Monthly Archives: May 2021

Senior Spotlight: a series on our graduating students

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In what other major can you peruse the Ramayana, the Sattipatthana Sutta, and the Scivias, at the same time? As a religion major, you will have access to the greatest works in translation. What’s more? Religion professors, you must have heard by now are the most caring, talented, and student-centered you can find on UVM campus.

– shuvan shrestha
Shuvan Shrestha is one of our 2021 Outstanding Major Award winners!

Why did you major in Religion?

In what other major can you peruse the Ramayana, the Sattipatthana Sutta, and the Scivias, at the same time? As a religion major, you will have access to the greatest works in translation. What’s more? Religion professors, you must have heard by now are the most caring, talented, and student-centered you can find on UVM campus. After taking Professor Trainor’s Comparing Religions, followed by Professor Brennan’s Religion, Sound, Space my first year, I was destined to become a religion major. Yet the question of why you majored in religion, cannot be described fully in words, you will need to sit in a religion classroom to experience for yourself.  

Where do you imagine yourself in 10 years?

I am deeply worried about the state of K-12 education in Nepal, where I received my own K-12 education. As remnants of colonial atrocities, corporal punishment is widely used in schools today. I hope to push against institutions that value discipline over creativity, rigidity over flexibility, censorship over academic freedom, and unhealthy supervision over trust in students. This needs to change.

Imagine a first-year student has asked your advice about REL courses. What’s the one she shouldn’t dream about missing? Why?

Religion, Sound, Space with Professor Brennan! This was THE class when I think back, what made my first-year UVM experience so great, this is the class. A four-credit class with six other students, a class in which CAS’ public reputation as a “small liberal arts college within a high caliber public research institution” was manifest, in this class we conducted field research, we interviewed local community members and made connections with them, while also learning about ethnomusicology and acoustemology, we recorded the soundscape of Burlington with support from Howe Library’s Multimedia Services, and then we made an entire blog post, in turn receiving compliments aplenty from the local community members. As someone who did not know much about Vermont or even the U.S., interacting with local community members back in my first-year had been a valuable experience, which made me confident to work with local communities later when I undertook the legislative internship position at the Office of U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders the semester after taking this class. 

If you could write any book, what would it be?

The Epic of Gilgamesh: Nepali Translation. After receiving permission from Professor Andrew George from the SOAS and from the Penguin Press, I undertook the book translation project for Gilgamesh in my junior year. Then pandemic hit… For now, it remains a potential future project. I was interested in the project for several reasons: Professor Chiu’s excellent classes, which piqued my interest in the epic, the fact that I dearly miss reading and writing in Nepali, and the issue of language justice and accessibility. 

Any fond memories of 481 Main Street you want to share?

I will always remember Professor Trainor’s warm greetings the second I stepped into his office, also his efficacious smile, the invaluable advising sessions, the really comfortable sofa in his office! After meeting Professor Trainor in his first-floor office, I remember walking down the wooden stairway (that creaked!), only then to be heard by Professor Brennan inside her ground-floor office who waved cheerfully–thank you so much, it always brightened up my day.

You’re finishing up in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tell us something about that experience—bonus points for including religion or the Religion Department as a way to think about it!

I want to thank all my professors; the pandemic has not been easy for anyone. This semester, I attended UVM remotely from Nepal. For a 2:50-4:05pm class, it was 1-3am at night in my time zone. I could have picked another class with a suitable timing, but I really wanted to be in Professor Brennan’s class (again!) for my last semester (which was at 2:05). She recorded her live lectures, and all religion professors were very supportive to meet my academic needs, thank you!

Senior Spotlight: a series on our graduating students

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Taking classes during this pandemic and comparing my experience to those of my friends has reminded me how grateful I am for this major and my professors. Being in small classes with professors who know me and care so much about their students has made all the difference. It’s still hard learning online and having the energy to focus on school with everything else going on, but this department has made it much easier.

– LAURA BISBEE-SLADE

Why did you major in Religion?

Religion was a large part of my high school experience, so entering college it seemed like a natural topic for me to study. Looking back, I don’t think I really understood what it meant to study religion, but the more I understood how religion functions in people’s lives, often in ways we don’t initially realize, and how it intersects with so many other areas of society, the more I knew I made the right choice.

Where do you imagine yourself in 10 years?

Hopefully putting a law degree to good use, but we’ll see in 10 years!

