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Show lessons, Fail 2004 page 1 7 The Good Word: Religious Studies at the U BY JOHN COON PHOTOS BY BRIAN PRETTYMAN Few topics have proved to be as divisive in the classroom as religion. The first mention of the subject is often sufficient enough to divide students and faculty into separate camps: those who see religion as a God-given instrument for the betterment of mankind and others who view religion as a man-made apparatus of myth and superstition naturally at odds with serious academic study. The divisiveness of religion is readily apparent at a campus like the University of Utah where the student ------------------------------ body often divides itself into two separate groups: Mormons and Non-Mormons. Although academic examinations of religion and its role in society appears to be a treacherous topic, the study of religion has grown more popular as academic field on the campuses of many universities in recent years. At the University of Utah, religious studies are still __________________ in the beginning stages as an academic field. The initial steps toward growth occurred in the 2003 summer semester with the formation of the Religious Studies Student Association. Founded under the direction of Colleen McDannell, the Sterling R. McMurrin Chair of Religious Studies, its primary goal is to generate student interest in religious studies through organizing activities based on some aspect of religion. Since its organization, the RSSA has held lectures given by visiting religious scholars, organized field trips to sites of religious/historical significance, and viewed religiously oriented films. These activities, according to student leaders of the RSSA, are designed to promote a better under- "This is an unusual campus in that so many students are active, not only in the LDS church, but in many other religions/' standing of the role religion plays in contemporary society. Their activities have drawn participation from a number of students who describe themselves as "religion nerds." The RSSA was an outgrowth of a larger national organization, the American Academy of Religion (AAR), that is dedicated to promoting academic examination of religion on campuses nationwide. The AAR began in 1909 as a small group of scholars dedicated to promoting the academic study of religion. Currently the AAR numbers approximately 9,000 members, composed largely of faculty who teach at over 1,500 colleges and universities throughout North America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. The Religious Studies Student _____________ Association is also a manifestation on the part of some students and faculty to spark consideration for religious studies as a serious academic field, according to current president Kirk Watson. He noted that by its nature religious studies is an inter-disciplinary field, drawing elements from diverse academic fields such as anthropology, history, sociology, and political science. This melting pot of studies is due in part because the study of religion requires ______________ students to see how it has influenced the past and continues to influence the present. For Watson, the study of religion is all about "looking at religion as a human activity." One major challenge to establishing religious studies as an academic field at the University of Utah comes from the perceptions of religion on campus. A number of students and faculty do not see how a faith-based subject can be correlated with an academic approach. "Some people are apprehensive about the study of religion because they don't think there is a point," said Devan Hite, vice president of the RSSA. "As people start to get their feet wet, they start to feel a little more comfortable with the subject and start to feel more comfortable talking about it." |
