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Agustinus Sutiono

head shot of Agustinus SutionoMy Research - 'The politics of belief in the unseen world: materiality, power, agency and identity in the Javanese cosmology of society'

Born and bred among the Javanese in the island of Java-Indonesia, I find myself becoming part of a society which regards religious practices so highly. Some people live with their traditional beliefs. Some others adhere to the new coming religions, the mainstream religions. Unfortunately, the government policy on religion has made the former unheard, unconsidered, only secretly practiced. I am interested to research an aspect of these Javanese traditional religious practices so call the wong pinter, a term for the Javanese specialists in spiritualism. Their roles are many, involved in different areas but their existence is severely debated. Furthermore, though their phenomenon is so popular, an academic study on it has not been done. My research is going to explore their nature and simultaneously aims at reifying their significance.

 

Why did you choose this programme at this University?

I found out that York St John University has a distinct department on Theology in Public Life in which religious Studies is part of it. Based on this and also the availability of supervisors who have interests in my research, I decided to choose this university as the place of my study.

 

How long have you been studying at YSJ?

I started the programme on 1st of October 2009 so I have been studying at York St John University for a year.

 

How did you find combining your 'work & home' life with your studies?

Well, I am lucky in this matter since my arrival in this great country is for a purpose: studying. So I hardly find so much work at home. The ministry that I do have to do, as I am also a Catholic priest who is not assisting at English Martyrs Church in Walworth-London, does not take so much time of my study. I use most of my time in the Library in the afternoon. Most parochial services are done in the morning so there is no difficulty thus far.

 

What did you find most helpful about the programme, resources, staff, and university?

In my opinion, the programme is very well set up, the staff are very hand to assist the students. However, my place of stay makes me use the University library infrequently. This University has a very good system of supervision.

 

What is the best things about being a student at YSJ?

What can I say. I find that students have a powerful voice that helps the whole elements of university improve their dedication.

 

If you have completed the programme has gaining a degree affected your decision about your career?

I am going to find a job of my dreams: teaching about religious studies at a University and working for inter-religious dialogue.

 

Any other comments about any aspect of your time at YSJ?

I enjoyed so much studying at York St John University though I live in London. The University gives me a widely open chance to sue sources from my previous school, SOAS. So I just need to travel to York once a month unless there are important meetings in between. The student support team is excellent.