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Understanding Nationalism and Citizenship. Exploring complex and abstract social constructs. Working definitions. Nationalism: a way of thinking or style of thought through which individuals identity themselves as members of a nation
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Understanding Nationalism and Citizenship Exploring complex and abstract social constructs
Working definitions • Nationalism: a way of thinking or style of thought through which individuals identity themselves as members of a nation • Citizenship: condition of being vested with the rights, duties and responsibilities as a member of a state or union.
“I am Canadian!” • How do you conceptualize your own identity as a Canadian citizen?
Tell me about Canada… • Population: 32 800 000 • Total Area: 9 984 670 sq km • Location: Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the north, north of the United States
Oh there’s more…. • National capital : Ottawa • System of government: confederation with parliamentary democracy • Confederation: July 1, 1867
And more… • Constitution: - The Constitution Act of March 29, 1867: created a federation of four provinces - The Constitution Act of April 17 1982: transferred formal control over the constitution from Britain to Canada, and added a Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as procedures for constitutional amendments
And more… • Legal System: Based on English common law, except in Quebec where a civil law system based on French traditions prevails
It continues… • System of Government: - Age of suffrage = 18 (universal) - Executive Branch: - Chief of state: Queen Elizabeth II represented by Governor General Michaelle Jean - Head of government: Prime Minister Stephen Harper
More on Canadian government • Legislative Branch: - Bicameral parliament consisting of the Senate and the House of Commons - Senators are appointed by the prime minister and serve until reaching 75 years of age. (Normal limit is 105 senators) - There are 308 seats in the House of Commons and members are elected by popular vote to serve for up to 5 year terms
Yet more on the Canadian government - Judicial Branch: - Supreme Court of Canada (judges are appointed by the prime minister through the governor general); Federal Court of Canada; Federal Court of Appeal; Provincial Courts (Court of Appeal, Court of Queens Bench, Superior Court, Supreme Court, and Court of Justice)
So what’s my role? • Clearly Canada is a rich and vibrant nation • We conceptualize ourselves as Canadian citizens through a sense of nationalism • What responsibilities and obligations do we hold as citizens of this country?