Department: Social Science
Discipline: Sociology
Subject Code: SOCI
Course #: 282H
Course Title: Understanding Canada
HARRISBURG AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
FORM 335
Course Form 335 must be updated at least every five years per AP 765 to include, at a
minimum, the following elements. [§335.2]
1.
Digital Description:
Credit hours:
Lecture hours:
Lab hours:
3.0
3.0
0.0
BL: [ ]⅓ [ ]½ [ ]⅔ [ ] Other (Indicate fraction or percent)
2.
Maximum Enrollment (Insert new/revised maximum enrollments below):
In-Class Instruction: 10
Lab Instruction: 0
(It is assumed that maximum enrollments for blended courses are the same as those identified for In-Class instruction. Maximum
enrollments for Virtual Learning courses are to be 75% of In-Class instruction, as per the SGP on Maximum Class Size):
3.
Catalog Description:
This interdisciplinary social science course provides a general introduction for students
outside of Canada to Canadian society and culture, Toronto, diversity, and themes in city
life. These themes are discussed in the context of Canada, which is one of the most
urbanized nations in the world as a result of its geographic conditions and historical
development, and Toronto, which the United Nations ranked as the most multicultural
city in the world. Topics will include Canada’s economic and political history, significant
societal institutions, ethnic/racial diversity and relations, Canada’s Aboriginal peoples, as
well as the experience of city life (including urban design, planning, and the
environment) using Toronto as an example.
4.
Prerequisites:
Minimum Grade Required
Corequisites:
Other: Completion of all developmental reading and writing courses required as a
result of the College Testing and Placement program.
5.
Learning Outcomes
[These outcomes are necessary to enable students to attain the essential
knowledge and skills embodied in the program’s educational objectives.]
Department: Social Science
Discipline: Sociology
Subject Code: SOCI
Course #: 282H
Course Title: Understanding Canada
Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Describe significant features of Canadian society, including its geography, political
and economic systems, demographics, cultures, and key social institutions.
 Describe significant features of Toronto regarding its diverse communities,
architecture, transportation, urban design and planning, and role as a communications
and financial centre.
 Compare and contrast Canadian and American societies at an introductory level of
proficiency.
 Discuss the question of Canadian culture using social scientific theory and research.
 Analyze key issues regarding Canadian society and cities using social scientific
theory, research as well as their own experiences.
 Discuss the historical development of, and current changes occurring within, the
Canadian nation-state.
 Assess current Canada-U.S. relations using the information, research and theory
studied in the course.
 Discuss and apply key theoretical concepts and ideas related to modern societies,
nation-states and cities.
6.
Planned Sequence of Learning Activities
[These must be designed to help students achieve the learning outcomes.]
Topic
Introduction
Content
Challenging National Stereotypes
What is a nation?
Canada and the U.S. as responses to
the question of what is a good life
cities, suburbs, towns, rural areas as
responses to the question of the good
life
Orientation to Canada
and its Social
Institutions
Canada’s political and economic
systems
social inequality
work - labor market
- labor movement, unions, and
professional associations
crime and punishment
- retributive and restorative
Department: Social Science
Discipline: Sociology
Subject Code: SOCI
Course #: 282H
Course Title: Understanding Canada
Orientation to Canada
and its Social
Institutions
Canada’s safety net
Education, religion, race and ethnicity
gender relations and family
sports and hockey
Video: The Border - episode one
(CBC)
The Border
Travel to Toronto
Arriving in Canada
The Border: Canada-US Relations
- Historical and Contemporary
(McDougall)
Coming to Canada as a Socio-Political
Event and as a Geographical Event
Film: Journey Without Arrival (60 min)
Field Trip: Queen Street Car and
Dinner in Greektown
The Question of
Canadian Culture:
Canada’s Geography
Film: The Drylanders (70 min)
Coming to Toronto: a Socio-Cultural
Event
- overview of Toronto
GBC Lunch
Walking Tour: Georgian and Victorian
Toronto (York) and St Lawrence
Community
The North
Excursion: the Canadian Shield
Toronto and City Life:
What Defines a City?
