The course will employ a variety of instructional methods to accomplish its objectives, including some of the following: lectures, audio-visual materials including overheads and films, small group discussions oral presentations (discussion seminars) and specialist speakers.
- Introduction
- Topics and issues covered
- Description of oral presentation format
- Course objectives
- Class lecture/discussion format
- Examination methods
- Sociological approaches to race and ethnicity
- Sociological Concepts and Theories
- Theories and concepts relating to intergroup dynamics
- Concept of race
- Intergroup relations
- Historical context of racial and ethnic relations
- Racism and Discrimination
- Critical examination of problematic issues in defining race
- Discrimination, prejudice, ethnocentrism, stereotyping
- Definitions and types of racism
- Racism as a personal and a public problem
- Discussion of strategies for defeating racism
- Ethnicity
- The concept of “ethnicity& Examination of race and ethnicity in relation to social stratification
- Examination of gender and its relationship to race and ethnicity
- Non-Charter Racial and Ethic Groups in Canada
- Examination of Canada’s demographic profile
- Ethnic relations and equality
- Affirmative action and managing diversity
- Aboriginal peoples
- Multiculturalism
- Immigration policy
- The “refugee dilemma”
- The social policy of “multiculturalism”
- Institutional dimensions of the social policy of multiculturalism
- Summary/Overview of Course
At the conclusion of the course the successful student will be able to:
- Describe some of the ways in which racial and ethnic relations are affected by social and cultural factors.
- Describe and evaluate how social structural conditions influence race and ethnicity in society.
- Critically evaluate the political and economic contexts relating to race and ethnic relations.
- Describe and be able to employ key sociological concepts relating to the description and analysis of racial and ethnic dynamics and social relations.
- Apply sociological perspective(s) to important issues pertaining to race and ethnic relations.
- Critically evaluate significant social issues relating to race and ethnicity as these pertain to contemporary Canadian society.
Course evaluation is based on formative and summative elements and is in accord with the Douglas College student evaluation policy. Specific components of evaluation will include some of the following: exams made up of multiple choice, true/false, short answer, and short essay questions; essay assignment; oral presentation; and the participation in class discussions, student presentations, and group discussions.
Specific evaluation criteria will be provided by the instructor at the beginning of the semester.
An example of one evaluation scheme:
| Mid-term exam | 20% |
| Essay/written assignment | 25% |
| Final exam | 25% |
| Oral presentation | 15% |
| Participation | 15% |
| Total | 100% |
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students:
Texts will be updated periodically. Typical examples are:
Elliott, Jean L. and A. Fleras. (1992) Unequal Relations: An Introduction to Race and Ethnic Dynamics in Canada. Scarborough, Ontario: Prentice-Hall.