Dear Religion Concentrators,
I hope that you¹ve all been enjoying a productive and relaxing summer!
For those of you whom I have not yet met, I am the new Director of
Undergraduate Studies. I¹m currently Professor of South Asian Religions at
Harvard Divinity School; more than two decades ago (eek!?!) I was also a
concentrator in the Study of Religion. Brent Landau, an advanced doctoral
student in New Testament and Early Christianity, has taken over as Assistant
Director of Undergraduate Studies. Along with Diana Eck, the new chair of
the Committee on the Study of Religion, we look forward to working with all
of you this year!
With the semester quickly approaching, I write both to introduce myself and
to convey a bit of important information as we gear up for the new academic
year.
Attached is a list of concentrators and advisors. With the departure of
Professors Orsi and Lewis, and with Professor Ahmed on leave for the entire
year, I¹ve had to shuffle you around a bit; please take note of your advisor
for the coming year, and be sure to meet with him or her before Study Cards
are due on September 21st. During the summer¹s transition, it became very
clear how important it is to have updated Plans of Study from each of you.
Thus, also attached are blank Plans of Study for each of our four
concentration options; please fill out the one relevant for your course of
study and bring it to the meeting with your advisor. I have asked advisors
not to sign Study Cards unless you¹ve filled out a new Plan of Study, so
please take note!
The fall Concentrators' Meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 17th, at
6:00 pm in the Thompson Room (on the first floor of the Barker Center). We
will have information on religion courses offered this semester,
introductions of students and faculty, and more general announcements.
Juniors will also have a chance to meet briefly with their tutorial leaders.
(Juniors who¹ve indicated interest in doing their tutorials in the fall will
soon receive an email from me with more information.) Please remember that
the meeting is mandatory for all concentrators.
The meeting will be followed by a picnic on the lawn of the Barker Center
(or in the Thompson Room, depending upon weather). The meeting and the
picnic are a great opportunity to catch up with people you haven't seen in a
while, meet new ones, and chat with faculty and other students about courses
for the fall.
For my advisees, and for those of you who would like to meet with me before
or during the first week of classes, I have set up extended office hours.
To make an appointment, please call Danielle Cotter at 617-495-4486 or email
her at dcotter(a)hds.harvard.edu. Danielle will be making appointments for me
throughout the year, but you can also always reach me directly via email at
anne_monius(a)harvard.edu.
After a year of sabbatical, I am very happy to be serving as Director of
Undergraduate Studies and look forward to a great year working with you. As
you return to Cambridge and begin thinking in earnest about the fall
semester, please do not hesitate to be in touch with any questions or
concerns you may have. Between now and the beginning of classes, email is
perhaps the best way to reach me directly.
Enjoy what remains of the summer, and I look forward to seeing you all on
September 17th at 6:00 pm!
With best wishes,
Anne E. Monius
Professor of South Asian Religions, Harvard Divinity School
Director of Undergraduate Studies, Committee on the Study of Religion
Barker Center 308
12 Quincy Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: (617) 496-1018
Email: anne_monius(a)harvard.edu
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