Diversity and Difference
Organizing Diversity: Multiculturalism
-multiculturalism as a social fact, a
cultural
Department: Social Science
Discipline: Sociology
Subject Code: SOCI
Course #: 282H
Course Title: Understanding Canada
policy and set of institutions
Celebrating Difference
-Toronto’s gay and lesbian
community
Video: Meeting Place
Walking Tour: Chinatown, Kensington
Market, College Street (Little Italy),
Boystown, Indiatown
Toronto and City Life:
Organization of the City
Designing a City: Urban Planning and
Design
Building a City: Architecture
Moving in a City: Transportation
Governing a City: Urban Politics
Relief from the City: Green Spaces
Urban Issues
Video: Cold Truth (24 min)
City Halls Field Trip
Green Spaces Field Trip: Parks,
Islands, Rooftops, Courtyards, and
Ravines
The Question of
Canadian Culture:
Canada’s Economic and
Political History
Canada’s Economic Development
-Harold Innis’ Staples Theory
Metropolis and Hinterland: Toronto as
Communications and Financial
Centre
Walking Tour: Bank Towers, TSE, CN
Tower, CBC, King entertainment
district, NFB, City TV, OCAD, AGO
The Question of
Canadian Culture:
Canada’s Economic and
Political History
Video: Parliamentary Video or O
Canada
Field Trip: The Edwardian Metropolis
Department: Social Science
Discipline: Sociology
Subject Code: SOCI
Course #: 282H
Course Title: Understanding Canada
Canada’s Political
History and Canada-US
Relations
- Union Station, University Ave., U of
T, and Queens Park
The ‘Canada-U.S. War’ (1812-14) and
its Significance for Canada and the
U.S today
Excursion: Niagara (Guest LecturerTom Malcomson)
Emerging Trends and
Tensions:
Multiculturalism,
Immigration, AngloFrench Relations, and
Canada’s Aboriginal
Peoples
Emerging Trends and
Tensions:
Multiculturalism,
Immigration, AngloFrench Relations, and
Canada’s Aboriginal
Peoples
Multiculturalism within a Bilingual
Framework
French Canadians and Quebec
Modernization and Quebec
Nationalism
Old and New Canadians: Changing
Nature of Immigrants
Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples
- land claims, self-government, native
rights, & socio-economic conditions
Video: Polite Revolution (20 min)
Film: Black Robe (110 min) or No
Turning Back (Royal Commission on
Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples)
Field Trip: Native Canadian Centre
and/or Guest Lecturer: Linda Croall
Emerging Trends and
Tensions: Canadian
Social Institutions and
Values
Healthcare
Social Inequality
Environment
Education
Video: Bitter Medicine (30 min)
Field Visit: Harbourfront
Emerging Trends and
Tensions: Canada-US
Relations, Economics,
Politics, and Media
Innis, McLuhan and Grant on
Technology, Communication and
Media
Globalization and Postmodern Society
Department: Social Science
Discipline: Sociology
Subject Code: SOCI
Course #: 282H
Course Title: Understanding Canada
McWorld vs. Jihad
Canada-U.S. Trade and Investment
Video: The Corporation (excerpt) (35
min)
Dinner: Chinatown
The Border Revisited
Travel to Harrisburg
Consolidation: What
Did You Learn About
Canada?
Consolidation: What
Did You Learn About
the US?
Consolidation: The
Question of the Good
Life
7.
Postmodern Society and the Good Life
Assessment of Student Learning
[Methods of assessment should be appropriate for Learning Outcomes listed above.]
Assessment of student learning outcomes for the course, as required by AP 765, is part of
regular curriculum maintenance and/or improvement. The specific plan has been
determined by the pertinent faculty involved and is maintained in the College’s
assessment management system. Methods will include:




8.
Objective Tests on Readings
Short Written Assignments
Canada Journal
Final Paper
List of Texts, References, Selected Library Resources or other Learning Materials
(code each item based on instructional use): C-Lecture/Laboratory, A-Lecture, BLaboratory, LC-Lecture/Clinical, CLN-Clinical, I-Online,
BL-Blended, D-Independent Study, P-Private Lessons, E-Internship,
F-Cooperative Work-Study, FE-Field Experience. [These resources must be easily
accessible to students.]
Textbooks:
Department: Social Science
Discipline: Sociology
Subject Code: SOCI
Course #: 282H
Course Title: Understanding Canada
Thomas, David M., and Torrey, Barbara Boyle (eds.). 2008. Canada and the United
States: Differences That Count. Peterborough, ON: Broadview Press. (customized
edition)
Print Resources:
Adams, Michael. 2003. Fire and Ice. Toronto: Penguin Canada.
