New BYU/CES Religious Curriculum

[Jeff Lebowski]

BYU and the entire CES system (at the college/institute level) abandoning the current standards works approach and adopting a new thematic approach to religion courses. The new set of topics:

1. Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel: A study of the Savior and His roles in Heavenly Father’s plan as taught across all the standard works
2. Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon: A study of the teachings and doctrine of the Book of Mormon with emphasis on the Savior’s ministry
3. Foundations of the Restoration: A study of the key revelations, doctrine, people, and events of the Restoration
4. The Eternal Family: A study of the central role of the family in the plan of salvation as taught in the scriptures and the words of modem prophets

Interestingly, most of the BYU religion faculty were against it, but it carried anyway. Here is a scathing response from Bill Hamblin:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/enigmat...on-curriculum/

I understand that the faculty of Ancient Scripture initially voted 33 to 1 against this proposal. (The rumor is, the Dean has decided to change the name of their department to “Ancient Prooftexters.” Note: the previous sentence is a joke.)

Personally, I find this new curriculum appalling. It will result in the further decay of scriptural literacy–already a significant problem among the Saints. Scripture study in the Church has now become nothing more than completely decontextualized proof-texting. There is, practically speaking, no further institutional support by the Church for the actual study of scripture–as opposed to Church doctrine, devotion and daily application.

Another response:

http://timesandseasons.org/index.php...es-curriculum/

[creekster]

BYU and the entire CES system (at the college/institute level) abandoning the current standards works approach and adopting a new thematic approach to religion courses. The new set of topics:

1. Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel: A study of the Savior and His roles in Heavenly Father’s plan as taught across all the standard works
2. Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon: A study of the teachings and doctrine of the Book of Mormon with emphasis on the Savior’s ministry
3. Foundations of the Restoration: A study of the key revelations, doctrine, people, and events of the Restoration
4. The Eternal Family: A study of the central role of the family in the plan of salvation as taught in the scriptures and the words of modem prophets

Interestingly, most of the BYU religion faculty were against it, but it carried anyway. Here is a scathing response from Bill Hamblin:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/enigmat...on-curriculum/



Another response:

http://timesandseasons.org/index.php...es-curriculum/

I have to admit I find those topics to be fine ideas, but they are disappointing as the sole study approach for the scriptures. After all, where will they fit in JS's polygamy?

[byu71]

BYU and the entire CES system (at the college/institute level) abandoning the current standards works approach and adopting a new thematic approach to religion courses. The new set of topics:

1. Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel: A study of the Savior and His roles in Heavenly Father’s plan as taught across all the standard works
2. Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon: A study of the teachings and doctrine of the Book of Mormon with emphasis on the Savior’s ministry
3. Foundations of the Restoration: A study of the key revelations, doctrine, people, and events of the Restoration
4. The Eternal Family: A study of the central role of the family in the plan of salvation as taught in the scriptures and the words of modem prophets

Interestingly, most of the BYU religion faculty were against it, but it carried anyway. Here is a scathing response from Bill Hamblin:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/enigmat...on-curriculum/



Another response:

http://timesandseasons.org/index.php...es-curriculum/

Most of the faculty was against it, but it carried anyway?? That doesn't bode well for those that hope some structural changes will be made to allow BYU's FB program to get to the next level.

[thesaint258]

BYU and the entire CES system (at the college/institute level) abandoning the current standards works approach and adopting a new thematic approach to religion courses. The new set of topics:

1. Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel: A study of the Savior and His roles in Heavenly Father’s plan as taught across all the standard works
2. Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon: A study of the teachings and doctrine of the Book of Mormon with emphasis on the Savior’s ministry
3. Foundations of the Restoration: A study of the key revelations, doctrine, people, and events of the Restoration
4. The Eternal Family: A study of the central role of the family in the plan of salvation as taught in the scriptures and the words of modem prophets

Interestingly, most of the BYU religion faculty were against it, but it carried anyway. Here is a scathing response from Bill Hamblin:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/enigmat...on-curriculum/



Another response:

http://timesandseasons.org/index.php...es-curriculum/

We'll see how the new approach is implemented, so I'm not sure if it will be a good thing or not, but I find the scriptural literacy argument to be underwhelming. My religious education at BYU was pretty pathetic. Most of my teachers (Dr. Warner excepted) were more concerned with background information (such as what life was like for those living in Jerusalem at Jesus' time) or doing the bare minimum. Given my experience, I wouldn't say that scriptural literacy was an emphasis at all. I wish they'd have a more rigorous religion curriculum. I don't think they should make it a requirement for every student, but I think that they should have something more than "How many people went to the tree of life in Lehi's dream" for those who want to really learn about it. Unfortunately, I doubt this thematic approach will do that.

