When Cultures Clash: Case Studies in Multiculturalism

Multiculturalism is a relatively new discipline and is now recognized as a pertinent field of study by colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada. This completely reorganized and rewritten second edition looks at the development of multiculturalism, outlines its theoretical base and illustrates its more practical applications in the area of multicultural education. The case studies presented in this edition comprise ethnically-grounded examples set in an educational context, i.e., they show how five distinct ethnic communities have tried to deal with the challenge of cultural maintenance through the medium of schooling. The case studies include the so-called "charter nations of Canada" (French and English peoples), two Anabaptist groups (Hutterites and Mennonites), a specific Chinese community and the Sikh people in Canada. While each group has revealed a slightly varied approach to the challenge, there is consensus on the idea that the school is a principle vehicle for ensuring cultural identity and perpetuity.