The Pluralism Project at Harvard University
On Common Ground: World Religions in America
CD-ROM, Third Edition (Windows Only)
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On Common Ground: World Religions in America is a multimedia interactive CD-ROM based on the research of the Pluralism Project. The CD-ROM provides an introduction to the new religious landscape of America, from a Cambodian Buddhist temple set amidst the farmlands of Minnesota, to a multiethnic storefront mosque on a sloping San Francisco street.
On Common Ground was first published by Columbia University Press in 1997; a second edition was released in 2002 with increased functionality across platforms, enhanced color display, and active links to the World Wide Web. In 2008, a third edition was released by the Pluralism Project, which is compatible with Windows only. The primary content of the third edition remains unchanged from its original publication in 1997: through text, image, and sound, On Common Ground provides a snapshot of a historical moment in an emerging multireligious America. Sample essays are available online.
A New Religious Landscape provides resources for studying America's new religious landscape through the lens of various cities and regions. What does the new religious landscape look like today with its mosques, gurdwaras, churches, and temples? In this section there are portraits of nearly 400 communities of faith in 18 regions and cities of the United States, as compiled in 1997.
America’s Many Religions follows the development and life of fifteen religious traditions in the American context: Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Jain, Muslim, Native American, Sikh, Afro-Caribbean, Baha'i, Confucian, Pagan, Shinto, Taoist, and Zoroastrian. A general introduction to each tradition is included, along with an introduction to the history of the tradition in the United States. There are glimpses of the contemporary experience of people in each tradition and discussions of some of the issues people in each tradition are grappling with in the American context today. This section also includes timelines, portraits of individual people, and portraits of some of the organizations and institutions of each tradition.
Encountering Religious Diversity enables users to explore the new and old questions of American identity in the context of its religious diversity. In what ways has America dealt with religious difference historically? What are some of today's challenges, as communities, schools, and public institutions take stock of America's new religious diversity?
On Common Ground received considerable critical acclaim, and a number of awards. The CD-ROM won the EDUCAUSE Medal in 1998, cited as “an extraordinary resource” and a “pioneering work”; it was also a Media and Methods 1998 Awards Portfolio winner, was on Choice’s 35th Annual Outstanding Academic Books list, and was a finalist for the 1998 EdPress Distinguished Achievement Award.
On Common Ground was developed by Diana L. Eck, together with students, staff, and advisors of the Pluralism Project. Credits for the original version of the CD-ROM: Susan A Shumaker, Producer, Stone Circle Productions, Inc.; Than Saffel, Designer, Stone Circle Productions, Inc..; Steve Blake, Programmer, Steve Blake Design; and Terry Kay Rockefeller, Executive Project Manager. Made with Macromedia Director® and QuickTime®.
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