[Sullyute]

Maybe this shows my ignorance, but I always assumed that it was the BYU faculty that was writing this stuff in the first place. If they voted against it, who are the people that are actually writing this material? And if it is the correlation committee, who is actually on this correction committee and what are their bona fides? Does anyone know?

[SCcoug]

Seems terrible for an academic approach. The BYU religion credits are valuable because you can talk about and approach scriptural subjects from a place you won't get in church classes. #4 especially seems like a topic you'd cover over a class period or two not the whole semester. I guess the Church will be firmly anti-gay for the foreseeable future.

I know the old SS/youth curriculum wasn't well liked but at least they touched on parts of scripture you don't' generally get to. Now there won't be any systematic study of the standard works in SS, YM/YW and seminary/institute and now at BYU. I think that's a problem.

[byu71]

Does this mean Scouting 101 will be dropped from the curriculum?

[SCcoug]

Does this mean Scouting 101 will be dropped from the curriculum?

Wrong department. The scouting education degree is from the Department of Recreation Management and Youth Leadership.

[byu71]

Wrong department. The scouting education degree is from the Department of Recreation Management and Youth Leadership.

I guess it was dropped long ago. I was a couple hours short of the religion requirement and so couldn't get my degree. Utah accepted me into their MBA program anyway, provided when I showed up in the fall I had the degree.

I took Scouting 101 via home study (or whatever it's called) that summer to fulfill the religion requirement and get my degree. I am so glad I didn't flunk that meaningful class and not got my degree. It could have been a real set back for me and my family.

[TripletDaddy]

Simply put, students will no longer be offered an Old Testament class, D&C class, New testament class, etc?

[Uncle Ted]

BYU and the entire CES system (at the college/institute level) abandoning the current standards works approach and adopting a new thematic approach to religion courses. The new set of topics:

1. Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel: A study of the Savior and His roles in Heavenly Father’s plan as taught across all the standard works
2. Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon: A study of the teachings and doctrine of the Book of Mormon with emphasis on the Savior’s ministry
3. Foundations of the Restoration: A study of the key revelations, doctrine, people, and events of the Restoration
4. The Eternal Family: A study of the central role of the family in the plan of salvation as taught in the scriptures and the words of modem prophets

Interestingly, most of the BYU religion faculty were against it, but it carried anyway. Here is a scathing response from Bill Hamblin:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/enigmat...on-curriculum/

I understand that the faculty of Ancient Scripture initially voted 33 to 1 against this proposal. (The rumor is, the Dean has decided to change the name of their department to “Ancient Prooftexters.” Note: the previous sentence is a joke.)


Personally, I find this new curriculum appalling. It will result in the further decay of scriptural literacy–already a significant problem among the Saints. Scripture study in the Church has now become nothing more than completely decontextualized proof-texting. There is, practically speaking, no further institutional support by the Church for the actual study of scripture–as opposed to Church doctrine, devotion and daily application.

Another response:

http://timesandseasons.org/index.php...es-curriculum/

So is the one that voted for this the new Dean?

[LVAllen]

So does that mean that the Religion Department is finally getting the message that the faculty are not, in fact, considered scholars, and are more like glorified Gospel Doctrine instructors? A message students have failed to communicate for 40+ years?

[Moliere]

I have to admit I find those topics to be fine ideas, but they are disappointing as the sole study approach for the scriptures. After all, where will they fit in JS's polygamy?

Anyone know if IKEA delivers to the gibbon's head because I might be here awhile and could use a futon.

[Uncle Ted]

Simply put, students will no longer be offered an Old Testament class, D&C class, New testament class, etc?

This is a bummer... I didn't know things like there were kick*ss women prophets (or "prophetess") in the church until I took Old Testament.

[TripletDaddy]

it was bragworthy to tell others that you were able to get a spot in Susan Easton Black's Church History class. Now students wont know that thrill.