Interdisciplinary Approaches to Canadian Society: A Guide to the Literature

Derek Wilkinson is an associate professor of Sociology at Laurentian
University.

This is an edited collection (with an introduction by Wallace Clement)
that covers four main topic areas. Apart from content, the Canadian
aspect includes the fact that each area’s summary has both an English
and a French author. The book is oriented toward the Canadian-studies
community.

The chapter on labor studies (by Jacques Ferland, Gregory Kealey, and
Bryan Palmer) begins by defining labor studies and discussing how Canada
is different. International American unions, French-English conflict,
and a lack of unity are the distinguishing characteristics. They show
the partisan nature of working-class history during the Cold War. Since
then labor studies have become increasingly inter- and
multidisciplinary, but have continued to be political and engaged.

Guy Laperriere and William Westfall wrote the chapter on religious
studies. They claim that the overall trend to secularization that all
Western countries have experienced has been relatively constant in
Canada, and that, with this trend, the study of religion lost its
central place in Canadian academic life. Religious studies were left to
clerical institutions. The authors cite numerous references in both
English and French. Topics most recently associated in studies with
religion include Canadian culture and identity, feminism, and Native
cultures. Ten key books in each language are listed at the end of the
chapter.

Donald Avery and Bruno Ramirez wrote the chapter on immigration and
ethnic studies. They begin with a broad historical overview of Canadian
immigration and refugee policies. They then consider which organizations
and groups have been involved in supporting or funding ethnic and
multicultural studies. The authors point out that multiculturalism had a
more problematic reception in Quebec and that its character there has
been different. In general a main characteristic of ethnic studies in
Canada has been its fragmented character and its dependence on
government involvement.

There is a chapter on Native studies by John Price. He traces the
general history of relations with Natives in Canada and then the
long-term development of research, detailing who was involved at each
stage. The chapter finishes with a list of 100 books published by
pioneers in Native studies and the groups they studied.

A very short chapter by Richard Dominique discusses Amerindian studies
in Quebec. Unfortunately data are too often filtered through
governmental or other partisan organizations. Dominique points, however,
to a possible path for progress based on more university involvement.

Each section of this edited collection provides a wealth of Canadian
references. This book will be an important reference for researchers
seeking Canadian material on any of the chapter topics.