Chapter One Blog Entry

Chapter Reflection:

1) In this chapter I learned that there are different understandings of the concept of 'Nation'. This means that there is ethnic understanding (Pakistani, Asian, etc.), cultural understanding (Egyptian, Roman, etc.), political understanding (Liberal, Conservative, etc.), and spiritual understanding (Christian, Muslim, Jewish, etc.) of a nation.

2) I found it really interesting that nation and country (aka nation-state) are two different things. All my life I had considered the two terms being synonyms to one another. However, now I know that nation is defined by: "A group of people who hold the same beliefs/traits as other people. Also, physical borders are not necessary for a nation." Moving on, a country is defined as: "A sovereign area in the world. Furthermore, a country requires physical borders."

3) I can connect what I have learned in class to my last semester's English class because in that class we talked a somewhat about identity, and we also read a story where a person thought that he belonged to no nation at all, and this lead to him committing suicide. He did this because he felt alone and different.

4) What surprised me this unit was that there are actually some people who argue that Canada is not a nation. For example Charles Hanley who said that since Canada has no object they share, Canada is not a nation.

5) One concept that I am still having difficulty with is nothing – my teacher has done a great job on explaining everything and I don’t seem to be having difficulty with a particular concept at this time!

6) One question I still have is regarding Linguistic Understandings of Nation. I want to that: Does a same language really help create a common perspective? And can it really give people a sense of nation?

7) One skill or learning strategy I found helpful was the "Analyzing Relationships" sheet because I found that I made it easier for me to understand the different types of relationships better. Also, it has a list of different types of relationships that might occur in the sources, I found this really helpful. If I was to teach someone how to use this, I would tell them to first take out this sheet and your sources. Then, read over the sources carefully, and look for any similarities. Next once you find a similarity between the sources look at your "Analyzing Relationships" sheet and find the type of relationship and look at the types of words you can use. Finally, keep doing the previous step for all the relationships and write them down a separate piece of paper. This will help them learn how to interpret sources better when the need to find relationships between them.

Nationalism and Personal Identity:

 

1) Revisit the List of 10 events that contribute your nationalism and identity. Create a visual to represent the relative significance as a percent of each of the three sources (national, state or non-national) of your identity. This can be a pie graph (use excel) or something else a bit more creative. 

2) Below, provide a brief description of why you believe this to be the case. Why do you think your identity has such a mix? 

Answer: My graphs look like above because that is how my identity is, that’s where my pride is focused on. My graphs show that I am mainly influenced by non-national focus because I am more about me, my personal preference. National focus comes in second place because I take pride in my ethnic background. Also, state focus is the last factor since like I said before, I am more about me, which includes my ethnic background (national focus). Also, for state focus I take pride in what Canada accomplishes in science or politically wise.

 

Canada as a Nation:

1) Based on what you have learned, do you think that Canada is a nation? Defend your answer. 

Answer:Yes, Canada is a nation, a great one if I may add. Canada is not a Linguistic nation, Ethnic nation, Cultural nation, religious nation, geographic nation, nor a political nation. However, Canada is a Civic nation. Civic nation doesn't require one religion, one language, ethnicity, or culture. All that is required for a civic nation is the agreement to abide by shared laws. This brings us to Charter of Rights and Freedom, something every Canadian agrees to. 

2) Canada is considered a civic nation. If you were to create a new Coat of Arms for Canada, based on this concept, what 5 symbols would be included? (Hint: what connects members of a civic nation?) Find 4 symbols and post them. Each must include a description of how this connects Canada.

Answer: If I were to create a new Coat of Arms for Canada, the five symbols I would include would be: the maple leaf, snowflake, hockey puck, lacrosse stick, and a beaver. The reason I would choose these symbols is based solely on the fact that these are the first things that come to my mind; and I am sure these symbols would to mind first for all other Canadians.

Following are the images of 4 symbols:

I would include a maple leaf. The maple leaf goes back all the way to the very beginnings of Canadian history. The maple leaf began to serve as a Canadian symbol as early as 1700. Also, the maple leaf is located on the Canadian flag. Everyone in Canada knows that the maple leaf is one of our symbol.

I would include a hockey puck.  The hockey puck symbolizes hockey. Ice hockey was invented in Canada. Therefore, this makes us very proud. Hockey is the official winter sport of Canda. All Canadians have tried hockey at one point in their live, and most of them love the sport. Also, hockey is a  sport that has been played in Canada for a really long time. Furthermore, Canada has really good sport teams. Finally, Hockey is a sport that identifies us Canadians.

 

I would also include a beaver. The main attraction for early European explorers was the beaver population, which was in millions! They used the beavers for fur trade. The beaver is the part of Canadian history. Also, there is a picture of a beaver on the Canadian nickel. Furthermore, whenever I see a beaver I think back to the Hudson Bay Company, and thus Canada.

 

 I would also include a snowflake on the coat of arms. The snowflake represents snow. Ask anyone in the world what they think of Canda and they will tell you: "A really cold place". Many people in other countries believe that Canada is all about snow. Ask anyone in another country of Canada and they will think of a place that is full of snow. For example, when  my dad was in Pakistan he imagined Canda as a really cold place, so he actually brought winter clothes including really thick jackets from Pakistan (specially ordered). 

Following is the image of the completed coat of arms:
(Made using Adobe Illustrator)

* The motto 'Hock gentis nostae', which is in Latin stands for: 'This is our nation'.

 

Nationalism in the Media:

1) Find one current events article/news story that relates to nationalism. Remember: there are many understandings of nation (ethnic, civic, linguistic etc.) Provide a link to this on your blog with a description of how it connects to what you have learned. You must clearly connect it to terms and concepts you have learned.

Answer: As of now Greece is going through riots because the people dont like the way the government is running things.The country is suffering deeply and the people belive that it's the governments fault. In this case everyone who is against the goverment creates a nation because they all have a common goal which is to replace the government of the nation-state. This event is a example of nationalism because the people are only rioting because they care for their country and want to see it as a great country.

Link for article: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/riots-over-greece-spending-cuts/story-fn7x8me2-1226268406385