These are anonymous comments from former students about their experiences taking Dr. Miller’s courses and submitted as part of the semesterly evaluation process. Full, official, institutional-administered evaluations are available upon request.
You may contact Dr. Miller at jmiller@westarinstitute.org.
Critique of Religion (Introduction to Religion)
(undergraduate, introductory level, general education requirement)
“From the first day, I knew the class was going to be special – I loved many of the readings, and the discussions in class. I truly believe the class shifted my original perspectives, and aided my comprehension skills. It made me question myself on how the world works, and reevaluate my prior knowledge. I deeply enjoyed the discussions on social justice and liberation as well.”
Political Theology and Black Lives Matter:
(undergraduate and graduate, upper level, elective)
“No other course has taken the mercy mission as seriously as Dr. Miller’s course on #BlackLivesMatter. This course has been a synthesis of theoretical work, lived experience, music, art, and so much more. It has called us to expand our knowledge into the underpinnings of, arguably, the most prominent American social movement of our lifetime. The course unapologetically raised questions related to mercy, demanding us to put our values into perspective. A persistent theme was, as the movement’s name suggests, observing the humanity of the oppressed. Learning about the movement for black lives has taught me to think critically about race-related issues in the United States, both on an individual and systemic level. The nuance with which we interrogated these pressing issues was complimented by a continuous discussion about application and lived experience – areas that were given life through our study of the ongoing activism itself. Applying political theology to social movement has helped me understand and be creative in thinking the world anew, as it might be. The mercy mission is a forward-reaching statement that pushes us beyond every boundary of completion. This course has taught me that the striving for a world that is harmonious, just, and merciful is an ONGOING activity that thrives off its own progression. Every step of progress opens up a myriad of new possibilities for how we might be better. Salve claims to do this. #BlackLivesMatter gives an example of how it’s being done. I have endless praise for our class discussions, Dr. Miller’s encouragement of us to think critically and generatively about our own thoughts, and the course content delved into the related areas with a depth that made creative thinking come naturally. The best, however, were the guests Dr. Miller invited who were involved in the movement or are professors of religion who have published or are formulating ideas about the theological underpinnings of the movement. It was incredible to have numerous voices to give even more life to what we are studying. I must also say that this course has been as deeply impactful as it has been challenging. I have struggled through this class, and I mean that in the most positive way possible. I will leave Salve with a different view of the world, with more motivation to speak out against injustice and to be an ally to those that must fight for their humanity where I take mine for granted. This is the only class that has demanded that I generate new ideas. Most of my classes in the past have asked me to synthesize, interpret, compare and contrast, etc. While Dr. Miller’s course definitely rested on these foundational approaches, he has taught us to move beyond mere regurgitation to create ideas and even new frameworks for thinking about the world, politics, and so on. I have learned more from one class in one semester than I have in all the courses I have taken thus far.”
“I liked that this class allowed us to be vulnerable and vocal regarding our opinions. In addition, I appreciated that it educated us on things we thought we knew. While the class reconfirmed things I already knew, it also did a great deal in revamping my worldview. I had to read A LOT for this class but this each reading was so in-depth that I always wanted to keep reading the material. In addition, Dr. Miller would always push to think harder about topics by questioning us until we were enlightened.”
“This course provided me with history and insight to topics that many would rather just avoid. I liked how it helped me discover more of who I am and more of who I want to be. What I disliked was that it had to end. Being a minority I have been able to identify with the struggle from black lives matter, and we can actually talk about it in this class. Dr. Miller truly is a fantastic professor, thoughtful and encouraging. I am going to miss this class, it’s the best class I have taken at Salve”
“The class was not in its own little bubble. Dr Miller always made the subjects and topics relate to our university and this allowed us to point out injustice on our campus when we see it and not remain silent. Dr. Miller has encouraged us to be more passionate involved citizens who care about the world and strive for equity and justice. He inspires us never to be comfortable with a truth, to always question, to think critically, to desire to become a good human being, and to act when we see injustice rather than participate in the injustice by watching and letting it happen.”
“Dr. Miller has encouraged my intellectual growth by helping me to think beyond my understanding of race, in order to better address racial tensions among my fellow students. His ability to get white students to understand the severity of racial injustices (both past and present) makes him a key asset to this university. He has helped me to think about my whiteness in such a way that I now realize the privileges I hold for being white. No other professor has even come close to addressing the issue of white privilege in any course that I’ve taken at Salve. Dr. Miller shows through example how a person can use their privileged position to bring attention to issues that are harming others. In doing so, he has shown us the way in which to create that ‘harmonious, just, and merciful world’ that our mission statement strives to achieve. Without this class, I can honestly say that I would not have been challenged to think critically about racial issues AT ALL in my time here. This course should be a required core course for all students.”
“Dr. Miller helped me to adopt alternative thinking and to understand theology in a new way. He encouraged me and the class to think creatively and to own our own ideas. His passion for justice and mercy has influenced me greatly throughout this course and previous courses. He has helped me to become a global citizen of the world and has revealed to me the importance of being an active member in society by acting, learning, and connecting with others. Because of him I feel prepared for further pursuit of learning, decision-making, and advocacy upon issues that concern all of humankind.”
Utopianism:
(undergraduate, upper level, elective)
“My professor and my cohort of classmates challenged me to do something constructive with the material we were engaging with. If not for this challenging environment, I would not have been as likely to complete the research that I did. This course has prepared me to continue as a lifelong learner.”
“This class opened my eyes to the potential for the creation of new worlds where all are welcome. It taught me to see beneath the surface and look at how to deal with the problems of this world.”
“The best part of the course was the way in which our discussions flowed freely and openly. By not having a distinct agenda for each class, the professor was able to address our observations and questions more broadly as they arose. Thus, our discussions were truly a journey and never boring or repetitive. The professor never read the material to us or presumed that we had no interest in doing the work. Therefore, he treated us as intellectual equals that were engaged with the material, rather than as disinterested students that needed to be read to in class (many other professors insult our intelligence in this way). There is not one aspect of this course that was not insightful or helpful in developing our understanding of the material and its application to the broader world around us. I would not recommend that anything be changed at all.”
“It is impossible to single out the best part of this course. Arguably, this is the best course I have ever taken. However, I was particularly attracted to Dr. Miller’s ability to engage with challenging and often provocative subjects in a constructive way. Additionally, our small class size allowed us to discuss with each other in and out of class. I was constantly thinking through the material as a result, an exhilarating habit that I think we all felt. The readings were also an ingredient for the class’s overall success. Dr. Miller chose a host of articles, books, and films to give us a spectrum of perspectives to think about. Having so much material only made me want to seek out more. I worked harder for this class than any other because I have never had so much material to talk about.”
“I liked the social dynamic of the classroom that allowed for intellectual inquiry, debate, and worthwhile discussion. The balance of assigned reading/viewing and individual research fostered a structured classroom environment along with ample space for personal academic development. The online discussion board really made this class a constant during my semester – it’s as if class never really ended and allowed for an extensive exchange of ideas. I can’t think of anything that I didn’t like about this course.”
“The professor has encouraged my intellectual growth by taking the time to listen to my observations and questions and explain to me the ways in which I can enhance what I already know. He gives feedback in such a way as to affirm my observations, while also pointing me in the next direction that I should consider, in order to continue learning outside of the classroom.”
“This class was a challenge in that it forced me to think and reflect on the material being taught. At the same time, I found myself greatly enjoying what I was learning. I was opened up to a new realm of possibilities while being challenged to reflect on them and think critically about them. As students, we were also able to drive the discussion and focus in on what we were interested in discussing rather than simply being lectured at.”
“This course not only allowed me to grow and progress as an intellectual, but as an autonomous, social individual. It has helped me become more aware of the influence and power I have to make a difference with the right kind of effort directed in the right way. This was not only a course on utopia, dystopia, and terror, but also course on learning to become a better human being in the world we live in today.”
American Radicalism and Resistance Since the ’60s:
(undergraduate, senior requirement)
“Dr. Miller slowly introduced foreign ideas to us since the beginning of the course and helped us understand in our wake of revelation towards the foreign idea. He was patient with our intellectual capabilities and helped us push our ideas to become more complex. He helped us all see that we have the power to do something as well, since many others knew that they had to do the right thing because no one else would. Overall, it was a great course to embark into the post-bachelor world. He helped me think more critically and independently. Now i do to rely solely on authority figures, and instead i do my research to form my own opinion on the subject in question. I feel more prepared to graduate because of this course.”
