The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

Religious Pluralism in North America

The Pluralism Project, Harvard University
Toronto, November 22, 2002
Metro Toronto Convention Center Room 716-B

Schedule of Discussions

1:00 - 2:30
First Discussion Session:
The State of Research on Religious Diversity - U.S. and Canada

• Diana Eck, Harvard University: Opening remarks and update on the Pluralism Project and Critical Issues in the U.S.

• Grove Harris, Harvard University: Pluralism Project Pragmatics, including Online Databases and Outreach

• Paul Bramadat, University of Winnipeg: Religion and Ethnicity in Canada

• David Seljak, St. Jerome's University: Religion and Ethnicity in Canada

• Sulayman S. Nyang, Howard University: Muslims in the American Public Square

• Zahid Bukhari, Georgetown University: Muslims in the American Public Square

Discussants:

• Sheila McDonough, Concordia University: Islam, Christian Muslim Dialogue

• Jamie Scott, York University: Editor, The Religions of Canadians; and Religion and Postcolonial Literatures

• Wahida Valiante, Vice-President of the Canadian Islamic Congress

• Walid Saleh, University of Toronto: Islamic Studies

• Patrice Brodeur, Connecticut College: Québec Perspective on Multiculturalism in Canada

• Carol B. Duncan, Wilfrid Laurier University: Religion and Culture of the African Diaspora in Toronto

 
2:30 - 3:00

Break with refreshments and continuing informal conversation.

• Mark MacWilliams, St. Lawrence University: GIS mapping display

 
3:00 - 4:30
Second Discussion Session:
Teaching in and Through the Context of Religious Pluralism

• Stuart Chandler, Indiana University of Pennsylvania: "Experiencing Religious Diversity: The Pluralism Project as a Pedagogical Resource"

• Patrice Brodeur, Connecticut College: The Pluralism Project at Connecticut College

• Rita Lester, Nebraska Wesleyan University: Changing Religious Landscape of Lincoln, NE

• Yudit Kornberg Greenberg, Rollins College: Religious Life in Orlando, Florida

• Eboo Patel, Associated Colleges of the Midwest: Interfaith Youth Core

Discussants:

• Karen Penchilis Prentiss, Drew University: Historical Religions New to the American Context in Northern and Central New Jersey

• Jack Hawley, Barnard College: Hinduism in New York and a new course, "Hinduism Here"

 
4:30 - 5:15

Break with light supper and continuing informal conversation.

 
5:15 - 7:00
Third Discussion Session:
New Research on Religious Communities

• Janet McLellan, Wilfrid Laurier University: Buddhist Communities in Toronto

• Corrie Norman, Converse College: Gender, Food, and Meaning: Mapping Religious Diversity in Charlotte, NC

• Updates on Research on Hindu Communities:
Vasudha Narayanan, University of Florida, Gainesville; Arti Dhand, University of Toronto; Allen Richardson, Cedar Crest College; Vivodh Anand, Indo-American Cultural Society

• Claude Jacobs, Bill McNeece, The University of Michigan—Dearborn: Mapping the Religious Landscape of Detroit, Michigan

• Elijah Siegler, University of California, Santa Barbara: History and Practice of Daoism in North America

Discussants:

• Paul Numrich, Loyola University: Religion, Immigration and Civil Society in Chicago Project and other research

• Pamela Klassen, University of Toronto: Religion and Biomedicine

• Linda Barnes, Boston Medical Center, The Boston Healing Landscape Project

• Michael Lanphier, York University: "The Role of Religion and Religious Institutions in the Lives of Elderly Newcomers"

• Yifa, Hsi Lai University: Safeguarding the Heart: A Buddhist Response to Suffering and September 11

 
7:00 - 8:30
Fourth Discussion Session:
Concluding Discussions, Networking