O Canada: Identity Project

O Canada!

We have been discussing Canadian identity and now it is time for you to put your ideas into action.  You must choose one of the following assignments:

INDIVIDUAL

Paper: Define what it means to be “Canadian”.  Make sure that you include personal/family perspectives as well as more general statements.  You must include at least one quote in your paper from a Canadian political figure and one other quote.  Your paper should be two pages typed, double-spaced, 12pt font.

Flag: Design a new flag for Canada.  Include symbols that, in your mind, represent what the country is all about.  Your colours should also be related in some way to what you think best represents Canada.  Write a paragraph that explains the symbolism and colour used on your flag.

PARTNER

Anthem: Write a new national anthem for Canada that you feel reflects what Canadians care about and see as being distinctly “Canadian”.  You may use the tune of an existing song as your guide, but the rest should be original and unique.  Your anthem should be a minimum of five stanzas; you must submit lyrics and a paragraph that explains the symbolism, imagery, and meaning behind your lyrics.  You will be asked to perform your anthem for the class (with or without musical accompaniment)!  Your performance can be live or previously recorded.

Eh-Zed: Create an A-Z glossary of our Canadian identity and culture - a sort of ‘manual’ or handbook of Canadiana.   You will need to consider what is representative of Canadian culture, as you understand it, and think about why each of your choices is distinctly “Canadian”.

Choose an item, person, symbol, etc. for each letter of the alphabet that you feel represents Canadian identity. For each selection, include an image and a rationale for your choice.  Your images may be of your own creation or from the Internet.  Try not to limit your findings to the obvious choices, include them, but delve deeper. You may include contemporary (modern) pop culture examples, but also consider historical things that have helped to define our national identity.  Although you are only required to have one thing for each letter, you may find more than one selection for each of your letters A-Z - use them!

Other?: I am open to any ideas you may have about alternate projects, so please see me if you’d like to pursue something else.