IC in QC - Spring 13

7/27/2019 IC in QC - Spring 13

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Interculturalism,Ethics and Religious

Culture, and Dialogue


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Bouchard & TaylorCommission on Reasonable Accommodation

To summarize, we could say that Quebec interculturalism:

a) institutes French as the common language of interculturalrelations;

b) cultivates a pluralistic orientation that is highly sensitive tothe protection of rights;

c) preserves the creative tension between diversity and thecontinuity of the French-speaking core and the social link;

d) places emphasis on integration;

e) advocates interaction (dialogue)


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Multiculturalism vs

Interculturalism


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Multiculturalism

The pursuit of integration and diversitymanagement capitalizes on the promotionand valorization of cultural diversity as anend in itself.


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Interculturalism

Regards the integration of new citizens aspart of a dynamic, open-ended process oftransforming a common societal culturethrough intercultural contact.

note: fundamental difference in how these modeltreat culture


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Similarities

Both MC & IC promote integration

Help immigrants to play a full and equal role in society

despite the cultural mainstream.

Prioritize a wide range of government interventionsthat serve to remove obstacles to social integration.

Insist on a basic civil framework outlined in primary

legal documents (Constitution & The Charter ofRights and Freedoms)


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Defining characteristics of

Interculturalism

Dialogue:

process of constructing a common political culture takesplace through encounters, democratic interaction, andcultural exchange between citizens of various culturalorigins and values perspectives.


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Defining Characteristics

(contd)

Sociological Asymmetry: The acknowledgement that in the process of political

dialogue, the values, beliefs, and practices, immigrants andthose of the dominant cultural space do not carry equalweight.


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Defining Characteristics

(contd)

Moral Contract: Appeals to all Quebecois to further the basic societal

values of individual rights and freedoms, democraticparticipation, the promotion of the French language,openness to plurality and intercultural dialogue.

the moral contract has strongly influencedcurriculum in Quebec


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Reaction to Globalizing

Processes

The political landscape of contemporary Quebec is

marked by a tension between its historically rootedstruggle for recognition within Canada and the new social

reality of mass migration into Quebec.

Dual paradigm of rootedness and encounter


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Guiding Metaphors

Multiculturalism:

model of cultural diversity management

mosaic

Interculturalism:

model of integration

adoption


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Interculturalism Enacted: The Ethics and

Religious Culture Program


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Establishment of the Ethics and

Religious Culture Program (ERC)

The Ministry describes this program as one wherestudents will analyze common and specific aspectsof different religious traditions (e.g. symbolism,

beliefs, teachings, modes of organization, etc) basedon the realities of Quebec society and societiesaround the world. They will learn to recognize that as

well as secular presentations, religions propose viewsof life that, although different, are worthy of respect

and give meaning to existence, suffering and death.(2005)


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Ethics and Religious Culture

Program3 Core Competencies:

Ethical Reflection

Knowledge of ReligiousCulture

Capacity for Dialogue


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Ethics & Religious Culture

(ERC)The ethics competency requires students to learn todeliberate about ethical questions, to structure theirarguments coherently, and to clarify theirdisagreements or differences through interaction

with others

(MELS, 2008).


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Dialogue in Culturally

Diverse Contexts


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Dialogue - Definition

A discussion between two or more people

or groups, especially one directed towardsan exploration of a particular subject orresolution of a problem.

No definitive end. A process

Oxford Dictionary


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Dialogue is shared exploration towardsgreater understanding, connection, or

possibility.

Tom Atley


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Discussion Q

What is the role of dialogue, particularlysurrounding issues of diversity?


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Dialogue & Democracy

Dialogue and deliberation are particularly valuable

forms of communication.

They enable social relationships in which people canparticipate in making the decisions that affect their livesthe experience of being in dialogue and deliberation is a

powerful impetus to personal and social evolution.


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Fostering Cultural Diversity

Cultural diversity a crucial, though often

unacknowledged, reality of the Canadian nationalidentity.

Fostering diversity is consistent with some of ourmost enduring national ideals.


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Dialogue in Classrooms:

why? The uniqueness of classrooms is that, ideally,

they provide a public space in which marginalizedand silenced voices can respond to ignorant

expressions rooted in privilege, white supremacyor other dominant ideologies. Unlike many publicspaces in which one may encounter hate speech -say, on a street or in a mall - the classroom is oneof the few spaces in which one can respond and

be heard.

Megan Boler, 2004


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3 Challenges (for teachers) To PromotingDialogue in The Classroom:

A basic lack of knowledge about the diverse peoples

and lifestyles that have always been a part of the

North American experience.

Inherited prejudices and stereotypes, many of whichare unacknowledged and/or unknown.

Deep seated feelings of guilt, anger, frustration and

anxiety which are stirred by discussion of diversityissues.

IC in QC - Spring 13

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