I have both taken and taught courses in BYU’s College of Religious Education (RelEd).1Please note: “Religious Education,” not “Religion.” BYU does not teach “religious studies.” And from my own experience and talking to lots of people, it seems many people did not like their RelEd courses.

So let me pull back the curtain a little, as there’s a key to having a good experience. The most important thing to know for a good experience with Religion courses?

Generally speaking, professors come from two different tracks of education and experience, and students have two different sets of expectations. Happiness for professor and student comes from matching the right professorial track with the right set of student expectations. 

RelEd professors get hired from two backgrounds: the academic track, and the S&I2“Seminaries and Institutes,” which used to be called CES, “Church Education System.” track.  With some exceptions, those from the academic track have PhDs in things like Old Testament, New Testament, Classics, History, ancient Near Eastern Studies, Philosophy, Archaeology, Early Christianity, etc. With some exceptions, these professors’ courses will be more like a typical college course, teaching more history, methods, facts, and knowledge about the context of scripture.

With some exceptions, those from the S&I track will have spent multiple years teaching in Seminary, then Institute. They too must have PhDs (rare exceptions), but their degrees tend to be in fields unrelated to scripture, history, or doctrine. With some exceptions, these professors’ courses will be more like an advanced Seminary or Institute class, focusing more on “doctrine,” less on facts, and likely more “entertaining.”

When I left BYU for a my first PhD program in, basically, Old Testament languages and literature, the Dean of Ancient Scripture at the time told me to volunteer to teach Institute, and try to get teaching experience. Why? He was blunt— exaggerated for humor, I think— and his language stuck with me.

We hire from two tracks. CES people are great teachers, but they don’t know anything. Academics are great researchers and knowledgable, but they’re terrible teachers. Since you’re becoming an academic, get teaching experience.

So… what about students?

Some students are thrilled to get to BYU, and take a class from someone who’s spent a lifetime and professional career studying the context of scripture, maybe living in Israel for a while, and teaching that kind of knowledge to the class. Others resent such an approach or don’t want the work that comes with it, or just want something different.

Advice

Don’t just pick your RelEd courses based on what fits in your schedule. Look at who the professor is, and then research them:  look at their RelEd page for their interests, their training, their publications. Maybe google them. Maybe email and ask to see the syllabus, which will include things like assignments, and will reveal the approach. Now, sometimes, you can’t tell from those things. Some people look like what you want, but turn out different than expected. You can also sit in on a class for a day or two and get a sense of their approach, personality, etc.

And then decide what and who to take from.

Courses

The college of Religious Education  is split into two departments: Ancient Scripture, and Church History & Doctrine. You find course listings separately under each department.

There are four required courses to graduate (a total of eight credits), plus 6 credits of elective. See here for some further details and nuances.

Those four thematic classes are

  • REL C 200 The Eternal Family
  • REL C 225 Foundations of the Restoration
  • REL A 250 Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel
  • REL A 275 Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon

Electives include regularly-taught things like Old Testament (two parts), New Testament (two parts), Book of Mormon (two parts), but also Writings of Isaiah, the Josep Smith Translation, Missionary Preparation, three Church History courses divided up by era (1805-1845; 1846-1899; 1900-Present). There are also special courses taught on occasion. You just have to check the semester catalogue for those. Keep your eyes open.

Ancient Scripture regular courses.

Church History and Doctrine regular courses.

Happy hunting, and I hope your experience is good.