Day 24 (July 16): The Growing Public Presence of Latinos and Muslims

a)Morning Session - Latino Catholics and Protestants

Almost half of the population in Los Angeles is Latino of one ethnic background or another, and either Catholic or Protestant. To understand the religious scene in this city, one must look at this diverse set of subcultures. The session will examine the demographics and pluralist cultures, the mix of ethnic and religiously based identities, and the challenges Latinos face in forging a public voice. The speaker will present the latest findings from a national study, with a segment on southern pm Hispanic churches in southern and their public involvement. Lecture, visual projections of survey data, discussion.

Speaker:

Dr. Gaston Espinosa, Project Director, Hispanic Churches and American Public Life Project, funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts

Assigned Reading:

Ana Maria Diaz-Stevens, "Latino Traditions," Reader

Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo, "The Latino Religious Resurgence,"The Annals

b)Afternoon Session - Muslims

The afternoon session will look at Muslims in southern California, which has the largest concentration of Muslims anywhere in the U.S. Attention will be given to the ethnic diversity of the population and ideologies of assimilation within the U.S. The events of September 11, 2001 have forced upon the Muslim communities the necessity of articulating an identity that is at once American and Islamic. Aside from looking at this emerging public posture from within the Muslim community, the session will also report on the outreach activities of the Center for Middle East Studies at UCSB in providing information to public schools and advancing good community relations for Muslims. Lecture, discussion, and distribution of educational materials from the Middle East Studies Center at UCSB.

Speaker:

Dr. Juan Campo, Professor of Religious Studies and affiliate of the Middle East Studies Center

Assigned Readings:

Mustansir Mir, "Islam," Reader

Jane I. Smith, Islam in America

Raymond Brady Williams, "Asian Indian and Pakistani Religionsin the United States," The Annals