Religion studies program may come to USU
Utah State University is hoping to develop a religious studies program in the college of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.
Currently, USU offers religion classes taught by the departments of history, philosophy and anthropology. Bringing together all these classes under one central figure will allow USU to offer greater depth in religious studies and provide a minor and a graduate emphasis, said Norman Jones, head of the history department.
“Religion is such an important issue in this state. It’s so important that nobody talks about it. It’s probably much more important than race, class and everything else in terms of what drives Utah politics,” Jones said.
Ross Peterson, director of the Mountain West Center for Regional Studies, said since Sept. 11, 2001, students have become increasingly interested in other religions and how it affects politics, cultures and relations between other countries.
“Many conflicts are based on religion and it’s important for students to understand the differences in the world’s religions,” Peterson said.
Jones said if the religious studies program is approved, then a central chair position would be needed to bring the program under common leadership and to teach the discipline of religious studies. He said this position would be offered to a senior scholar based on their academic achievements within the study of religion as well as “elite scholarly qualifications.”
“To study religion is a delicate art, because to do it in a non-sectarian objective style requires a scholar to set aside his or her own preconceptions of what religion is supposed to look like,” Jones said.
Jones said in order to make the religious studies program work, they will need to find instructors that specialize in the teaching of religion and are prepared to teach others how to understand religious needs of people and the differences between their needs.
“Anyone looking at their own religion immediately has things that they say are really important to me and these other things I don’t really want to talk about. When a scholar studies religion, you can’t play favorites,” Jones said.
Richley Crapo, professor of anthropology, said, “Religion is an integral part of the lives of most people. So, for a university not to have a program on the topic of religion, I think is an oversight. USU has a lot of students who are very interested in the topic of religion.”
These are not courses about God, it’s what people have done in the name of God, Jones said. A religious studies program isn’t about religious truths and belief, it’s about what people perceive to be the truth and how they act upon it, Jones said.
Peterson said a lot of people are involved in this program from around the country as well as some alumni. Their view, Peterson said, is that religion is an extremely important part of culture, but he felt it was important to acknowledge that “the intent is to fund the religious studies program and the chairs, all with outside money by contributions and fund-raising.”
Amanda Haycock, a sophomore majoring in political science, said, “Learning the difference between religions would interest me. I enjoy diversity, so the more I learn about other people, the more it makes you realize that we’re all individuals.”
Jones said it is appropriate for students to have a place they can study and learn about religion and its cultural impact. He said the classes are not anti-religion or pro-religion, they are classes designed to study religion based on its importance in culture and society.
Amy Parker, a senior majoring in apparel and textiles, said, “I think it’s a good idea. It’s good to know about other religions.”
Crapo said students are presently offered a certificate in the study of religion that is received upon graduation verifying that a student has completed a set of academic requirements required to earn the certificate. He said this program will go beyond that level of academic achievement and offer more choices for study in the area of religion.
-dlalbiston@cc.usu.edu