Exam 8: Race and Ethnic Relations

Through much of the dinner conversation, Jayden grew increasingly angry with her father who insisted that the people living north of the tree line were Eskimos. She finally left the table, exclaiming that "You don't know what you're talking about." Why would Jayden say this to her father?

Within Canada, there is a single and clear-cut pattern of ethnic and racial economic disadvantage.

A correctional service had a physical abilities screening test that included lifting heavy bags and carrying them, and operating push-pull machines with minimum weight requirements. Virtually all of the females failed the test because they could not handle the weights. Consequently, few females were hired as correctional officers. What term used by sociologists best identifies this practice?

Explain the culture of poverty thesis and discuss why some critics consider it to be a classic example of "blaming the victim."

Steven argues that the reason Aboriginal people are destitute is a direct result of their poor work ethic and the fact that they don't strive for economic success and achievement. What can Steven's position be related to?

According to the text, what is the main difference between race and ethnicity?

Why does the author assert that socialization approaches to racism are superior to social psychological and primordialist approaches? What are the limitations of socialization approaches, and how have theories in the conflict tradition attempted to address these limitations?

Which of the following nineteenth-century Quebec circumstances fuelled Québécois nationalism?

According to the text, how do sociologists define racism?

What conclusion does sociologist Steinberg reach when he critiques a "culture of poverty" explanation?

Tarik's parents encouraged him to participate in activities in their Bosnian community in Canada, but he refused, telling his parents that he was "Canadian." Five years later, however, he became active in the community, volunteered at a Bosnian cultural centre, and called himself "Bosnian." What does this case study demonstrate?

Brazilians of Japanese descent who emigrate back to Japan have been told they are "too Brazilian" to fit into the conservative Japanese culture. As a result, they become "more Brazilian" by organizing samba parades, wearing brightly coloured clothing, and speaking Portuguese in public. What type of ethnic construction does this demonstrate?

What are the six main variables that have influenced which groups of people have been allowed to immigrate to Canada?

A young man grew up in the U.S. Deep South; his grandfather, and father were both members of the Ku Klux Klan, and he is a member of the Klan-with an abiding hatred of minorities. Which theory of ethnic relations predicts this man's prejudice?

Tuan and his parents moved to Canada from Vietnam when he was eight years old. Now, at the age of 24, he is filling out a census form and he registers himself as a Canadian, even though the form would allow him to acknowledge his ethnic roots. What does this imply about the concept of ethnicity?

The school board abolished an old regulation that no students from Country X would be admitted. The regulation had been put in place because the board had believed (at the time) that people from Country X were less intelligent and unable to achieve appropriate academic standards. The reasoning for this old regulation is an example of which of the following?

In a sociology class discussing racism, Brendon asserts that the Canadian government is racist, given the ways by which it has exploited and unfairly treated the Aboriginal population. What type of explanation is Brendon giving?

Define institutional racism and list the three forms that it can take.

The internal colonial model for explaining inequalities between Aboriginal people and others in Canada is a variant of social constructionist theory.

The text tells you that Canadian society has been characterized by John Porter as a vertical mosaic. What is the nature of that mosaic today? Are there any class and gender differences within ethnic and "racial" groups? If so, what are their implications for economic and political power, not only among, but also within, groups?