2797 Southwestern University: Profile

Religion

Kenneth Mello

Assistant Professor of Religion

Areas of expertise
I am a specialist in Native American religious studies, and am particularly interested in narrative/folklore, issues of identity, and the active role of land and landscape in native religious activity

My approach to the study of Religion can be termed an 'integrated approach,' which is a cornerstone for the study of Native American traditions.  The integrated approach requires interdisciplinary expertise and the use of cultural context, and therefore requires the integration of areas such as history, gender studies, anthropology, sociology, and government to fully understand the ways in which religious activity wholly permeates the lives of Native Americans.  It also requires direct contact and interaction with native communities, and I try to integrate what I learn from community interaction as much as possible into the classroom experience for students.  My courses are designed around the notion that most students know very little about contemporary Native Americans, and my goal is to get students to move outside of stereotypical ideas and try to understand native religious traditions and concepts within their own internal frameworks and contexts.  I ask students to rethink linear, temporal religious orientation and to begin to understand a circular, spatial religious orientation.  My goal is to offer courses which will introduce students to Native American traditions at both the philosophical and practical level.


Education

PhD, The University of California, Santa Barbara 2003
M.A., The University of Arizona 1996
M.A., Colgate University 1994
B.A., Colgate University 1992

Positions

Assistant Professor of Religion
University of Vermont
August 01, 2004 - June 01, 2009

Assistant Professor of Native Studies
The University of Minnesota, Duluth
August 01, 2002 - June 01, 2004

Doctoral Fellow in Native American Studies
The University of Maine, Orono
August 01, 2000 - June 01, 2002

Research

My current research focuses on contemporary Native American religious identity, particularly among native people and communities located in urban settings.  I am also interested in the intersection between Native American religion and "place", as well as the role of animals in Native American narratives.  In the future, I would also like to engage a project on contemporary Native American music and identity.

Interests

Marathon running, weight training, reading, baseball (go Red Sox!), football

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