I rapidly discovered that religious studies and sociology were much more to my liking. My majors complement one another nicely, with the one providing the subject material of keenest interest to me and the other providing the tools with which to analyze it. I am drawn to the study of society and how its pieces fit together because I have always sought to understand puzzling human behavior. On the surface, actions do not necessarily make sense, but when one probes through to underlying meanings, nonsensical behavior takes on a more lucid quality. It is important to me to understand the world around me.
Religious studies bring the mystery back into a world stripped of wonder by the scientific method.
Religious institutions shape society in important ways, and understanding them is critical to understanding our world. Concepts of religion that reach beyond the institution round out the images of human interaction and human nature. This portfolio includes pieces of writing and projects from many of the courses I have taken in pursuit of my degree, arranged in chronological order and divided by discipline to demonstrate the development of my skills and knowledge within each subject. In addition to my studies in the classroom, I have done a great deal of learning in the outer world. H.O.P.E. Unlimited, which provided social alternatives to drinking for Hartwick students, and my contribution to Guiding Eyes for the Blind as a puppy raiser and puppy class assistant.