“Dr. Miller has encouraged my intellectual growth by encouraging me to research those topics with which I am not entirely familiar and to be active in my pursuit of the Mercy Mission. He never hesitates to answer any of my questions or to guide me in my intellectual pursuits. He challenges students, both in and out of the classroom, to be active in fighting against injustices. He is the only professor that engages the students with the notion of creating harmonious, just, and merciful worlds. He is also the only professor willing to teach controversial or interdisciplinary courses, which makes all of his classes a worthwhile investment.”
“I liked how it took me out of my comfort zone, intellectually and spiritually. I disliked how uncomfortable some of the content was but it was merely because I hadn’t talked about this type of content anywhere else before, so overall I don’t think I disliked much about the course in general. Dr. Miller let out class think and speak freely, keeping us grounded even when discussing controversial topics. It was a learning roller coaster and it expanded my way of perceiving the world.”
Engaging the Buddhist Experience:
(undergraduate, upper level, general education elective)
“I didn’t like the amount of work I had to do for this class or the books we had to read. I was about five minutes from dropping the class and never looking back. But, coming out of this class, I actually really enjoyed it. I loved the conversations we had. I enjoyed most of the books we read. When I participated, I felt like it was welcomed and I wasn’t as scared as I always had been to do so. With the participation I did in this class, it actually influenced my ability to start participating in my other classes. I felt like I could never participate because I would always be wrong or I would be judged on what I said, but after taking this class I don’t feel as scared to voice my opinion anymore. This class constantly made me think.”
“I was able to express any confusion I had about the material without feeling embarrassed or not saying anything at all. The environment was very comfortable in our class and we all worked together as a team to learn and grow.”
“I’ve become a stronger writer and reader. I’ve also become a lot more confident in my work.”
“I liked how the professor was thoroughly organized, and how the class was much more about student communication than simply sitting in class and taking notes.”
“This was one of my favorite courses due to the complete originality of the material, the way the course was run, and the teaching style. This course had me 100% intrigued from start to finish, and I enjoyed so much the readings and writings which were done every class. I feel like I really grew as a person from start to finish and found myself more emotional than probably any other class I have taken. Dr. Miller is one of my new favorite professors due to his originality in teaching, amount of knowledge on the subject, and great way of getting students excited about the material. I don’t think I have ever been in a class where people talk this much and want to participate. I feel like my way of thinking has definitely expanded in many ways from this class.”
“I really enjoyed how the class was set up differently by emphasizing reading, writing, and discussing. I especially liked the field trip to the Zen Monastery.”
“This course changed the way I see religion and the way I see reality. It has made me want to do more for others and to genuinely find peace within myself and within the struggles in my life. Dr. Miller is the best professor I have ever had, he makes education come to life. He allows me to think for myself as a student and takes any questions. This course has made thinking for myself much more possible. We had deep discussions that applied what we read, but also applied to our lives.”
“Dr. Miller is a phenomenal professor, who is visibly knowledgeable and passionate about the subject matter. He has an astonishing ability to engage the class and stimulate conversation. I learned a tremendous amount throughout my time in his class.”
“This course has helped me to open my mind to more cultures and religions. I learned a great deal about Buddhism and thoroughly enjoyed this class. Dr. Miller is an incredible professor, and as an education major, I loved his teaching style. He is very understanding and truly cares about his students learning the material that he is teaching about. He is passionate about the course, and I wish I had been able to take more courses with him!”
Christian Ethics and Social Issues (Christian Social Ethics):
(undergraduate, upper level, general education)
“This course helped me think about things that I will encounter in everyday life in a completely different way from what I previously thought.”
“I think this instructor challenged every student to think critically and see the world from a new perspective.”
“I didn’t like that this course made me question everything I ever believed in but at the same time that was what was so great about it.”
“…taking a class like ‘Christian Ethics and Social Issues’ is not only a great addition to my major, but should be mandatory.”