Imagine a first-year student has asked your advice about REL courses. What’s the one she shouldn’t dream about missing? Why?

There are a lot of courses that I think are absolutely essential, but I’m going to say Islam and Race with Prof. Morgenstein Fuerst because it is relevant to so many other facets of life and addresses topics which are often mishandled or avoided entirely.

If you could write any book, what would it be?

I’ve always loved creative storytelling and working with kids, so I think I would probably want to write (and illustrate!) a children’s book. Maybe a religious literacy for kids book!

Any fond memories of 481 Main Street you want to share?

Snack days in Religion, Nation, and State with Prof. Borchert!

You’re finishing up in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tell us something about that experience—bonus points for including religion or the Religion Department as a way to think about it!

Taking classes during this pandemic and comparing my experience to those of my friends has reminded me how grateful I am for this major and my professors. Being in small classes with professors who know me and care so much about their students has made all the difference. It’s still hard learning online and having the energy to focus on school with everything else going on, but this department has made it much easier.

Senior Spotlight: a series on our graduating students

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I am never uninterested in any aspect of religion, I have found throughout my undergraduate work that these courses have taught me what I really need to know about the world in order to understand people, place, culture, and history, and it has made me recognize that I will always keep learning.

– amelia coates

Why did you major in Religion?

I came to the University of Vermont looking for a passion. I have always been drawn to the humanities and to furthering my education more broadly (AKA I am a total nerd), and I found that passion for religious studies. During my freshman year I took Comparing Religions with Professor Andrus, and from there I took as many religion courses as I could before eventually transferring into the Religion department as a major. I am never uninterested in any aspect of religion, I have found throughout my undergraduate work that these courses have taught me what I really need to know about the world in order to understand people, place, culture, and history, and it has made me recognize that I will always keep learning.

Where do you imagine yourself in 10 years?

In ten years I’m sure I’ll have more degrees (the number remains yet to be seen), but in all sincerity I hope that in 10 years I am able to study what I love with other people who share my passion. If I were to set goals right this second I see myself as the head curator at the British Museum, dismantling the structures that allow for its proliferation of colonialism, or working with migrant and indigenous populations in the United States to understand land rights, reparations, politics, and community healing. I always like to set lofty goals. 

Imagine a first-year student has asked your advice about REL courses. What’s the one she shouldn’t dream about missing? Why?

I would say that Mysticism, Shamanism and Possession with Professor Brennan was one of my all-time favorite religion courses and should not be missed by any students. I also would recommend Islam and Race with Professor Morgenstein Fuerst, I have taken many D1 courses and it was hands-down the best one.    

If you could write any book, what would it be?

My answer to this question changes every day, but right now if I could write any book I would write something about the framework through which we understand systemic oppression, the necropolitics surrounding marginalized bodies and experiences, and how religious practice informs community mourning and change. 

Any fond memories of 481 Main Street you want to share?

I will always cherish every moment at 481 Main. I loved advising office hours with Professor Brennan every semester, I loved every class in the seminar room, and I will never forget my reception of the Religion department mug, which I happily use every morning.  

You’re finishing up in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tell us something about that experience—bonus points for including religion or the Religion Department as a way to think about it!

I think that the Covid semesters have taught me about patience, especially patience with myself and my peers. I also have had the privilege of taking Religion, Health, and Healing with Professor Brennan during this Covid semester and I found the connections between the course materials and our collective life right now to be extremely interesting and inspiring in terms of how we learn to heal from this kind of experience that is so nuanced with history and politics. I have learned that care is about upholding individual experience, and not bogging ourselves down with collective exhaustion. 

Senior Spotlight: a series on our graduating students

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I always loved the atmosphere of the small classes in the seminar room. Having smaller class sizes really allowed me to feel more connected to the class and its material. One of my fondest memories at 481 Main was probably receiving my REL mug after finishing REL 100! I keep it above my sink in my kitchen so I can always see it, definitely feels like a great accomplishment!

– Belly luksza ’21
Isabelle Luksza ’21

Why did you major in Religion?

I honestly never would have guessed 4 years ago that I would be majoring in Religion. I came to UVM as a Political Science major, to Anthropology, then made my way to Religion by the end of my Sophomore year. I had taken Religion, Health, and Healing as an Anthropology class, and I found myself wanting to take more and more Religion classes. That is when I realized I felt much more connected with the material than any other classes I had taken at UVM. It was almost like everything finally fell into place for me.

