Graduating Senior Spotlight: Tenzin Kunsang

Which CLA class or professor has had the biggest impact on you? Why?

CNRC 3082W - Greek Tragedy in Translation. Professor Douglas Olson is half-comedian, half-scholar when he teaches. He's so rigorous and truly wants you to learn something, but he's very lighthearted and understanding. His classes are comparative/interdisciplinary by nature, you'll read a play composed in the 5th century BCE, then watch a movie from the 1950s, and discuss them in conjunction. His discussions are the most thoughtful and engaging ones I've been in. Students are not merely expected to voice their ideas and move on, but defend them, often in response to Professor Olson, who will offer a counterargument or another student’s disagreement. 

I think about previous classes where we've had very quiet or boring discussions because students all agree on something and are either afraid of or inattentive to the possibility of disagreement. I learned a lot from disagreeing with my classmates and with my professor, but I also learned a lot from their disagreeing with me. There’s no echo chamber in any room Douglas Olson is in. 

What course would you recommend for other students in your major? And for students outside of your major, what course would be a good introduction to what you study?

This goes for students in or outside of the major, but I would recommend any course taught by Douglas Olson, Ranjani Atur, or Charles McNamara. They not only change the way you think about literature, religion, and philosophy, but they also challenge your perspective. If you're looking for an easy class where you don't have to think, do not take their classes. On the other hand, if you are looking for a class worth your money and time, take theirs. If you don't want to learn in a vacuum, if you want a shift in your perspective, these are the professors to go to. 

For an introduction, I would recommend CNRC 1002 - World of Greece or CNRC 1003 - World of Rome. A popular class is also CNRC 1042 - Greek and Roman Mythology, which I never took but wish I did! In any case, the faculty here are very knowledgeable and want you to succeed. Noah Segal is also a recently hired faculty member who is teaching some new and exciting courses on Pompeii and ancient justice systems!

For English, I would highly recommend any class with Rebecca Krug. I took ENGL 3007 - Shakespeare with her, and it was one of the most engaging and insightful classes I had in the department. I am also in ENGL 3161 - Victorian Literatures and Cultures right now with Brian Goldberg, who is similarly a great professor. He pushes you and is a great facilitator of discussions.

Tell us about a class you still think a lot about.

I loved CNRC 3018W - Ancient Ethics with Charles McNamara! I still think about Socrates almost every day. You get to read a lot of canonical texts in ancient philosophy, but also some modern authors like Julia Annas and Alastair MacIntyre. I started an Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) project on Plato and Aristotle after I took the course because it was so embedded in my mind. I continue to think about the “Forms,” character, and virtue. In his De Officiis, Cicero quotes Plato saying, “and if [the face of Moral Goodness] could be seen with the physical eye, it would awaken a marvellous love of wisdom.” This class and Charley, in a way, did that for me.

What is one aspect of your major or minor that has surprised you? What do you wish more people understood about what you study?

The way your understanding of language changes when you take Latin or classical Greek. Especially for native English speakers, these languages are so foundational to English, and learning how they work has immensely improved my writing and grammar skills. Did you know that more than half of the English vocabulary is influenced by the Latin language? Or that English is about 10-15% influenced by Ancient Greek? It doesn’t sound like a lot, but it’s more than 100,000 words! I did German in high school, and I hated it at the time, but after learning how to appreciate the beauty in dissecting a language or a word, I find the prospect of going back to German exciting!

What are some ways you have found community within your major/minor department(s)? 

I co-founded the Ancient Drama Club with my friend Dina, and it's been the best. What started as a small thing for just a couple of friends formed strong bonds. We put on Euripides' Bacchae last fall, and that was such a fun opportunity to garner a space for non-majors to engage with classics. It was also really fun to stage an ancient play. We got our own costumes, I wrote the music, and we had an amazing cast of freshmen. Sometimes, professors even come to our events, which is a great way to connect with your department outside of the classroom. 

I think the community has been the greatest part of being a classics major. It’s such a small department that you become close with other students and professors. Even though UMN is a Big Ten university with tens of thousands of students, being a classics student really makes you feel like you're at a small liberal arts college.

Is there an app you hate but use anyways?

Twitter (Currently X).

If you could be any member on a TV show, who would you be?

Daenerys Targaryen.