The ethnic, racial, and religious seeds of America’s identity are sown in its present and its past. If the demographics of America's population continue their current pattern, people of color will constitute the majority of US citizens before the middle of this century, and Protestantism will become one of the nation's minority religions. This American Studies Center session will explore what these changes will mean for the future of American identity, values, governmental policies, and popular assumptions. Participants will seek to understand America's evolving multicultural society and the significant role that religion has played in shaping American social development.

Bringing together sociologists, journalists, and university teachers of American Studies, including historians and literary scholars, this session will examine the historical context of the ethnic, racial, and religious developments that have influenced contemporary American society. In addition, emphasis will also be placed on the literary perspective through an examination of twentieth century multicultural literature. The electronic component of the program will involve sessions in the Seminar's new computer laboratory, where participants will practice using the latest technology to support American Studies teaching and research.

We have received an unprecedented number of highly qualified applications to this workshop. Due to space limitations, however, we must unfortunately reject a large number of applicants who are clearly qualified to attend. We ask for your understanding.

For more information, please contact admissions@salzburgseminar.org.