Ethnic Identity of Arab Settlements in the New World

The project traces the factors influencing the cultural orientation of ethnic Arab colonies in the New World. A comparative approach is designed to examine and theorize issues of social acculturation and ethnic identity with special attention to the construction of stereotypes and prejudices that serve to distance and differentiate the colony from the host country. The empirical observations will help to answer the project's key question, namely how identity and ethnicity is constructed and how, in respect to parallel as well as divergent developments, various Arab colonies in the New World achieve ethnic differentiation.

Duration of Funding: August 2001-2003

Applicants:
Prof. Anton Escher (Geography)
Prof. Dr. W.-D. Sahr (Cultural Geography)
Prof. E. A. da Silva (History)
Prof. S. Baptista (Anthropology)