Spring Break
Author Tackles Indian Stereotypes
Christopher Duray
Issue date: 4/6/07 Section: News
Issues of society, agriculture, economics and religion were addressed. These all helped emphasize the peaceful co-existence of several religions in the region, their various heritages, forms of worship, shared characteristics and tolerated differences.
The jewel of Gottschalk's Web site was the "roam" feature, which was meant to simulate Indian life and culture by offering a virtual tour of Arampur that visitors can explore. The map features 360 degree panoramic views and pictures, and users can examine areas of note in detail or read conversations and profiles of the town's inhabitants.
Gottschalk said that in order to be better informed about Indian culture, the western world needs more thorough global education.
"We need to do a better job of teaching religion," Gottschalk said. "Most people don't teach religion in public schools because they have the concern that teaching about religion is the same thing as teaching religion, which is against the constitution.
We need to do a better job bringing religion into schools in ways in which we can talk about religious culture without promoting theology," he said.
Turnout was good among both students and faculty. Neal Stearns, an 8th-semester economics major, said he thinks many people are uninformed about India.
"It's something that you don't get to hear everyday in the classes at UConn," he said. "It's a new perspective."
Elizabeth Hanson, professor of political science and director of the India studies program organized professor Gottschalk's talk, one of several in a series created by the India studies program to increase awareness and knowledge of India in the UConn community. She said interest in India was growing on campus.
"In the past, it has been in the background of Americans' minds," Hanson said. "India's phenomenal economic growth is starting to attract attention now, and once people get interested in the economy, they start to get interested in other things."
The jewel of Gottschalk's Web site was the "roam" feature, which was meant to simulate Indian life and culture by offering a virtual tour of Arampur that visitors can explore. The map features 360 degree panoramic views and pictures, and users can examine areas of note in detail or read conversations and profiles of the town's inhabitants.
Gottschalk said that in order to be better informed about Indian culture, the western world needs more thorough global education.
"We need to do a better job of teaching religion," Gottschalk said. "Most people don't teach religion in public schools because they have the concern that teaching about religion is the same thing as teaching religion, which is against the constitution.
We need to do a better job bringing religion into schools in ways in which we can talk about religious culture without promoting theology," he said.
Turnout was good among both students and faculty. Neal Stearns, an 8th-semester economics major, said he thinks many people are uninformed about India.
"It's something that you don't get to hear everyday in the classes at UConn," he said. "It's a new perspective."
Elizabeth Hanson, professor of political science and director of the India studies program organized professor Gottschalk's talk, one of several in a series created by the India studies program to increase awareness and knowledge of India in the UConn community. She said interest in India was growing on campus.
"In the past, it has been in the background of Americans' minds," Hanson said. "India's phenomenal economic growth is starting to attract attention now, and once people get interested in the economy, they start to get interested in other things."
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