Canadian Culture, Multiculturalism, and Sociological Perspectives

What are the defining features of Canadian culture?

• Equality and fairness

• support for diversity, compassion and generosity,

• attachment to Canada's natural beauty, and Canada's world image.

What does the Official Languages Act of 1969 establish?

It establishes French and English as the official languages of Canada

What percentage of Canadians speak English as their first official language?

75% of Canadians.

What is the significance of the ethnic fractionalization index?

measures the probability that two randomly selected people from the same country are not from the same ethnic linguistic, or cultural group.

What does the Canadian Multiculturalism Act affirm?

• It affirms the policy of equal treatment for all Canadians,

• Allows for the use of languages other than English and French.

What is the role of culture in society?

• Culture encompasses knowledge, language, values, customs, and material objects

What are the three lenses cultural sociologists use to examine meaning-making?

1) Cultural objects and their properties

2) Interaction between individuals and groups

3) Culture production in organizations and institutions.

What are the characteristics of culture?

Culture is learned, shared, transmitted, cumulative, and human.

What is material culture?

Material culture refers to the physical creations that members of a society make, use, and share.

What is nonmaterial culture?

Nonmaterial culture consists of the abstract human creations of society that influence people's behavior.

What is the importance of understanding cultural diversity?

It provides insights into how power and inequality are upheld and helps comprehend social group cohesion and complex social structures.

What percentage of Canadians are bilingual?

18% of Canadians are bilingual.

What is the significance of Indigenous languages in Canada?

Reflects distinctive histories, cultures, and identities linked to family, community, the land, and traditional knowledge.

What role does culture play in shaping human nature?

Culture shapes not only what we do but also what we think and how we feel.

What is the relationship between culture and social issues?

Understanding cultural conflict can help comprehend urgent societal issues.

What does the term 'cultural sociology' refer to?

It refers to the study of how culture influences social life and the meaning-making processes within societies.

What is the significance of the 2022 survey on multiculturalism in Canada?

64% of Canadians view multiculturalism as important to Canadian identity, an increase from previous years.

How do cultural sociologists view meaning?

understanding meaning because everyone creates meaning, which aids in comprehending social dynamics.

What does the term 'heterogeneity of Canadian society' refer to?

the diverse ethnic origins and cultural backgrounds present within Canadian society.

What are the key components of culture?

Language, beliefs, values, rules of behavior, family patterns, and political systems.

How do we learn about culture?

Through interaction, observation, and imitation.

What are the three levels of social structures where culture is learned?

Macro (societal systems), meso (intermediate groupings), and micro (individual interactions).

What are cultural repertoires?

Frameworks for understanding how people use cultural symbols, practices, and beliefs to navigate social situations.

How do cultural repertoires respond to social settings?

They are dynamic and responsive, not permanent or static.

What types of cultural forms are included in cultural repertoires?

Language, art, music, literature, religion, and politics.

What is cultural capital?

The unequal distribution of cultural resources, affecting individuals' ability to navigate social situations.

What is culture shock?

The unease travelers feel when encountering an unfamiliar culture.

How does language influence our understanding of reality?

Language shapes our perception of social reality rather than merely mirroring it.

What is indexicality in language?

The concept that language is both context shaping and context dependent.

What does dynamic nominalism refer to?

The idea that terms for social issues evolve as societal attitudes change.

What is ethnocentrism?

The tendency to judge other cultures by the standards of one's own culture.

What is cultural relativism?

Judging cultural practices and beliefs within their own cultural context.

Who is Shirin Ebadi?

An Iranian lawyer and human rights activist, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003.

What is the dominant culture?

The culture of the most powerful group in society, supported by major institutions.

What is popular culture?

Beliefs, practices, and objects that are mass-produced and widely distributed, including social media.

How does culture shape public opinion?

It influences perceptions of social issues and can promote narrow definitions of identity.

What are some sociological perspectives on sports?

Sports are analyzed through lenses of culture, class, gender, and race, addressing issues like violence and commercialism.

What are the two faces of culture?

Culture can be a constraining influence that limits choices or an enabling influence that increases choices.

How does culture change?

Through discovery, innovation, and diffusion in response to changing societal conditions.

What are some empirical topics in the sociology of culture?

Artistic production, culture and organization, and identity.