Research Proposal

Researching religion in the school system

Research question:

Integration has been a highly debated problem in Europe, especially with regard to Islamic immigrants. The teaching of Islam in public schools has been a particularly poignant issue as it touches on the other issues of religion, promoting tolerance, equal opportunity, and education. What do the students, their parents and various religious organizations in Berlin think about the way in which religion is taught in the public schools of Berlin and what, if anything, do they think needs to be changed, particularly concerning Islamic education?

Research methods:

Interviews with leaders/prominent figures/spokesmen of local religious groups.

Interviews with religious education teachers (if possible)

Interviews with students

Case studies with immigrant families

Interviews with policy drafters (if possible)

I have already sent out emails to various religious organizations in Berlin and have received answers from a couple.

http://www.islamische-foederation.de/
http://www.jg-berlin.org/site/01e_about/01_0start.htm
http://www.all-saints-berlin.de/index.html
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,1526501,00.html
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,1506557,00.html
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,1171302,00.html
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3336570,00.html