Religious Education

Brigham Young University

Religious Education

Chair—Ancient Scripture: Stephen E. Robinson
375-A JSB
Provo, UT 84602-5689
(801) 378-2067

Chair—Church History and Doctrine: Richard O. Cowan
375-B JSB
Provo, UT 84602-5690
(801) 378-3691

THE PROGRAM OF STUDIES

Religious Education has two departments: the Department of Ancient Scripture and the Department of Church History and Doctrine. Both departments offer graduate minors but not graduate majors.

Ancient Scripture—Minor

Requirements for Degree.

Credit hours:

Master's Level: minimum 9 approved hours, no more than 2 hours of which may be readings courses.

Doctoral Level: minimum 12 hours determined in consultation with major department chair.

Required courses: determined with approval of Ancient Scripture Department chair. Courses in biblical languages such as Heb 331 and 531 or Greek 411, 612, and 613 that could strengthen a graduate minor in ancient scripture would be in addition to minimum hours required in religion.
Advisory committee: must include one member from Ancient Scripture Department faculty.
Credit limitation: no undergraduate credit may apply.

Church History and Doctrine—Minor

Requirements for Degree.

Credit hours:

Master's Level: minimum 9 approved hours.

Doctoral Level: minimum 12 hours determined in consultation with major department chair.

Required courses: determined with approval of Church History and Doctrine Department chair.
Graduate committee: must include one member from Church History and Doctrine Department faculty.
Credit limitation: no undergraduate credit may apply.

RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Religious Studies Center. The dean of Religious Education is also the general director of the Religious Studies Center, which promotes research in ancient studies, the Bible, the Book of Mormon, LDS Church history, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and world religions.

The center is a supporting and coordinating agency for religion-oriented research throughout the university. Concentrating on research, writing, and other scholarly activities, it is not involved in classroom instruction or degree programs.

The Richard L. Evans Chair of Religious Understanding. The occupants of the Richard L. Evans Chair of Religious Understanding promote understanding among people of different faiths through teaching and other activities. The chair was established to articulate to a broad audience the religious values to which Elder Evans dedicated his life and to promote an enlightening exchange among Latter-day Saints, members of other faiths, and people of good will everywhere.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Class Schedule

Ancient Scripture

501. Analysis of the Old Testament: The Pentateuch and Historical Books. (3)

502. Analysis of the Old Testament: Prophetic Books. (2)

503. Analysis of the Old Testament: Poetic and Wisdom Literature. (2)

510R. Special Topics in Ancient Scripture. (1-3)

Prerequisite: LDS Church Seminaries and Institutes personnel only.

Subjects and questions typically addressed by Church Educational System instructors. No more than 3 hours may apply toward a graduate degree.

511. The Gospels. (2)

512. Paul's Life and Letters. (2)

513. The General Epistles and Revelation. (2)

514. Historical Background of the New Testament. (2)

521, 522. Analysis of the Book of Mormon. (3 ea.)

523. External Evidence of the Book of Mormon. (2)

527. History and Doctrines of the Pearl of Great Price. (3)

606. The Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha. (2)

610R. Graduate Seminar in Ancient Scripture (1-3)

620R. Directed Readings in Ancient Scripture. (1-3)

Church History and Doctrine

Class Schedule

510R. Special Topics in Church History and Doctrine.(1-3)

Prerequisite: LDS Church Seminaries and Institutes personnel only.

Subjects and questions typically addressed by Church Educational System instructors. No more than 3 hours may apply toward a graduate degree.

524, 525. Analysis of the Doctrine and Covenants. (3 ea.)

530. LDS Doctrine. (2)

540R. Special Topics in Church History and Doctrine. (2-3)

Independent Study available to commissioned and prospective chaplains only.

Topics include Joseph Smith's thought, Church doctrine, schismatic movements in Church history, historical setting of the Restoration, comparative American religions, Near Eastern religions, etc.

541. Documents of LDS Church History (1805-1844). (3)

542. Documents of LDS Church History (1844-1900). (3)

543. Documents of LDS Church History (Twentieth Century). (3)

551. History of the Early Church Through the Fourth Century. (3)

552. Medieval and Reformation Christianity. (3)

553. History of Christianity Since the Seventeenth Century. (3)

555. Monotheistic Religions of the World. (2)

Considers Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism.

556. South and East Asian Religions. (2)

Considers Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism.

640R. Graduate Seminar in Church History and Doctrine. (1-3)

Topics include the Doctrine and Covenants, LDS church history, LDS doctrine, Christian history, Christian theology, world religions, etc.