1. Objectifs

Intentions :
« This thesis looks at issues of ethnic retention among successive generations of Italian families living in Montreal. » (p. iv)

Questions/Hypothèses :
« Focus is placed on three fundamental questions : (a) How did the Italian community change through generations? (b) Are the young generations displaying signs of symbolic ethnicity? and (c) How can the ethnic identity of Italians in Montreal be defined in 2005? Drawing on Herbert Gans’ symbolic ethnicity approach, the initial hypothesis suggests that socio-economic upgrade spurs an ethnic consciousness founded on cultural symbols rather than on cultural values. » (p. iv)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
« Through ethnographic-based interviews, data was collected on 60 individuals grouped into 20 Italian families. » (p. iv)

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse de contenu

3. Résumé

« Based on in-depth intergenerational comparisons between grandparents, parents and youth, results seem to confirm that young Italians reflect a pattern of symbolic ethnicity. » (p. iv)
« This thesis is divided into four chapters. Chapter 1 presents definitions of key terms that will be used frequently, and then reviews the theoretical background related to the evolution of ethnic groups. Chapter 2 articulates the procedure employed to meet the objectives, and brings forward the analytical framework. Chapter 3 details the data collected from interviews and field observations. Chapter 4 contains my interpretation of the results, and attempts to answer the fundamental research questions. » (p. 3)