Book excerpt: Race and Ethnicity in Canada: A Critical Introduction is a core text for both one-semester and full-year sociology-of-work courses, either alone or in combination with other materials. The aim of this book is to help students analyze and understand some of the complex patterns of immigration,aboriginal/non-aboriginal relations and of race and ethnic relations in Canada. In doing so, it deals with major approaches to, and explanations of, a number of issues that are central to the field. The authors adopt a position of methodological and theoretical pluralism in order to encouragestudents to think critically about these issues.The text begins with a discussion of central concepts and theories in the field of race and ethnic relations. Chapter 2 provides historical context for understanding contemporary patterns of immigration, French-English relations, race and ethnic relations and Aboriginal/non-Aboriginal relations.Chapter 3 discusses issues associated with the contemporary immigration system. Chapter 4 looks at economic inequality among immigrants, non-immigrants and racial and ethnic groups. Chapter 5 examines issues of ethnic identity and multiculturalism. Chapter 6 outlines various definitions of racism,and evaluates a number of sociological explanations for racism. Chapter 7 turns to contemporary Aboriginal/non-Aboriginal relations. Finally, Chapter 8 explains and critiques two new approaches to the study of immigration and ethnic relations: the concepts of 'diaspora' and'transnationality.'