To: Junior Students at Columbia University
From: Alfred Stepan and Mark Taylor, Co-Directors of the Institute for Religion, Culture and Public Life
Re: Applications for Undergraduate Research Assistantships

The newly established Institute for Religion, Culture and Public Life is developing a broad range of programs to promote a better understanding of the complexities and problems involving religion in contemporary society (a brief statement of the Institute's mission is below).

Recently, the Institute has announced opportunities for juniors interested in conducting research projects with faculty in the broader areas of the role of religion and culture in public life.

The Institute is soliciting applications for Summer Research Assistantships from juniors interested in conducting research projects with faculty who could possibly direct the writing of the students’ senior thesis. Successful proposals will entail a summer research grant of $ 5,000 to allow students to conduct research on their proposal during the summer of 2008.

The Institute is also soliciting applications for positions as research assistants for the academic year 2008-2009 to faculty involved in the Institute's projects.

Four students will be selected to assist faculty members with research relevant to their project as well as with some logistical arrangements related to running the Institute related lectures and seminars.

Preference will be given to students who are writing senior essays with faculty members who agree to serve as advisors for these projects A student could apply for both the Summer Research Assistantship and the regular Research Assistantship. Ideally, research projects will advance both students’ senior thesis and the research interests of the faculty and the Institute.

**Students planning to apply should contact the faculty coordinator, Karen Barkey, kb7@columbia.edu, who will describe the various research projects and provide the student with an initial application form. The application deadline is March 14.

THE INSTITUTE'S MISSION:
The resurgence of religion and, with it, religious and cultural intolerance and conflict are emerging as powerful forces in the new century. In order to address this unexpected and rapidly changing situation, the Institute for Religion, Culture and Public Life will bring together scholars and students in religion, cultural anthropology, history, political science, economics, social psychology and other allied fields to sustain multi-disciplinary analysis, reflection and response to historical and contemporary issues that are of great significance. The Institute will also engage political and economic figures and policy practitioners, as well as religious and cultural leaders, in its programs. The scope of the Institute will encompass a broad range of phenomena, but will also focus on questions relating to the role of difference, identity, and practice within larger national and international contexts. While seeking to understand the bases of conflict and unrest, it will examine traditions, practices and historical examples that demonstrate the potential for understanding, tolerance and ecumenical values within religious traditions, as well as patterns of social institutions that may facilitate coexistence and mutual support. By taking an expansive rather than a restricted view of religious thought and practice, the Institute will recast the traditional opposition between the secular and the religious in ways that promote innovative approaches to familiar problems.

Additional information about the Institute's programs and an updated calendar of activities will soon be available on its Web site.