Events, Programs, and Courses
The Scott Center sponsors and hosts numerous ongoing events throughout the year. Join us for any and all that appeal to you, and be sure to check back often to see what’s new and coming up!
Courses
Courses offered in the past four years. Courses offered currently are as noted.
EDST 1010
Social Justice & Muslims in US
Course Description
Social Justice & Muslims in US
What is the role of racism, Islamophobia and xenophobia in shaping attitudes towards Muslims in America? How have Muslim Americans organized against marginalization and what are the implications of their activism for all Americans? Combining culturally relevant pedagogy and empirical research, this co-taught course will explore how Muslims have animated social justice in the American sphere through their activism in the civil rights era and in shaping current American culture and politics. Due attention will be given to approaches to Islamic spirituality and social action, as well as the lives of American Muslim communities that lie at the intersections of religion, race, class, gender, and geography. An essential aspect of the course is you! The collaborative teaching and learning will guide our explorations as we participate in pedagogies of care, community and inclusive education.
Zahra Moeini Meybodi is the Associate Muslim Chaplain and Interfaith Advisor at Middlebury College, formerly lecturer at Hunter College CUNY.
/Khuram Hussain is the Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Associate Professor of Education Studies at Middlebury College./
Terms Taught
Requirements
INTD 0160
Conflict in Northern Ireland
Course Description
Conflict Transformation: An On The Ground Case Study in Northern Ireland (half-credit)
In preparation for a spring break trip to Northern Ireland, we will learn how conflict transformation (CT) led to the Good Friday Agreement, to The Troubles in Northern Ireland, and how it continues to be used to maintain peace there. We will approach this with a CT lens while also learning and practicing CT skills and traveling to Northern Ireland to study the history of the conflict and its current status today. This course will look at many aspects of The Troubles including history, religion, colonialism, violence, peacemaking, and civil involvement through readings, lectures, using CT approaches to reflection and hearing from local experts and peace activists during our trip. The tour will be led by Mejdi Tours, a tour group which provides guides from different perspectives for a dual-narrative approach. Throughout the course and our travels we will ask how the CT approach in Northern Ireland may or may not be relevant to other global or local conflicts. This class will be team taught by Sarah Stroup, Mark Orten, Danielle Stillman and Zahra Moeini. We will meet weekly for classes over dinner before the trip, travel to Northern Ireland together over spring break, and gather for three more weeks of final presentations after the trip. Students must apply for this half credit course; the application deadline is October 15, 2024.
Terms Taught
RELI 1051
Islam in Contemporary Morocco
Course Description
Islam in Contemporary Morocco
In this course, we will first learn about the early history of Islam and its expansion into North Africa and then will move on to discuss the challenge of modernity and the onslaught of colonialism as experienced in the region. This will be followed by a 10-day travel to Morocco. Our goal will be to understand the complexity of the lived experience of Islam in Morocco. To do so, we will focus on a few salient issues such as gender dynamics, varying interpretations of Islam, and ethnic diversity/conflict, and the impact of Islam on contemporary political structure. We will engage with eminent Muslim intellectuals, exchange views with local students, meet with activists from minoritized backgrounds, and visit heritage sites. Students must apply for this course, the deadline for application is September 10th, 2024.
Terms Taught
Requirements
2024-25 Scott Center Programs and Events
10:00 am — Reunion Christian Chapel Service, led by Dean of Spiritual and Religious Life Mark R. Orten, with the Reunion Choir led by Emory Fanning, Emeritus Professor of Music.
10:00-12:00 — Reunion Hillel Bagel Brunch at the Jewish Center in Freeman International Center.
46 South Street
Join Scott Center staff, Interfaith House residents, and members of all our student spiritual and religious life groups for a delicious Mexican feast and reflection on the year. All are welcome.
The Crest Room, McCullough
The Religious Life Council presents an interfaith student-led panel discussion on how our faith shapes our relationship with the natural world. Participating student orgs: Hindu Student Association, Hillel, Muslim Student Association, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Buddhist Student Association, Middlebury Quakers, Newman Club.
