Ethics, Religion, and Civil Discourse

Discussion Topics Include:

· First Amendment Law and recent court cases dealing with religion in the schools

· Cutting edge research from the field of Religious Studies

· Ethical and philosophical issues arising in teaching about religion

· Curricular suggestions, learning activities, and capacity building

· Information about religious diversity in California’s Central Valley

Presentations by:

· Dr. Vincent Biondo, Professor of Religious Studies and Philosophy

· Dr. Andrew Fiala, Director of the Ethics Center and Professor of Philosophy

· Dr. Lori Clune, Professor of History and Social Science Credential Advisor

· Dr. Negin Tahvildary, Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno

· Rev. Natalie Chamberlain, Interfaith Alliance of Central California

Inviting K-12, public school educators to participate in a workshop focused on legal, ethical, and pedagogical issues that arise in the context of teaching about religion in the public schools. Participants will share their own experiences, challenges, and approaches. They will create a teaching project or curricular innovation that can be disseminated on the project website. They will be invited to a follow up meeting to present the results of their teaching project.

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In October, 2011 Drs. Fiala and Biondo welcomed 25 prominent scholars from across the U.S. to Fresno to share their research on civility and the Humanities in diverse American cities. For more information about our featured speakers Jedd Medefind, Amir Hussain, and Diane Moore, please click on their names. On Friday evening October 14, 2011, Bill Nericcio hosted a cultural event at Arte Americas alongside a Dia de los Muertos exhibit, including musical performances by Cerro Negro, a sample of Nericcio's "Mextasy" artwork, and featuring a text performance with guitar by Emmy award-winning writer Rubén Martínez.

Jedd Medefind (Oct. 13, 7-8pm) is President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans. He is an author of Four Souls (Thomas Nelson, 2001) and he served in the White House as Director of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives for President George W. Bush.

Amir Hussain (Oct. 14, 9-10am) teaches Theology at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. He is the author of Oil & Water (CopperHouse, 2006) and is the first Muslim editor of one of the most prestigious Religious Studies Journals in the U.S. (JAAR).

Diane Moore (Oct. 14, 1:30-2:30pm) is the author of Overcoming Religious Illiteracy (Palgrave, 2007). She directs the Religious Literacy Project for Teachers at Harvard University.

Bill Nericcio (Oct. 14, 2:30-4:30pm panelist and host of the cultural evening at Arte Americas) is a graphic designer and artist. He is the author of Tex{t}-Mex (University of Texas, 2007) and is the first Chicano Chair of the English Department at San Diego State University.

Rubén Martínez (Oct. 14, 7:30-8:30pm at Arte Americas) is an Emmy award-winning writer and performer. He is the author of The New Americans (New Press, 2004) and he hosted "When Worlds Collide" for PBS.

The aim of this project is to understand and promote civil discourse about increased religious diversity in California’s Central Valley. This project will advance understanding about ethical and religious topics in a non-partisan and non-sectarian manner while highlighting the ways that regionally significant authors and scholars of the humanities have dealt with questions of diversity and pluralism. The project will build a new institutional network among California Universities, develop a new curriculum for schools, and provide outreach to religious and civic organizations interested in promoting civil discourse to prevent violent conflict.

A Humanities Initiative from the National Endowment for the Humanities

"NEH is an independent grant-making agency of the United States government dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities."