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Posted by: Sean N ® 01/22/2002, 16:52:15 Author Profile Mail author |
I sometimes watch the BYU channel on television. They have a series which comes on a few times a day; it is called "book of mormon discussions." Four, sometimes five, professors of ancient scripture (usually Robert Millet, Camille Fronk, Robert Matthews, Monte Nyman; sometimes the number and names vary) discuss the book of mormon. It is all faith-promoting, and they never seem to attempt a scientific approach to any subject whatsoever (which I would not usually expect from University professors). What is meant by "ancient scripture" at BYU? Is it a department which studies only mormon scriptures? Is it an advanced LDS Institute? Do they study also other Ancient Scriptures from other religions and traditions? I can't seem to find much info about the nature of that Department at the BYU website, so I am curious if anyone out there in hyperreality has any answers...
thanks SN |
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Department of Ancient Scripture Re: Ancient Scripture -- Sean N Top of thread Archive
Posted by: Alf Omega ®
01/22/2002, 18:12:14
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The Department of Ancient Scripture in the College of Religious Education at Brigham Young University teaches about the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Pearl of Great Price. The regularly offered courses are: 121, 122. Introduction to the Book of Mormon.
Sequential study of the doctrines, principles, and narrative of the Book of Mormon. RelA 121 covers 1 Nephi through Alma 29. RelA 122 covers Alma 30 through Moroni 10.211, 212. The New Testament.
RelA 211 deals with the Gospels. RelA 212 deals with the Book of Acts, the Epistles, and the Apocalypse (Revelation).301, 302. The Old Testament.
Introduction to the structure and teachings of the Old Testament. RelA 301 covers Genesis through 2 Samuel. RelA 302 covers 1 Kings through Malachi.304. Writings of Isaiah.
Historical, prophetic, doctrinal, and literary values of Isaiah, emphasizing latter-day interpretation and application.314. Historical Background of the Bible.
Historical and cultural contexts out of which the Old and New Testaments derive.315. Keys to Scripture Study.
A guide to more effective scripture study through consideration of principles, concepts, skills, study aids, and sources common to all of the standard works.320. History and Contribution of Joseph Smith's Translation of the Bible.
Historical significance of Joseph Smith's translation of the Bible, its relationship to the other standard works, and its doctrinal contributions.327. The Pearl of Great Price.
Origin and content of the Pearl of Great Price.
I was interested to read this description of the department's chairman:Daniel K Judd is currently Associate Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Ancient Scripture. Professor Judd holds a PhD in Counseling Psychology and an MS in Family Science. In addition to teaching and his duties as Department Chair, Professor Judd's research emphasis is on the relationship of religion and mental health.I find it fascinating that 1) an associate professor would hold a department chair and that 2) his professional qualifications would have no apparent connection with ancient languages or literature. Perhaps someone with more experience in academia could give us a better idea of how rare this is or is not.
Modified by Alf Omega at Tue, Jan 22, 2002, 18:16:47
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Re: Department of Ancient Scripture Re: Department of Ancient Scripture -- Alf Omega Top of thread Archive
Posted by: someone ®
01/22/2002, 20:06:47
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I was going to put a link to the faculty page but it appears to be down currently. When it comes to religious education at BYU its really a mixed bag as far as qualifactions go. Consider 30K students are required to complete 14 religion credit hours to graduate; thats a lot of classes. So many of the classes are taught by professors in completely unrelated fields, engineering etc. who have fun taking on a religion class. It's easy though however, to find a professor with a related phd if thats what you really want--I always made sure of it. All except one professor I took from held PH.d's in related fields from schools such as Harvard or Berkely. Really, its irrelevant as the course material is not scholarly. Most of the time the text if any is the CES publications. Please someone correct me if I'm wrong but I don't believe any type of degree is offered in Religious studies. You don't take religion courses the same way take engineering courses. There is no emphesis on method, its mostly memorization. You are not instructed on how to approach the scriptures academically (there are a 'few' 500-600 level courses, and perhaps its different for those). So the religion program is certainly pretty lame on an academic level; in contrast, i found my philosophy classes there outstanding.
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Professor rankings Re: Department of Ancient Scripture -- Alf Omega Top of thread Archive
Posted by: rpcman ®
01/22/2002, 21:16:21
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I find it fascinating that 1) an associate professor would hold a department chair and that 2) his professional qualifications would have no apparent connection with ancient languages or literature. Perhaps someone with more experience in academia could give us a better idea of how rare this is or is not. The latter is rare (except at BYU since the religion/ancient scripture department there is essentially a continuation of high school seminary--it's not like they are out there looking for people like David P. Wright or Ed Ashment, two people who are qualified to teach courses on ancient scriptures). Associate professors as chairs are not rare. Associate is the second highest rank next to full professor. In my department the chair is an associate. He has more than a dozen years of experience, etc. At many institutions it takes a PhD and 5+ years of experience (along with peer reviews, etc.) to reach associate.
Modified by rpcman at Tue, Jan 22, 2002, 21:31:32
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Abbreviated fascination Re: Professor rankings -- rpcman Top of thread Archive
Posted by: Alf Omega ®
01/23/2002, 10:24:01
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So what is your department? I wasn't aware that you were still involved in university life. I knew that associate was just below full professor, but I didn't realize that associates commonly chaired departments. I did a quick sampling of other departments at BYU and didn't find any other examples. Thanks for the correction.
My fascination is now confined to the fact that a family counselor is qualified to chair a department of ancient scripture.
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Re: Abbreviated fascination Re: Abbreviated fascination -- Alf Omega Top of thread Archive
Posted by: rpcman ®
01/23/2002, 12:27:15
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So what is your department? I wasn't aware that you were still involved in university life. Actually, I just started it (last term).
http://www.sou.edu/business/Case/
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