BHodges tipped me off recently to a notice on the University of Utah Religious Studies site about an informal conversation on Religious and Mormon Studies. Intrigued, I emailed around and was able to find out some more information.
Professor Schmid, director of the steering committee for the establishment of a Religious Studies program at the University of Utah (U of U) was kind enough to send this flier along and informed me that though there are no immediate or clear plans for a formal Mormon Studies component to the Religious Studies program, since there are faculty that do work on Mormon Studies the hope is to have at some point a Mormon Studies component to the RS minor.
The purpose of the September 8 conversation is to invite colleagues from some universities in Utah that have Mormon Studies curriculum to share their ideas with the U of U faculty invovled in the creation of the Religious Studies program. Interested students and colleagues are invited to participate. I, for one, am excited for the prospects and will be there on September 8.
One question: Are there any Mormons in this department at the U of U?
Comment by john — August 29, 2009 @ 6:02 am
Thanks for the notice. Good luck to the UU.
Comment by Edje Jeter — August 29, 2009 @ 6:07 am
this is not a department, it’s a concentration/minor. as i recall, the impetus is coming out of the English department, with faculty drawn in from a variety of departments. that said, i think that beyond a tenured Mormon in the history department there aren’t many Mormons in the humanities at the UofU. The University’s top scholar on religion per se is in the history department, but I’m not sure how closely involved she is with this religion concentration.
Comment by smb — August 29, 2009 @ 10:15 am
Did your emailing identify a location for this conversation?
Comment by Ardis E. Parshall — August 29, 2009 @ 11:35 am
Thanks, smb, that’s my understanding as well. The website indicates that most of the courses for the RS minor are being drawn from existing courses. I understand a proposal is being draw up (or recently has been) for a Mormonism In The American Experience course that would be part of the RS approved list of courses.
Comment by Jared T — August 29, 2009 @ 11:38 am
It’s in the flier, LNCO 2110, the Languages and Communication building, here is a map.
Comment by Jared T — August 29, 2009 @ 11:43 am
I am hoping to attend. If anyone wants a ride from Utah County, let me know, maybe we can work something out.
Comment by Chris H. — August 29, 2009 @ 11:13 pm
I’ll be there for sure. I’m one of the folks doing the religious studies minor at the U right now.
Comment by BHodges — August 30, 2009 @ 8:39 pm
[…] discussion was held about the place of Mormon Studies in the larger field of Religious Studies. See this announcement. We’d like to thank Dr. Barlow, who has been kind enough to share his prepared remarks for […]
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Pingback by Juvenile Instructor » Page not found — September 15, 2009 @ 11:18 am
I Want to suggest that the time is long over due for
Mormonism to take her rightful place in the comity of
world religions and put forward, without fears or favours, ill will or affection,the everlasting plan of salvation
established and approved by our Heavenly Father Himself, as the second and last opportunity for all Homo Sapiens.
As a mystical historian,I look forward to an opportunity
in a University, if hired, to unmask what many have shied
away from, that is the only Christian community on Earth as
at the close of business today.
This is a fact that the Authorities, for the sake of Christ’s humility do not wish to over emphasize too loudly
because a well filled drum makes little or no sound.Is any
body serious out there wishing to expand the frontiers of
religious awareness ? Please get in touch. Thanks.
Comment by Dr. Samson E.Osime — September 22, 2009 @ 1:25 am
[…] Brian Birch and Phil Barlow were kind enough to guest blog their prepared remarks from the Religious Studies/Mormon Studies: An Informal Discussion at the U of U. […]
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