Brigham Young University. Dept. of Religious Education

The Dept. of Religious Education was established after the Dept. of Theology was abolished in 1929. The department remained in the College of Arts and Sciences with George H. Brimhall serving as the Department Chair. In 1932, the department was transferred to the College of Education, retaining its name and functions.The Department's purpose included educating future religious instructors for children, adolescents, and adults. Administrators felt that former missionaries could not rely on their missions for their religious education and sought to revise the coursework in 1936 to bring unity. Courses offered included the history of Christianity, Bible history, LDS Church history, genealogy, and missionary methods. The Dept. of Religious Education department chairs included George H. Brimhall (1929-1932) and Guy C. Wilson (1933-1939). In 1940 the department was abolished and its functions transferred to the various departments of the newly established Division of Religion.

Variant Names

Brigham Young University. College of Arts and Sciences. Dept. of Religious Education

Brigham Young University. College of Education. Dept. of Religious Education

Brigham Young University. College of Education. Religious Education Dept.

Description

Established: 1929

Abolished: 1940

Location: Provo, Utah (1929-1940)

Functions

The Dept. of Religious Education was responsible for teaching courses in: Religious and Ethical Life, Literature of the Bible, Ethics and Doctrines of Jesus, Foundations and Fruits of Mormonism, Life and Teachings of Christ, Philosophy of Life, Psychology of Religion, Social and Recreational Leadership, and Anthropology.

Assets and Administrative Structure

The Dept. of Religious Education was administered a department chair. From 1929 to 1932 the department was associated with the College of Arts and Sciences. In 1932 it was transferred to the College of Education.

Associated Units

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. College of Arts and Sciences (1929-1932)

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. College of Education (1932-1940)

Earlier unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Theology (1921-1929) (1929)

Later unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Bible and Modern Scripture (1940)

Later unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Church History (1940)

Later unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Theology and Philosophy (1940)

Later unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of LDS Church Organization (1940)

Sources

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog, 1929-1930: p. 190-203 (courses taught by the department)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog, 1932-1933: p. 70 (part of College of Education)

Brigham Young University The First One Hundred Years, 1975: v. 4 p. 506 (George H. Brimhall was Department Chair)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog 1932-1933: p. 70 (part of the College of Education) p. 77-82 (Dept. of Religious Education, courses listed)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog, 1922-23: p. (Department of Theology)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog, 1930-1940: p. 73 (changed to the Division of Religion)

Brigham Young University, 1975: v. 4, p. 506 (department chairs: George H. Brimhall, 1929-1932; Guy C. Wilson, 1933-1939)

Maintenance Information

Record ID: EAC-2009-00210

Creator: UPB