May 15, 2006

Dear Participant,

We are very happy to hear that you will be joining us in Santa Barbara during the summer for the 2007 Study of the United States Institute on Religious Pluralism.

With this letter we hope to answer some of the initial questions you may have and to help you prepare in advance for your stay in the United States. Upon your arrival, you will be distributed a comprehensive orientation package that will help you steer comfortably through all academic and practical details related to your visit in the United States. In the meantime, we encourage you to review the program details and frequent updates on the Institute website, http://www.religion.ucsb.edu/projects/summerinstitute .

ORGANIZERS: The Study of the U.S. Institute has been funded by a grant from the Study of the United States Branch of the U. S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The principal organizer of the Institute on Religious Pluralism is the Department of Religious Studies at University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). The Department of Religious Studies at UCSB is one of the major centers in North America for the study of religions and currently is ranked number two in the nation. It has strong faculty and resources and typically is involved in teaching up to 2,000 undergraduates and some 75 graduate students each quarter.

OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE INSTITUTE:
Religion in the United States is, among other things, extraordinarily diverse and complex. There are over 2000 organized religious bodies originating from all the great world religious traditions, plus some religious and spiritual movements that are distinctly American. No matter what their origin, all religious groups are pressured to adapt to a pluralist order that requires, more or less, acceptance of one another despite tensions. The Study of the United States Institute at Santa Barbara looks at this religious situation by focusing upon the theme of ‘Pluralism and Public Presence’. In the American context, religious pluralism refers to the long-standing pattern of religious diversity. By "public presence" we call attention to religion's role and influence in society, as religious communities in our democracy espouse public visions and compete with one another in trying to exercise influence over moral and civic agendas.

Our program, unlike Theology, treats the study of Religion as a discipline. Religious Studies is a relatively new academic enterprise, dating largely from the 1960s when it broke away from theology and established itself as a descriptive, analytic mode of inquiry. Hence the Summer Institute will focus on Religion as it is ‘on the ground’ as opposed to what it ‘ought to be’. Considering that you and your fellow institute participants have very diverse backgrounds in your approaches to religion, we shall strive to arrive at a mode of discourse for analyzing religion in its social and political context without making normative judgments. The Religious topics that will be considered include the following:

· History of religion and religions in the USA, their many sources and cultural influences
· Demography and sociology of religion in the USA
· Gender, region, race, and ethnic patterns
· Religion and domestic politics
· Los Angeles: A case study in ethnic and religious pluralism
· Faith-based initiatives-A changing public face for religion?
· Religion, journalists, and the media
· Religion and film
· Curriculum development
· Study visits to Salt Lake City (Utah), Atlanta (Georgia), and Washington, DC

LIVING, STYDYING, AND TRAVELING TOGETHER: WHAT TO EXPECT

ACCOMMODATION: In Santa Barbara, you will be staying in UCSB owned dormitory style apartments in Manzanita Village; located on campus. In the Pendola Building, each participant will have an individual dormitory room equipped with bed, linens, desk and bookshelves. The linens are changed once per week. In addition, there is a large community room equipped with computers, telephone, and cable TV. There is also a smaller study room available that will be equipped with two computers and an additional telephone line. The dormitory rooms do not have private baths attached. However, there are a total of eleven restroom/showers spread out amongst the four floors. This works out to less than 2 people per restroom/shower. You will probably want to bring some toiletries along, as there will be no soap, shampoo, etc. provided in the rooms and these items tend to be rather expensive in the U.S. There are only three telephones at your residence (you will be provided with the phone numbers), all located in common areas. You can receive calls or call out using an international calling card.
There is only one small kitchen in the community lounge that can be used for making tea/coffee and light snacks, but is too small to prepare regular meals. Therefore, upon arrival, you will be provided with a meal ticket at the campus dining hall. There are two dining halls and, although sometimes one may be closed, both are generally open. The dining hall has a wide variety of food items, both hot and cold. Your meal ticket will give you access to breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but at specified times (the office at your residence will provide you with a meal calendar). In addition, there are a wide variety of eateries on and near campus that cater to student lifestyles, which makes getting a bite to eat fast and inexpensive.

WEATHER: Temperatures in Santa Barbara are pleasant nearly year round. Expect temperatures ranging between 16 and 21 degrees Celsius during the day and between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius at night. However, evenings can be quite cool. Temperatures in Salt Lake City and especially in Atlanta and Washington, DC, will be rather hot and humid. You will want to make sure that you have clothing that "breathes" and dries easily, particularly since we will be moving back and forth between air-conditioned rooms and the hot and humid outside environment.

DRESS AND PROTOCOL: Santa Barbara attire is casual. A sweater or jacket is recommended for cooler summer evenings. More formal clothing is appropriate for some restaurants and nightspots, but the atmosphere is generally informal, and comfortable sportswear is usually appropriate. Light dresses, shirts and blouses with short sleeves and light skirts and trousers (or short pants) certainly are appropriate for regular classroom days. You may wish to bring one or two formal outfits for special events and site visits (which will include visits to places of worship).

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES: The United States relies on alternating current, 60 cycles, 110 volts. If you bring electrical equipment (such as hairdryer, shaver, computer), be sure it is compatible or bring an adapter.