Where do you imagine yourself in 10 years?

The first thing that came to mind was cats. Lots of cats. Hopefully living in my own place with lots of room for rescue animals! 

Imagine a first-year student has asked your advice about REL courses. What’s the one she shouldn’t dream about missing? Why?

Religion, Health, and Healing with Professor Brennan! It was the first REL class I took, and it was the perfect beginning to my academic journey to the Religion department. It is also one of the reasons why I changed my major! 

If you could write any book, what would it be?

I would love to write a children’s book! It would be about the many adventures of my kitty, Moe. His hobbies include playing fetch with his favorite blue mouse and riding in the back of my car daydreaming about being an outdoor cat. 

Any fond memories of 481 Main Street you want to share?

I always loved the atmosphere of the small classes in the seminar room. Having smaller class sizes really allowed me to feel more connected to the class and its material. One of my fondest memories at 481 Main was probably receiving my REL mug after finishing REL 100! I keep it above my sink in my kitchen so I can always see it, definitely feels like a great accomplishment!

Senior Spotlight: a series on our graduating students

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In ten years I imagine myself as a middle or high school teacher teaching social studies. There are so many things I wish I was taught in middle/high school that I didn’t learn about until college. We can’t dismantle corrupt systems until we know about them and how they function – so it’s better to start that work as early as possible. 

– lexie drew ’21
Lexie Drew ’21

Why did you major in Religion?

My freshman year first semester class schedule was done for me by someone in CAS. I was randomly placed in Professor Morgenstein Fuerst’s “Comparing Religions” class and absolutely loved it. I remember leaving every class feeling like my brain was exploding and growing! I just kept thinking about the discussions, information, and questions that were brought up in each class. I was learning so much and having a lot of fun and so I just kept sneakily signing up for REL classes each semester.  Because I didn’t want to go without one, I eventually added it as my minor. Last semester, Professor Borchert and I realized I was only 8 credits away from a major and I decided to go for it. I am so happy I did and feel so proud to be a Religion major. 

Where do you imagine yourself in 10 years?

In ten years I imagine myself as a middle or high school teacher teaching social studies. There are so many things I wish I was taught in middle/high school that I didn’t learn about until college. We can’t dismantle corrupt systems until we know about them and how they function – so it’s better to start that work as early as possible. 

Imagine a first-year student has asked your advice about REL courses. What’s the one she shouldn’t dream about missing? Why?

Oh my, what a tough question. I think all Religion classes are amazing (like actually I am not kidding), so any and all! But these were my favorite: 

  • Islam & Modernity: I loved constantly trying to answer the question of “what is modernity?” and we read some really great books such as “Pious Fashion.” 
  • Religion and Ways of Knowing Loved the books we read and it really expanded my knowledge in terms of the embodiment of religion and how religious meaning is created and found. 
  • Seeing the Sacred: Love the focus of visuality and the senses. Studying Religion by focusing on the body has taught me so much about how it functions.
  • Religious Literacy: I just feel like this is a really great class to take to understand how important it is to know about religion as it is literally everywhere. 

If you could write any book, what would it be?

“How to get the confidence to raise your hand!” Or something about a friendship between a turtle and a dog. Still deciding between the two. 

Any fond memories of 481 Main Street you want to share?

Gathering around the table in “Religion and Ways of Knowing.” It was so small and intimate. I felt so free to be speak, question, and wonder in that atmosphere. It’s cool to talk about humans and the human experience while being close to other humans! I think it helps things make more sense. That was one of my last classes before COVID. 

You’re finishing up in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tell us something about that experience—bonus points for including religion or the Religion Department as a way to think about it!

Things and people adapt under ever-changing circumstances. Religious communities are made up of people and so it makes sense that these communities change and shift based on particular contexts. Also, despite not being together physically, I still learned a lot virtually and was like seriously always in my pajamas. 

Senior Spotlight: a series on our graduating students

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I remember the religion classes I took sophomore year so vividly and having “Ah-Ha” moments almost every day. I felt almost like I had to become a religion major because studying religion makes me excited and engaged in ways no other subject can. 

– eli van buren ’21
Eli Van Buren ’21

Why did you major in Religion?

There’s nothing else I would want to struggle to understand more than the questions asked in the Rel department. I remember the religion classes I took sophomore year so vividly and having “Ah-Ha” moments almost every day. I felt almost like I had to become a religion major because studying religion makes me excited and engaged in ways no other subject can. 