Adams, Michael. 2007. Unlikely Utopia: The Surprising Triumph of Canadian
Multiculturalism. Toronto: Penguin Canada. [notably the Preface to the Paperback
Edition]
Blum, Alan. 2003. “Scenes.” in The Imaginative Structure of the City. Montreal and
Kingston: McGill-Queens university Press: 164-188.
Brooks, Stephen. 2002. America Through Foreign Eyes: Classic Interpretations of
American Political Life. Toronto, ON: Oxford University Press.
Carroll, Michael P. 2005. “Who owns democracy? Explaining the long-running debate
over Canadian-American value differences”. Canadian Review of Sociology and
Anthropology. Vol. 42. No. 3, 267-282
Cohen, Andrew. 2007. The Unfinished Canadian: The People We Are. Toronto:
McClelland and Stewart,
Davis, Arthur K. 1971. “Canadian society as hinterland versus metropolis”, in Canadian
Society: Pluralism, Change and Conflict, Richard J. Ossenberg (editor). Scarborough,
ON: Prentice Hall Canada, 6-32.
Dickerson, Mark and Thomas Flanagan. 1994. An Introduction to Government and
Politics: A Conceptual Approach. Toronto: Nelson.
Dyck, Rand. 2004. Canadian Politics: Critical Approaches, 4th edition. Toronto:
Thomson Nelson.
Frideres, James and Rene R. Gadacz. 2008. Native Peoples in Canada, 8th edition.
Toronto: Pearson.
Frye, Northrop. 1982. “Sharing the continent” from Divisions on a Ground: Essays in
Canadian Culture. Toronto: Anansi Press: 57-70.
Gopnik, Adam. 2009. “Letter from Canada: The return of the native”. The New Yorker.
September 7: 26-32.
Department: Social Science
Discipline: Sociology
Subject Code: SOCI
Course #: 282H
Course Title: Understanding Canada
Grabb, E., and James Curtis. 2004. Regions Apart: The Four Societies of Canada and the
United States. Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press.
Gregg, Allan. 2006. “Identity crisis – Multiculturalism: a twentieth century dream
becomes a twenty-first century conundrum”. Walrus. 3 (2): 38-47.
Guindon, Hubert. 1988. “Quebec and the Canadian question” from Quebec Society:
Tradition, Modernity and Nationhood, R. Hamilton and J. McMullan (editors). Toronto:
University of Toronto: 125-146.
Ibbitson, John. 2009. Open and Shut: Why America Has Barack Obama, and Canada
Has Stephen Harper. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart.
Innis, Harold. 1997. “Conclusion from the Fur Trade in Canada” in A Passion for
Identity, 3rd edition, David Taras and Beverley Rasporich (editors). Toronto: Nelson: 1526.
Kipfer, Stephan. 1999-2000. “Whose city is it?” in Cityscope: Newsletter of the
Community Social Planning Council of Toronto. Winter.
Kroker, Arthur. 1994. Technology and the Canadian Mind: Innis/McLuhan/Grant.
Montreal: New World Perspectives.
Lipset, Seymour Martin. 1990. Continental Divide: The Values and Institutions of
Canada and the United States. Taylor and Francis.
McDougall, John N. 2006. Drifting Together: The Political Economy of Canada-US
Integration. Peterborough, ON: Broadview.
McGregor, Gaile. 2009. “Book Review” in Canadian Review of Sociology. Vol. 46,
No. 1 [February], pages 87-98.
McHugh, Patricia. 1989. Toronto Architecture: A City Guide, 2nd edition. Toronto:
McClelland and Stewart.
MacLean, Eleanor. 1985. Between the Lines. Montreal: Black Rose Press.
McKay, Ian. 2005. Rebels, Reds and Radicals: Rethinking Canada’s Left History.
Toronto: Between the Lines.
Newman, Peter C. 1975. The Canadian Establishment. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart.
Pryke, Kenneth G. and Walter C. Soderlund (editors). 1998. Profiles of Canada, 2nd
edition. Toronto: Irwin.
Department: Social Science
Discipline: Sociology
Subject Code: SOCI
Course #: 282H
Course Title: Understanding Canada
Oberg, Kalvero. 1960. “Culture shock: Adjustments to new cultural environments.
