Immigration and religion institute co-director to give annual La Sierra lecture

 

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Amanda J. Lucia, co-director of the Institute for the Study of Immigration and Religion at the University of California, Riverside will serve as keynote speaker for an annual lecture series at La Sierra University.

Amanda J. Lucia, associate professor and co-director of the Institute for the Study of Immigration and Religion at the University of California, Riverside will deliver the annual Paul J. Landa Lecture at La Sierra University. (Photo: Courtesy of UC Riverside)
Amanda J. Lucia, associate professor and co-director of the Institute for the Study of Immigration and Religion at the University of California, Riverside will deliver the annual Paul J. Landa Lecture at La Sierra University. (Photo: Courtesy of UC Riverside)

Lucia, who also serves as a religious studies researcher and associate professor, will give a talk titled “American Multiculturalism: Promises and Actualities” for La Sierra’s Paul J. Landa Memorial Lecture on Faith and Learning. The lecture will be held Sat., Feb. 25 at 4 p.m. at the La Sierra University Church. Admission is free.

Lucia’s presentation will discuss the United States as a nation of immigrants, but a nation where popular attitudes and official policies have varied dramatically across history. She will delve into the ways immigrant groups in Southern California continue to struggle for representation and how religion is involved. And she will broach the topic of multiculturalism in light of the rise in alienation toward immigrant groups and whether this phenomenon is the result of the successes or failures of American multiculturalism.

Lucia earned a Ph.D. in History of Religions in 2010 from the University of Chicago. She has received multiple research awards and fellowships, and authored upwards of 10 articles as well as several book chapters. Broad recognitions for her ethnographic analysis in a book titled “Reflections of Amma: Devotees in a Global Embrace,” include the Emory Elliott Book Award prize from UC Riverside’s Center for Ideas and Society.

The memorial Landa Lecture series is sponsored by the H.M.S. Richards Divinity School at La Sierra. The lecture has been held annually in honor of Landa’s work since 1999. Keynote speakers include such notables as Philip Yancey and Robert Jewett. 

Landa taught at both Loma Linda University and La Sierra for 26 years. He is remembered as a professor of the history of Christianity and was also a futurist of great vision. He developed expertise in strategic planning for churches and educational institutions. Landa devoted his career to fostering a healthy conversation among church, campus, and community in which each informed and inspired the other.

La Sierra University Church is located at 4937 Sierra Vista Ave., Riverside. For further information call 951-785-2041.

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