Where do you imagine yourself in 10 years?

Oh yikes, my imagination is endless! In 10 years, I think I’ll be taking it easy – swimming and laughing somewhere nice. I’ll be fluent in Portuguese by then (of course!) and collaborating with other artists in meaningful ways.

I also hope to be much more articulate/confident and to be continuing to think critically no matter what I’m doing. 

Imagine a first-year student has asked your advice about REL courses. What’s the one she shouldn’t dream about missing? Why?

Religion Health and Healing! It completely changed the ways I understand the body, ritual, and socialization. Easily one of my favorite classes at UVM.

If you could write any book, what would it be?

It would be an interstellar pirate western full of space outlaws, political intrigue, and personal connection. I mean, it would be an allegory for something, but I haven’t worked that bit out yet – the absurdity of life, maybe. I love a healthy portion of humor in a narrative, but I would savor the serious moments so they could really hit home. It would the kind of book that fully immerses readers into the world it creates – with characters you hate to love and love to hate. I dunno, that’s the kind of book I would want to read!

Any fond memories of 481 Main Street you want to share?

When I took Religion in Japan, Professor Borchert had optional movie showings on a few weekends over the semester – I remember being the only student to show up to watch Okuribito with him and it was just really chill and nice to hang out and eat popcorn while watching this movie on a cloudy afternoon.

And a million of my favorite conversations with Professor Brennan in her office.

And being surrounded by coffee and donuts on finals weeks.

You’re finishing up in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tell us something about that experience—bonus points for including religion or the Religion Department as a way to think about it!

It was absolutely terrible!

Senior Spotlight: a series on our graduating students

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Every class that I have taken in the department has taught me so much about how people relate to one another across time and space and the social mechanisms tied to colonial projects and white supremacy that permeate every facet of society, including through how we perceive religious people.

– becca turley ’21
Becca Turley ’21

Why did you major in Religion?

I chose to be a Religion major because I took Comparing Religions and absolutely fell in love with the subject and the department. I was drawn to the ways that the major combined so many different academic disciplines like gender studies, sociology, political science, anthropology, etc. through the lens of religion, which itself is a highly misunderstood topic. Every class that I have taken in the department has taught me so much about how people relate to one another across time and space and the social mechanisms tied to colonial projects and white supremacy that permeate every facet of society, including through how we perceive religious people. 

Where do you imagine yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years I hope to be engaging in work that contributes the world in a positive matter; a dream job that I would hope to have in 10 years (or more!) is an ambassador to India or some type of political advisor on a foreign region where I can use the invaluable knowledge I have gained from both the Religion and Political Science departments to foster positive change in the world!

Imagine a first-year student has asked your advice about REL courses. What’s the one she shouldn’t dream about missing? Why?

ISLAM AND RACE! This was by far my favorite class in the REL department and at UVM because it taught me so much about the racialization of Islam in the United States and how it relates to the delicate racial and social fabric in the US. The materials we read and the ethnographic accounts we read opened my eyes to the US as a surveillance state and inspired me to educate myself on the racialization and politicization of other minoritized identities. 

If you could write any book, what would it be?

If I could write any book it would be children’s book about the Black Liberation Movement in the 20th century and the role of religion in the fight for Civil Rights in America. 

Any fond memories of 481 Main Street you want to share?

I have so many fond memories in the REL department because it was the first place at UVM that felt like a home to me, rather than a temporary dorm or classroom. I would have to say that my funniest (not necessarily favorite) memory of the REL house, aside from receiving my REL mug at the end of REL 100, was getting stuck in the first floor bathroom because the lock got stuck, and I had to wait for someone to kick the door open before returning to class!

You’re finishing up in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tell us something about that experience—bonus points for including religion or the Religion Department as a way to think about it!

Graduating college in the midst of a pandemic has been a unique and difficult experience, after getting kicked out of my study abroad trip and returning to a city that looked and acted nothing like how I remembered it was very tricky for me. It has taken me a while to adjust to this new learning format, not only because taking class from home can be difficult to learn, but also because this is admittedly not how I imagined my senior year at all. Nevertheless, I have felt incredibly supported by so many people in my life during this transitionary time, and I owe a million debts of gratitude to the REL department for teaching me so much about myself and the world around me (no matter how quickly and dramatically it changes!).