Snacks will be provided!
McCullough Crest Room
Come slow down with beads, collaging, watercolors, grown-up coloring books and more. Homemade hot chai and cookies too!
46 South Street
For the Christian, Christian-curious, Christian-conflicted and anyone interested in exploring the deep places in loving community.
Share a homemade meal of soup and bread over lightly-guided scripture readings, discussion and prayers.
Interested but can’t attend? Email Prof. Mary Jane Simpson, msimpson@middlebury.edu
McCullough Crest Room
We offer a quick grounding moment in lightly-guided meditation in the Crest Room every weekday morning when classes are in session. All faculty, staff and students are invited; no experience is necessary.
Middlebury Chapel
Together we’ll honor the memory of those lost in the Holocaust through reflection, readings, and yahrzeit lighting as we commit to remembrance and resilience.
Middlebury Chapel
We carry so much in these precarious times. Come any Thursday at 3:45 for these 30-minute Weekly Community Gatherings in the chapel. Led by Dean of Spiritual & Religious Life Mark Orten, quiet time for ourselves and one another is held with deep care and gratitude. All are welcome to these lightly-guided circles and no experience is necessary.
Crest Room, McCullough
Join us for a hands-on workshop exploring the traditional art and symbolism of Ukrainian Easter egg decorating. Led by the Ukrainian students, this event will guide participants through the process of creating their own Easter egg using beeswax, food coloring, and a traditional writing tool. Snacks and Ukrainian candies will be provided.
Please fill out the registration form to reserve your spot, as space is limited: https://forms.gle/6RA4oZPqt3nwRuoY9
Football Stadium (rain location is Kirk Alumni Center)
All are welcome at this ecumenical Easter Sunrise Service at the football stadium. Local clergy will share the leadership of the service. Coffee and baked goods to follow at the Weybridge Congregational Church.
In case of inclement weather, the service will be moved to Kirk Alumni Center.
Kirk Alumni Center
Happy Passover! You are invited to a Middlebury College community seder where we will eat, sing, bless and discuss our way through the story of the Exodus and how it relates to us today. No background is necessary—all are welcome. Please rsvp on this form by Friday, April 4th so we can accommodate everyone’s food needs.
A shuttle bus will be available from ADK Circle to Kirk running from 6:00-6:45 pm to bring students to the seder. The shuttle will begin taking students back to ADK Circle between 8:30-9:15 pm, and possibly earlier as needed.
click here for a full description of our Spring 2025 course and trip (INTD 0160), offered in conjunction with the Davis Collaborative in Conflict Transformation.
McCullough Mitchell Green Lounge
Please note that the Dec. 8 gathering will happen off-campus. Contact rosenber@middlebury.edu for details on location.
Described as spiritual, joyful, powerful, and raucous, Shape Note (or Sacred Harp) singing is a traditional American style of four-part, a capella, community singing popular in the United States before the Civil War. This style still thrives across the US and in the UK, with strongholds in the American South and New England. It is called Shape-Note because the notes of the scale are indicated by distinctive shapes and names: Fa – triangle, Sol – circle, La – square, and Mi – diamond.
Facilitated by Prof. Emeritus David Rosenberg every second Sunday.
Middlebury Chapel
An annual celebration of traditional Christmas music and biblical texts of the season. Led by Dean of Spiritual and Religious Life Mark R. Orten, and Middlebury College Choir Musical Director Jeffrey Buettner.
Two services, at 4:00 and 7:00 pm. Donations will be accepted for local charities.
Large print programs available. American Sign Language interpretation at the 4:00 service only.
Middlebury Chapel
A lightly-guided weekly ritual to share care and support in response to campus and world events.
Crest Room, McCullough
Counter your election anxiety with snacks, crafts and good company at an all-day drop-in SlowDown with Scott Center chaplains and staff.
See our full High Holidays schedule here.
46 South Street
We’ll provide a catered all-vegetarian dinner to celebrate the beginning of the year. All are welcome!
Take a look at all the ways you can connect with The Scott Center at this fall’s Orientation events!