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
2025-26 Scott Center Programs and Events
Take a look at all the ways you can connect with The Scott Center at this fall’s Orientation events!
Tuesdays 2-3:30 pm and Thursdays 10-noon
Drop-In Hours with the Dean of Spiritual and Religious Life
College Chapel
Stop by any Tuesday or Thursday when classes are in session to have a chat and cup of tea with Mark Orten, Dean of Spiritual and Religious Life. All are welcome.
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. No registration required; drop in any day that works for you! All are welcome.
vans leave ADK Circle at 10:00 am sharp
Scott Center staff will lead students to this interfaith sanctuary of trails, a Sacred Circle, and labyrinth in the Green Mountain National Forest. To learn more, go to www.spiritinnature.org.
First come/first serve registration; participation is limited to the number of van seats we have.
Please wear good walking shoes; the paths are rough and uneven. All are welcome.
See our full High Holidays schedule here.
McCullough Crest Room
Come slow down with beads, collaging, watercolors, grown-up coloring books and more. Homemade hot chai and cookies too! All are welcome.
Middlebury Chapel
A restful pause in a sacred space to hold honest conversations about the Christian journey. Drop in any Tuesday for a chat and cup of tea. All are welcome.
46 South St on Sept .13 only, then every Saturday at Hathaway House (135 South Main St.)
For the Christian, Christian-curious, and Christian-conflicted. We’ll share appetizers and mocktails over lightly-guided scripture readings, discussion and prayers. Hosted by Prof. Mary Jane Simpson, msimpson@midd. All are welcome.
Sept. 14 in Middlebury Chapel; sessions thereafter in Mitchell Green Lounge
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.
No training or musical ability is necessary; the tradition emphasizes participation, not performance. Free and open to all. Led by Professor Emeritus David Rosenberg of the Middlebury Shape Note Singers. All are welcome.
135 South Main Street
Come help us dedicate our beautiful new Scott Center at 135 South Main Street! We’ll have a catered vegetarian dinner; no RSVP required. All are welcome.