Practical Anthropology. July-August, 177-182”.
Saul, John Ralston. 1997. Reflections of a Siamese Twin: Canada at the Beginning of the
Twenty-First Century.. Toronto: Penguin Canada.
Saul, John Ralston. 2008. A Fair Country: Telling Truths About Canada. Toronto:
Penguin.
Simmel, Georg. 1971, originally 1903. “Metropolis and mental life” from On
Individuality and Social Forms: Selected Writings, Trans. By Donald Levine. Chicago:
The University of Chicago: 324-339.
Solderstrom, Mary. 2008. The Walkable City: From Haussmann’s Boulevards to Jane
Jacob’s Streets and Beyond. Montreal: Vehicule Press.
Taylor, Charles. 1992. Multiculturalism and the Politics of Recognition. Princeton, NJ:
Princeton University Press.
Taras, David and Beverly Rasporich.. 2001. A Passion for Identity: Canadian Studies for
the 21st Century, 4th edition. Toronto: Nelson.
Thomas, David M. and Barbara Boyle Torrey. 2008. Canada and the United States:
Differences That Count, 3rd edition. Broadview Press, Peterborough, ON.
Tindal, Richard. 2005. A Citizen’s Guide to Government, 3rd edition. Toronto: McGrawHill Ryerson.
Whitson, David. 1997. “Hockey and Canadian identities: from frozen rivers to revenue
streams” in A Passion for Identity: An Introduction to Canadian Studies, David Taras
and Beverley Rasporich (editors). Toronto: Nelson: 297-320.
Wilden, Tony. 1980. The Imaginary Canadian: An Examination for Discovery.
Vancouver: Pulp Press.
Relevant Journals:
American Review of Canadian Studies
Examines Canada and the Canadian point of view from a decidedly American perspective
with particular attention to history, politics and political science.
British Journal of Canadian Studies
Presents information on Canada’s place and role in the wider English and French
speaking worlds Canadian Ethnic Studies. Devoted to the study of ethnicity,
immigration, inter-group relations and the history and cultural
Department: Social Science
Discipline: Sociology
Subject Code: SOCI
Course #: 282H
Course Title: Understanding Canada
inter-group relations and the history and cultural groups in Canada.
Canadian Geographic
Features articles, profiles and interviews, Society news, weather and news of note on all
aspects of geography--historical, human, physical and economic published for members
of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
Canadian Historical Review
Articles on the broad spectrum of Canadian history.
Canadian Issues
A publication of the Association for Canadian Studies, which seeks to expand and
disseminate knowledge about Canada through teaching, research and publications.
Canadian Journal of History
Articles and review articles in English or French in all periods of history and in all fields
other than Canadian, extensive numbers of book reviews and lists of recently published
books.
Canadian Journal of Political Science
Politics, government & international relations; history; politics & political science.
Canadian Journal of Social and Political Theory [ www.ctheory.net/library/default.asp ]
Published from 1976-1991, the CJSPT was envisioned as an independent intellectual
journal of critical thought. It published articles by theorists, writers, artists and poets
drawing on new critical theory, from feminism and cultural studies to film theory
and psychoanalysis, and topicalized emerging postmodern society. Contributors included
theorists: Baudrillard, Habermas, Marcuse, Sontag, Aronwitz, Giddens, Lefort, Bauman,
Jaccoby, Eagleton, and Leclau. The volumes contain prescient and engaging works still
relevant as we experience intensified, global forms of social and political repression.
Canadian Journal of Sociology
Covers all aspects of sociology.
Canadian Literature
Critical articles, poetry, opinions & notes by Canadians, & extensive numbers of book
reviews.
Canadian Review of American Studies
Multi- and interdisciplinary analyses and understanding of the culture, past and present,
of the U.S., and of the relation between Canadian and U.S. culture.
Canadian Review of Sociology
Covers all aspects of sociology.
Department: Social Science
Discipline: Sociology
Subject Code: SOCI
Course #: 282H
Course Title: Understanding Canada
Canadian Women’s Studies
Current research and writing on women - a resource for the feminist reader.
Canadian Social Science
Provides a forum to share knowledge related to broad range of topics including, but not
limited to, political science, sociology, history, social work, geography, international
studies, women's studies, and children's learning.