EXPENSES: The Study of the U.S. Institute will pay for your housing in Santa Barbara as well as hotel rooms and travel expenses in Salt Lake City, Atlanta, and Washington D. C. Upon your arrival, you will receive a stipend check intended to cover meals on the study tour and incidentals as well as a cultural allowance for buying books or entertainment. Upon no circumstances will we be able to issue additional money, so please plan your expenses wisely.

The money for expenses will be disbursed in two payments: upon your arrival and prior to departing Santa Barbara for the study tour.

If you wish to use hotel room telephones, pay television, or other personal amenities during the group travel to Utah, Georgia, and Washington, you will need to bring a credit card with you to guarantee your expenses. The Institute will pay ONLY for the cost of your accommodation.

SHIPPING BOOKS HOME: The Institute will cover postage costs to mail your books home. However, since each country has different shipping methods/reliability, some countries will be more affordable and safe than others. You may choose, instead, to use your mailing allowance to pay additional baggage fees to take the books back on the plane with you. Our assistant coordinator will be able to assist you with your personal mailing needs.

SECURITY: Many have described UCSB as a "paradise" for its natural beauty and beachside setting. Statistics show that in comparison to other large urban college campuses, UCSB is a relatively safe environment. Nonetheless, individuals in our community still must take personal responsibility for their own safety by being aware and alert. The UCSB/Isla Vista neighborhood generally is very safe, even at night, although some people prefer to walk in groups of at least two.

TRANSPORTATION: We will provide transportation to all program events. We will also try to arrange some time for shopping. However, please be prepared to make your own arrangements for shopping transportation. There is a bus that departs for downtown from UCSB several times throughout the day. The fare is $1.25 per day. The front office at your residence can assist you with the bus schedule and other issues.

LIBRARY AND COMPUTERS: Upon your arrival, you will be provided with a Visiting Scholar's library card and will have full access to the library and computer facilities at the university. You will receive a campus tour as well as a library tour which will include instructions on how and where to access the computer labs. Also, as mentioned previously, you will have access to the internet in your community lounge and study room at the dormitory.

HEALTH CARE: In order to take full advantage of your stay in the United States, you should be in excellent health. If you are using any medication on a daily basis we advise you to check with your doctor prior to your departure and purchase any medicine you may need during your stay in the United States. Please bring adequate supply of any prescription medicine you may need, and take them along with you as a carry-on luggage in the airplane in case your luggage is delayed. You must have a current written prescription IN ENGLISH for any unusual or controlled drugs you may require. If you use contact lenses or glasses, please make sure to bring an extra pair.

INSURANCE: Upon your arrival, you will be issued a health insurance card by the U.S. Department of State that will be valid during your stay in Santa Barbara. The insurance covers all accidents, illnesses and emergencies. Pre-existing conditions are not covered by the insurance plan.

TRAVEL: Due to additional security measures that have been implemented, you can expect to be fingerprinted and photographed upon your arrival in the United States. You should carry this letter with you during your travel should there be any question about your visit to the U. S.

AIRPORT ARRIVAL: Most of you will be arriving in Santa Barbara on Saturday, June 23rd. The Santa Barbara airport is very small and quite close to the Pendola Apartments where you will be staying. You will need to call the UCSB Shuttle services at 893-6161 (note: you will need at least 50 cents to make the call or any airport official can assist you as well). The shuttle usually takes ten minutes to arrive. For delays or emergencies, you can call Holly Grether at: (805) 708-7207 or Brian Clearwater at (805) 284-5003.

You should pack at least one outfit and a few toiletries in your carry on luggage, as check-through baggage often gets delayed on international flights and you may have to wait a day or two for your things to arrive. Also, expect long delays (up to three hours) at your initial port of entry into the United States due to increased security measures. We have enclosed a letter confirming your participation in the Study of the U.S. Institute on Religious Pluralism, which you should use (along with this letter) in the event that immigration or customs officials seek additional documentation about your stay in the United States. If there are any complications at your airport of entry into the United States or at the Santa Barbara airport, we ask that you call the Religious Studies office at (805) 893-2557 or Holly Grether at (805) 453-9233. To make a phone call from the Santa Barbara airport you will need 50 cents, but from another city it may cost about $3.00 to call.

YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION WHILE IN THE UNITED STATES:
IS LISTED ON THE TRAVEL PAGE.

DEPARTURE DATE: You will be leaving Santa Barbara on July 25th for Salt Lake City, Atlanta and Washington, DC. On August 6th, you will be returning to your home country from Washington, DC. If any of you are planning to stay in the United States longer than August 6th, you will be responsible for arranging your own accommodations. Please keep this in mind as you make your travel arrangements.

We will be in regular e-mail contact with you before, during and after the program. If you have any questions regarding the program, please feel free to contact us before hand at via e-mail, phone, or fax. The entire staff of the Institute and I look forward very much to meeting your and working with you at UCSB. We hope the upcoming six weeks will prove to be just the beginning of long-lasting scholarly ties for both you and us.

With warm regards,

Wade Clark Roof
Professor, Department of Religious Studies
Academic Director, Study of the United States Institute on Religious Pluralism