Depth and Breadth at HDS

Jason Smith, MTS ’13, ThD ‘20, Assistant Professor of Religion, Mercer University (Macon, GA)

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Describe the work you do today:

I am a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Religion at Mercer University in Macon, GA. I teach introductory courses on Hinduism and Buddhism and, more broadly, on Asian religions and world religions. I also teach writing instruction courses and in Mercer’s Great Books program. My research focuses on South Asian religions, particularly the religious and literary history of premodern South India. My current book project focuses on the Tirukkural (“Sacred Verses”), one of the most enduring literary works ever composed in the Tamil language. Examining a number of ancient and modern sources that cite, interpret, or otherwise engage with this text, the book shows how poets, commentators, religious leaders, and political activists over time have used the Tirukkural to construct a coherent sense of Tamil identity grounded in ideas about what it means to be a religious person in South India.

How has your HDS degree experience influenced your career journey?

The Master of Theological Studies experience solidified my interest in research and teaching and confirmed that I wanted to pursue a career in academia; the Doctor of Theology experience gave me the skills and training I needed to successfully obtain that career. The breadth of the HDS course offerings stands out in particular. While we are hyper-specialized as researchers and contribute to a narrowly defined subfield, many of the academic jobs available (including my own) require one to teach far beyond their area of specialization. Though a South Asianist by training, I regularly teach courses dealing with East Asian religions, biblical studies, and Islam. The breadth of my HDS coursework prepared me exceptionally well for the reality of university teaching beyond the Ivy League.

What career advice would you offer to current HDS students?

For those seeking a career in academia and university teaching, take advantage of the fact that HDS provides you with depth and breadth. Of course, take as many courses as possible in your desired area of focus, but don’t let that stop you from taking a course on a completely different topic that just seems interesting. You never know when what you learned in “African Religions” or “Introduction to the New Testament” might come in handy. Take advantage of the many opportunities to get involved in community life at HDS as well. My experiences attending events planned by the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life over the years unexpectedly prepared me for helping my university develop a baccalaureate service that more accurately reflected and respected the diversity of religious perspectives represented within our student body. Without knowing it at the time, attending these events gave me tools and inculcated habits of thinking that allowed me to articulate what a multifaith, pluralistic baccalaureate service could look like to my colleagues at Mercer.