birth derived from biological ties.

Question 12

What did Pierre van den Berghe argue about kinship groups?

Answer 12

They act together for self-preservation and mutual aid.

Question 13

What role does religion play according to Weber?

Answer 13

A strong source of group self-identification and values.

Question 14

How is culture defined?

Answer 14

As a set of dynamic social processes and practices.

Question 15

What are some scientific theories about race types?

Answer 15

Distinct biological types exist; cultural variation is linked to biological differences.

Question 16

What is structural assimilation?

Answer 16

Integration of minorities into the economic, social, and political life of a country.

Question 17

What does the term ‘vertical mosaic’ refer to?

Answer 17

The relationship between ethnic affiliation and social class membership.

Question 18

What is Robert Park’s race relations cycle?

Answer 18

A cycle with stages leading to assimilation of subordinate groups into the dominant majority.

Question 19

What is the ‘two founding nations’ metaphor in Canada?

Answer 19

It has been criticized for not including Indigenous peoples and other immigrant nations.

Question 20

What did the Quebec Act of 1774 do?

Answer 20

Accommodated French-Canadian society but led to conflicts between English and French populations.

Question 21

What distinguishes multiculturalism from interculturalism in Canada?

Answer 21

Interculturalism emphasizes integration into Quebec’s unique social and economic fabric.

Question 22

What was the Royal Proclamation’s significance?

Answer 22

Recognized Indigenous people’s rights to land and required consent for land acquisition.

Question 23

What issues arise from treaties signed by Indigenous peoples?

Answer 23

Disagreements over interpretations and government negligence in fulfilling obligations.

Question 24

Why were Indigenous peoples considered superfluous?

Answer 24

They were viewed as obstacles to progress needing assimilation or displacement.

Question 25

What restrictions were placed on Indigenous cultural practices by the Indian Act?

Answer 25

Celebration of Indian culture was prohibited.

Question 26

What are 'in-between peoples' referring to?

Answer 26

Eastern and southern Europeans who faced unique social challenges.

Question 27

What does intersectional analysis address?

Answer 27

The combined effects of discrimination based on race and sex.

Question 28

What is critical race theory?

Answer 28

Focuses on racial inequalities in the distribution of social goods.

Question 29

What does post-colonialism seek to understand?

Answer 29

The historical legacy of racism and the persistence of new forms of racism.

Question 30

What was Edward Said's focus in Orientalism?

Answer 30

The misrepresentation of Arab cultures by the West.

Question 31

What did Frantz Fanon argue about colonization?

Answer 31

It was a violent process that denigrated Indigenous cultures.

Question 32

What is 'whiteness' in social studies?

Answer 32

A socially constructed identity that has changed over time.

Question 33

What does 'white privilege' refer to?

Answer 33

Unacknowledged advantages enjoyed by white individuals.

Question 34

What is the 'white gaze'?

Answer 34

The dominant perspective that shapes how others are perceived.

Question 35

What was the perception of Indigenous peoples by the Canadian government and settlers?

Answer 35

Indigenous peoples were often thought to be 'in the way' of progress and needed to either assimilate or be displaced. ## Footnote This reflects a colonial mindset that prioritized settlement and economic development over Indigenous rights.

Question 36

What did the Amendment of the Indian Act prohibit?

Answer 36

It prohibited the celebration of Indian culture and required government surveys. ## Footnote This was part of broader efforts to assimilate Indigenous peoples.

Question 37

Who were considered 'in-between peoples' in the context of Canadian immigration?

Answer 37

Eastern and southern Europeans were considered 'in-between peoples' regarding racial distinctions. ## Footnote The definition of 'whiteness' was not as clear in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Question 38

What was the continuous journey stipulation related to immigration?

Answer 38

It required that immigrants travel to Canada without stopping in any other country. ## Footnote The Komagata Maru incident in 1914 highlighted the enforcement of this stipulation.

Question 39

What significant change occurred in Canadian immigration policy post-WW2?

Answer 39

The Chinese Immigration Act was repealed in 1947, leading to a new Immigration Act in 1952 that considered various factors for admission. ## Footnote Factors included nationality, citizenship, ethnic group, and others.

Question 40

What issues were reported with the 2006 Nigeria census?

Answer 40

Violence and intimidation affected census enumerators, and important demographic questions were omitted. ## Footnote Critics claimed this was to maintain the balance of power among ethnic groups.

Question 41

What type of questions does the National Household Survey (NHS) include?

Answer 41

It includes questions about education, marital status, age, occupation, income, and more. ## Footnote The NHS aims to gather comprehensive demographic data.

Question 42

What did Yehudi Webster criticize about Statistics Canada's racial composition measurement?

Answer 42

He called it an 'act of promiscuous stupidity' that promotes race consciousness. ## Footnote He warned that Canada would face negative consequences for this approach.

Question 43

What is the Non-Immigrant Employment Authorization Program (NIEAP)?

Answer 43

A program producing non-citizens exempt from minimum employment standards and social services. ## Footnote This creates a vulnerable workforce without access to basic rights.

Question 44

What challenges do temporary employment visas for farm workers present?

Answer 44

Workers face exploitation, lack of rights, and no promise of permanent residency. ## Footnote This program began in the late 1960s.

Question 45

What are non-status immigrants?

Answer 45

They are an important part of Canada's economy, often working in sectors where they are exploited. ## Footnote Examples include visa overstayers and failed refugee claimants.

Question 46

What is the impact of neoliberalism on Canadian immigration policy?

Answer 46

It has been influenced by business interests and a security agenda, prioritizing global competitiveness. ## Footnote Critics argue it undermines humanitarian aspects of immigration.

Question 47

What are the sub-categories of refugees in Canada?

Answer 47

* Refugee and Humanitarian Resettlement Program for people outside Canada * In-Canada Asylum Program for those making claims from within Canada

Question 48

What was notable about Roxham Road in 2017?

Answer 48

It saw a significant number of people crossing into Canada, raising discussions about immigration policy. ## Footnote The situation highlighted tensions regarding the Safe Third Country Agreement.

Question 49

What does the Safe Third Country Agreement entail?

Answer 49

It prevents individuals from making a refugee claim in Canada if they are already in a safe country. ## Footnote This agreement has been controversial in light of changing migration patterns.

Question 50

What is the family class immigration process in Canada?

Answer 50

Sponsors can bring certain relatives to Canada and must support them financially for 3 to 20 years. ## Footnote Sponsored individuals must also try to become self-supporting.