“I am very happy that I chose to enroll in this class. Along with my social work classes, I can truly say that this is one of the most meaningful courses one can take. I have been able to really dabble in the things that are of most importance to me and increased my self-awareness. My critical thinking skills have been enhanced, I no longer look at things at face value, I am keener to identify other perspectives, and actually question things.”
“This course and the instructor have really helped me realize that there is more than one side to a situation and that feeling uncomfortable about a situation or a topic is a good thing because it makes you think more and it helps you reach outside of your comfort zone.”
“My world view is completely changed after this semester. I dreaded mostly all of the work that we did, but looking back I would not have chosen another class. My major is not related to Religious and Theological Studies in any way but I know that I will carry everything that I learned with me into my career.”
“This course has fostered the critical thinking skills that are crucial to engaging with work in any field or subject. Studying with Dr. Miller helped me find a deep interest in Religious and Theological Studies.”
Christianity in Dialogue with World Religions:
(undergraduate, introductory level, general education)
“This course has really benefited me, to say the least. I think that I have developed a new way of thinking, a new approach to dealing with conflict and possibly a way to help the world. I think that everyone should take this class and become exposed to the topics we cover. I would have never thought this way before, this class really opens up your paradigm and teaches you a life lesson.”
“This class taught me about the religions of the world, not in a criticizing way but in a way to understand them. Being able to understand how these religions work, helps understand what is going on in the world around us. Understanding also helps make the world a little better because instead of being arrogant and just disagreeing with everyone outside of your comfort zone, this class encourages you to step outside, look around and learn something from it all.”
Emerging Theologies (Liberation Theology):
(undergraduate, upper level, general education elective)
“I really enjoy the reading, class lectures, and class discussions. I especially enjoyed being responsible for knowing certain material and leading the class discussion. The films were also a more creative way of learning about the different topics.”
“Theology has changed the way I live.”
“This class not only discussed important social and global issues, but it also had an emphasis on the different solutions to problems such as poverty and wether or not they were really working. This course made me think a great deal about how to make the world a more harmonious, just, and merciful place not only though discussing the prevalent problems in the world but also the solutions.”
“Miller provides challenging material to read, but also ample time in class to process and digest these writers. He encourages students to think for themselves and to take a deeper look into their own beliefs.”
Engaging the Muslim Experience:
(undergraduate, upper level, general education elective)
“I like the set up of this course. It allowed for truly independent thought and original ideas to be formulated. I appreciate all that professor Miller did in order to encourage that.”
“Class discussions in this class were always surprising…I stopped trying to predict exactly where Prof. Miller was going to take us that day. Because of this, the class was never dull, and we were always exploring ideas and concepts that I never would have gone into on my own. Combined with the eclectic reading list, this class was exceptionally rich. No complaints at all.”
“He challenged us every class to become better and more constructive thinkers. Our class discussions were very interesting and I always feel so proud of how much I have progressed in this class mentally.”
“Prof Miller creates a comfortable setting for his students by teaching through class discussions rather than simply lecturing. He directs and redirects the conversation to force us to think more critically about certain topics or challenging ideas, but opens the floor for questions so that everyone’s voice is heard. Prof Miller is one of the best professors I’ve had at this university over the past 4 years. His classes are theological, philosophical, and sociological.”
“Professor Miller goes way beyond the call of duty when it comes to ‘encouraging intellectual growth and progress.’ He is the most invested professor I have ever had; his commitment to his field and to his students shines through in every interaction I have ever had with him. I am very grateful to have taken this class.”
Existentialism and Religion:
(undergraduate, upper level, elective)
“I enjoy the discussion-based sessions of this course. We as students are not lectured at but rather participate in the conversation continuously. We learn more this way. We don’t simply memorize facts. The debates are fantastic.”
“I appreciated that it was a serious challenge — not an ‘easy A’ class, but I really think that more (or even all) upper level religion and philosophy courses should be structured similarly. I felt challenged and by the end of the course realized that I had learned a lot.”
“Miller is an unusually good professor. I would absolutely take any course he offered.”
miller.jordan.e
Jordan E. Miller, Ph.D. 