Susan Darlington

Biography
Susan M. Darlington, professor of anthropology and Asian studies, received a B.A. in anthropology and history from Wellesley College and an M.A. and Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Michigan. Her research, based on extensive fieldwork in Thailand, examines the work of Buddhist monks engaged in rural development, environmental conservation and other forms of social activism. The broader questions she addresses in her research and teaching include understanding the changing social, political and historical contexts of religion, environmentalism and human rights, and the creative use of ritual for social change. Her book, The Ordination of a Tree: The Thai Buddhist Environmental Movement, was published by SUNY Press, 2012.

Sue teaches socially engaged Buddhism, environmental anthropology, religious movements, and Southeast Asian studies. She is actively involved in the struggle for human rights in Burma. She also oversees Hampshire's Tibetan Studies Program, connected with the Five College Tibetan Studies in India Program.

 

Sue Darlington's Office Hours
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Courses
Rivers of Life and Death, CSI-0232, Fall 2012

Buddhism and Society SS 143 (S11); SS/HACU 143 with Ryan Joo Spring 2009

Environmental Justice in the Age of Climate Change SS 235 (S11)

Culture, Religion and Environmentalism SS 151  (S10, F07)

Socially Engaged Buddhism (S10, S08)

Human Rights tutorial SS 142T, with Flavio Risech-Ozeguera Fall 2009

Environment and Social Justice SS 285 (F09; S08 w/ Stephanie Levin)

Environment and Community Spring 2009

Land Stories, Land Rights SS-147 Fall 2008

Buddhism and Ecology SS-220 Fall 2008

Independent Studies I oversee:

Urban Permaculture -- Group independent study F09

Research
I am currently writing a book based on long-term research in Thailand. Tentatively titled, The Ordination of a Tree: Buddhism, Development, and Environmentalism in Thailand , the book examines the engagement of Buddhist monks in rural development and environmental issues, primarily in Northern Thailand. I look at how they interpret and apply Buddhist concepts in their efforts to relieve suffering caused by rapid economic growth and consumerism.

See segment of PBS's Religion and Ethics Newsweekly on my work:

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/january-15-2010/forest-monks/5472/

I also work on human rights issues in Burma, particularly among the Karen, an ethnic minority along the Thai-Burma border.

I oversee Hampshire's Tibetan Studies Program.

Division I :
Finishing Div I

Division 2:
Rebecca Abrams

Archie Zietman

Anthony Thomas

Sam Rosenblum

Acadia Jacob

Nara Williams

Michael Drucker

Kyra Brisson

Ngawang Lodoe

Kitso Wangdi

Maris Gelman

Division 3:
Sam Burris-DeBoskey

Grace Donahue

Anne Kohler

Cassidy Schlager

Anthony Thomas

Rebecca Siegel (member)

Beyond Courses
Director of Hampshire's Tibetan Studies Program

Member of Five College Buddhist Studies Faculty