Journal of Canadian Studies
An interdisciplinary journal with articles addressing Canada or Canadian life with an
emphasis on Canadian history, literature and literary criticism, sociology,
social policy, and social work
Internet Resources:
Canada Fact Sheet: http://canada.gc.ca/canadiana/faitc/faind_e.html
Canadian Citizenship and Immigration: cicnet.ci.gc.ca
Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms:
www.lateraltech.com/~wwlia/ca-chart.html
Canadian Government Electronic Directory:
http://canada.gc.ca/search/direct500/geds_e.html
Canadian Parliament Internet: http://www.parl.gc.ca/
Canadian Parliamentary Review: http://www.magi.com/~infoparl
Canadian Policy Research Networks: www.cprn.com/
Criminal Code of Canada: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/result
Dominion Institute: www.dominion.ca
Economy: http://www.policyalternatives.ca
Families (Canada): http://www.vifamily.ca
Family and Marriage (U.S.): http://www.trinity.edu/~mkearl/family.html
Federation of Canadian Municipalities: www.fcm.ca/
GDP web documentary on the current recession’s effect on Canadians: gdp.nfb.ca
Globalization: http://www.polity.co.uk/global/research.htm
Government of Canada: http://Canada.gc.ca
Justice and Crime Statistics-Canada: http://www.statscan.ca/start/html
Political Parties-Canada: http://www.magic.ca/~ondy/can.html
Political Resources-Canada: www.agora.stm.it/politic/canada/canada.htm
Public Policy Forum: www.ppforum.com/
Royal Commission on Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples:
www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ap/rrc-eng.asp
Social and Economic Issues-Canada: http://www.ccsd.ca/
Social and Economic Issues-International: http://www.oecd.org
Social Justice -Canada: http://www.clc-ctc.ca
Social Justice -International: http://www.ilo.org
SocioWeb-Sociological Resources: http://www.socioweb.com/~markbl/socioweb
Statistics Canada: http://www.statscan.ca/start.html
Department: Social Science
Discipline: Sociology
Subject Code: SOCI
Course #: 282H
Course Title: Understanding Canada
Work and Organizations: http://www.ic.gc.ca/
NOTE: Wikipedia, helpful as it may be, is not accepted as a recognized academic
source in this course.
Audio-Visual Resources:
Bitter Medicine: Medicare in Crisis (NFB, 1985, 28 min.)
Black Robe (Alliance Communications, 1991, 101 min.)
The Border (CTV)
Canadian Parliamentary Video (1989, 33 min.)
Cold Truth Challenges Facing Homeless Youth in Toronto (1999, 24 min)
The Corporation (2004, 105 min)
The Drylanders (NFB, 1962, 70 min.) http://nfb.ca/film/drylanders/
East Side Showdown (1998, 47 min)
Journey Without Arrival (CBC TV, Images of Canada Series, 1975, 57 min.)
Meeting Place
No Turning Back: The Royal Commission on Aboriginal peoples (1996, 30 min.)
Nunavut (NFB, 1992, 22 min.)
O Canada: And Introduction to Canadian Politics and Government (TVO, 1993, 29 min.)
Polite Revolution (CBC/Prentice Hall)
To Canada With Love and Some Misgivings (NFB, 1996, 52 min.)
9.
Prepared by Faculty Member: David R. Liu
Date: October 2009
10.
Approved by Department Chairperson: David R. Liu
Date: October 2009
11.
Approved by Academic Division Dean: Michael C. Corradino Date: 10/26/09
This course meets all reimbursement requirements of Chapter 335, subchapters A /
B.
This course was developed, approved, and offered in accordance with the policies,
standards, guidelines, and practices established by the College. It is consistent with
the college mission.
If the course described here is a transfer course, it is comparable to similar courses
generally accepted for transfer to accredited four-year colleges and universities.
12.
Director, Curriculum Compliance: Catherine A. Lencioni
Date: 10/29/09
13.
Provost & VP, Academic Affairs: Ronald R. Young
Date: 10/29/09
14.
Original Date of course approval by the college:
Department: Social Science
Discipline: Sociology
Subject Code: SOCI
Course #: 282H
Course Title: Understanding Canada
15.
Date(s) of subsequent reviews [Indicate change: Learning Outcomes; textbook(s)]:
12/1/04
Review and updated: 10/26/07; 1/11/08; 1/16/09; 7/14/09
8/26/14: Insert Approved Max Enrollment Numbers