Our summer two-week institute (July 9-20, 2018) seeks to provide the tools K-12 educators need to teach about religious diversity in a manner that draws attention not only to differences that distinguish religious traditions from one another, but also commonalities that give us a deeper appreciation for shared ethical norms and values. In order to foster a diverse and inclusive environment, it is important to understand the ways in which humans express themselves religiously. By learning about the teachings and history of religions as living traditions, we come to appreciate what religions teach and how those teachings are reflected in the lives of those who affiliate with any given religion, and we come to recognize the complicated relationship between culture and religion. Exploring varieties of religious traditions with an eye toward the lived experience will be a catalyst for encouraging civic engagement and bridge building within local and global communities.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this website, or in the Religious Landscapes of LA institute, do not necessarily reflect those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.