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JOURNALS
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| In answering the following questions, always ask yourself or imagine someone (like me) asking you after you provide an answer to a question: "...but why?" This should assist you in getting to underlying ideas, principles, values, etc... from where you draw your thoughts and feelings on the issues. Remember to review the section in the syllabus discussing the journal submissions. | |
| Journal #1- freedom of the press | |
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1. How important is freedom of the press to you? Freedom of speech, thought and expression? 2. How important is freedom of press to democracy in a society in your opinion? 3. How would you increase and protect freedom of the press? Maybe you do not think it should be increased or protected so provide your thoughts either way. 4. Are you willing to give up some of your freedoms of thought, expression, speech, in order to "feel more safe"? Explain. Consider the changes in legislation in Canada which mirrors the US Patriot Act, where authorities have increased powers to undertake their work which organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and Canadian Civil Liberties Union protest. |
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| Journal #2 - social class | |
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1. Using the social class characteristics outlined in class (or refer to my webpage, scroll down to class relations, and then click on class characteristics link), describe in DETAIL your social class background while growing up. Then identify what social class you/your family falls in in terms of the social class categories as discussed in class. 2. Reflection: After this description comment on/reflect upon what opportunities you did or did not have because of the social class you found yourself in. Also reflect on your first memories of social class and that your family’s social class may have been different from others? 3. Then project into the future: what do you hope will be your social class and what can you realistically expect your social class to be, explain, i.e. idealistically and realistically describe your future social class. (For students older, those already having established families themselves, describe your social class growing up and then compare it to your social class today) |
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| Journal #3 - labour/union issues | |
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1) Describe in detail your direct and/or indirect personal experience and/or exposure to labour/union issues either through family, friends, work, school, media, etc… 2) From the discussions in class and from Q1) what are your thoughts on labour and unions– do you think it is good for society, necessary or not? 3) Considering your current employment, and/or future employment/career, would you want to be part of a union or not, and why/why not. |
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| Journal #4 - Gender | |
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Part 1: How gendered was your upbringing? Describe in DETAIL your upbringing in terms of gender. Consider and discuss all socialization factors, e.g. family, friends, school (teachers and classmates), work colleagues, religion, and mass media in particular. Consider and discuss many aspects of your life from toys, sports, chores assigned, clothing, leisure activities, jobs, career and study choices, activities with either/both parents, relationship interests/attractions, etc... Reflect on what this tells you about yourself and you who are, and on what opportunities you did/did not have. Part 2: Do you see yourself in terms of your gender represented in the mass media (consider all forms of mass media: radio, tv, newspapers, magazines and film)? If yes how are you represented and what is missing in terms of representations of your gender in your opinion? If no, how are you not represented and what is represented in your opinion? In either case, how do you feel about this? |
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| Journal #5 - race & ethnicity - note due March 16th, not 9th | |
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Part 1 When you say "I am a Canadian", what does this mean to you? What does it mean to be ______________ (fill in your race, e.g. White)? What does it mean to be ______________ (fill in your ethnicity, e.g. Irish, German)? Remember to consider all aspects of your life - from your life as a student to worker to family to leisure to media, etc... And consider all of your life not just now. Part 2 Reflect on this idea of white privilege (will explore this fully during class of March 9th). How do you see white privilege being manifested in all aspects of your life, work, school, friends, family, media, etc.. If you are white, how do you FEEL about your being complicit (knowingly or not, consciously or not, wanting to or not, all these years of your life) in white privilege? How have you benefited from this and how have you been hurt by this. Part 3 What has formed your perceptions of Aboriginal People in Canada? Describe your experiences, direct or indirect, with First Nations Peoples. If you have had a lack of such experiences, then explore why. Reflect on this – what does this tell you about yourself, your family, your community, Canadian society? |
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| Journal #6 | |
