I. DISCRIMINATION - not just by the color of skin but also based on cultural differences ''The true mark of a civilized society is the respect it pays to minorities and to strangers,'' the Prince of Wales told about 800 people at Al-Azhar.

II. MORMONS a. What to study about them? impact of modernization and secularization upon this subculture mormon involvement in politics mormon relationships with ethnic groups sex roles and the position of women the growth of Mormonism

b. What good can come from studying Mormons? Fear of the other. Knowledge will reduce fear c. Academics have been hesitant to study religion 1. unscientific topic 2. not a market for it; in academic journals or the religion itself 3. those who might be the most interested in the religion might have biases - really love it or really hate it. 4. Not easy to get access subcultures - academics who are already members may not want to alienate their friends and family.

d. Trends in Mormon scholarship 1.moving away from treating the belief system as pathological 2.movement toward a scientific method 3.Creation of institutes and journals (1970s) 4.Prior Focus: ecological; economic; family/fertility 5.New Focus: Modernization, Secularization and Accommodation; Public Image; Politics; Migration/conversion; Race relations; sex roles

e. Conclusion - Neglected areas: social stratification and the distribution of power parent-child relationships proselytizing conversion exportation of Mormonism defection secularization process: –singleness and divorce –erosion of patriarchy –delinquency and deviance

III. MUSLIMS a. The Muslim Question: West versus Islam b. How did these fears come about? international political disputes rise of politico-religious Islamic groups terrorism; 9/11

c. Imagery of Islam Israeli-Palestinian conflict; Libya (promoting terrorism, etc.); gulf war; hijab (headscarf); now 9/11 - Hamas Oppression of women (p.8) Protests over Newspaper Cartoons

d. Muslim Identity tend to identify first as Muslim then by ethnicity or nationality. Is this so surprising? Distinct religious identity growing out of social exclusion and political disenchantment. Is this so surprising? British Report: Isamophobia 1997 –depiction of Islam as a monolithic, global entity essentialist in nature and rigidly adhering to centuries old traditions

e. Research suggests otherwise: Family Structures in Flux Patriarchal family structure similar to those found across the world As assimilation increases: fewer children; an increase in one-parent families (increase divorce); increase in cohabitation; growth in single-person households. Increase religiosity among youth - unique. Why? high unemployment rates, discrimination; inadequate education.

f. Conclusion: Muslims are a becoming politically more assertive - is this a good thing or a bad thing?

I. Gay and lesbian politics by Ronald Hunt Discussion questions: Where and when did the first broad based lesbian/gay organization start? Germany 1864 –Many intellectuals (i.e., Karl Heinrich) challenged the view that homosexuals were deviants Scientific Humanitarian Committee - First broad based political movement for the emancipation of lesbians and gays from repressive laws and social intolerance.

Discussion questions: Where and when did the first lasting lesbian/gay organization start in the U.S.? U.S (or 1950) Mattachine Society (Los Angeles)– earliest lasting homophile organization in the U.S. named inspired by a French medieval and renaissance masque group. Daughters of Bilitis - first lesbian rights organization in the United States. It was formed in S.F., CA in 1955.

Discussion questions: When and where did an important even happen that help mobilize the gay and lesbian movement ? Stonewall riots 1969, hundreds or thousands rioted for several nights.

Discussion questions: What are the objectives of the gay and lesbian movement in the U.S? definitions of sexuality deletion of homosexuality as a mental illness discussion and dialogue recognition (college courses) Anti-discrimination equal rights

II. The political power of lesbians, gays and bisexuals (1996) by Kenneth Sherrill Discussion questions: According to Kenneth Sherrill - What are the political barriers facing the gay and lesbian movement in the US?

political barriers? despised (thermometer & violent crime) large opposition movement small number widely dispersed (a minority even in their own family) few representatives not homogeneous (demographics; issues)

b. Income and wealth – barrier or asset? Average annual household income of $55,430 compared to national average of $32,144. sample based on readers of a gay magazine (the Advocate)? Author suggest they may make less. Using data from voter exit polls. But this is biased data to. Perhaps only the younger, more urban gays and lesbians will respond to the question of whether they are gay or not.

III. Celebration and Suppression: Strategic Uses of Identity by the lesbian and gay movement by Mary Bernstein What is the Research question of the article: Under what political conditions do activists celebrate or suppress differences from the majority

Why is Identity politics considered problematic by some: 1.critics argue that a celebration of differences prevents a more radical and effective social movement (i.e., socialist, etc). 2. Identity strategies prevent or hinder more instrumental goals (i.e. policy change)

3 strategic uses of identity: identity for empowerment - help mobilization identity as a goal - help redefine the majorities identity identity as strategy: –deployment (discuss the personal) –critique (confront the values of the dominant majority) –education (downplay differences to gain legitimacy)

Hypothesis: differences in social movement behavior/strategies depends: on the structure of the social movement (organized/disorganized) access to politics, and type of opposition

Methodology?: case studies: Lesbian gay movements - New York City; Oregon; Vermont field research: interviews secondary research: newspapers, organization documents

Findings: 1. New York - radical tactics, broad cultural and societal goals. Refused to assimilate (dress mainstream), emphasized differently. Used the "identity for critique" strategy. Why? Started differently - Stonewall (opposition was more hostile) - less homogeneous group. Express the idea the being gay was good.

2. Oregon in the 1970s - conservative tactics, narrow goals, why? gender and class differences, political access. Oregon in the 1980s, early 90s - downplay being gay, up- play discrimination. More homogeneous – gay men. Stressed similarities. Failed even though they had more resources than New York example, why? Narrow focus on legal protection (policy goal) didn't allow for mobilization of gays and other groups.

3. Vermont - conservative tactics, narrow goals, why - political access - governor, liberal interest groups. Successful, why? Lack of organized opposition. There was a religious opposition, but those leaders relied on emotional outbursts and religious appeals. In contrast, the gay and lesbian group was conservative and professional in appearance and demeanor

Conclusion: identity politics is not just expressive, but can be useful in obtaining instrumental (policy goals). Perception of scholars that the lesbian and gay movement was fundamentally different from other social movements. Author disagrees. His model can be applied to gay and lesbian activities as well as civil rights or women's movement.