BYU Harold B. Lee Library

Revision as of 14:13, 3 November 2009

The Division of Religion, established in 1940, required that all students enroll in a two-credit-hour religion class each semester as a prerequisite to graduation. It was the responsibility of the division to supervise all religious teaching and activity on campus, and provide instruction in scripture, doctrine, Church history, and religious leadership. Although the Head of the Division of Religion was the President of the University, there did exist a director of Religious Activities, J. Wyley Sessions, who served from 1940 to 1950. Sidney B. Sperry was a prominent religious professor beginning in 1939, and later Director of Religious Instruction.

Variant names

Description

Established: 1940

Abolished: 1959

Location: Provo, Utah (1940-1959)

Functions

The Division of Religion was composed of the following four departments: Bible and Modern Scripture, Church History, Theology and Philosophy, and LDS Church Organization. There were also graduate degrees offered in the areas of Bible and Modern Scripture, Semitic Languages, Church History, and Philosophy of Religious Education. The Division of Religion focused mostly had behavioral, rather than intellectual, objectives.

Assets and Administrative Structure

The Division of Religion was under direct supervision of the president of the University. The Division of Religion faculty positions were filled on assignment.

Associated Units

Superior unit: Brigham Young University (1940-1959)

Earlier unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Religious Education (1940)

Later unit: Brigham Young University. College of Religious Instruction (1959)

Subordinate unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Bible and Modern Scripture (1940-1959)

Subordinate unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Church History (1940-1959)

Subordinate unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Theology and Philosophy (1940-1959)

Subordinate unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of LDS Church Organization (1940-1959)

Associated Archival Materials

Files, 1938-1966. (UA 889)

Sources

Brigham Young University, 1975: vol. 3 p. 113 (departments, Bible and Modern Scripture, Church history, Theology and Philosophy, and LDS Church Organization; graduate degrees in Bible and Modern Scripture, Semitic Languages, Church History, and Philosophy of Religious Education)

Brigham Young University, 1975: vol. 2 p. 293 (division under direction of the president of the University; supervise religious teaching on campus)

Brigham Young University, 1975: vol. 2 p. 451 (behavioral, not intellectual, objectives)

Brigham Young University, 1975: vol. 4 p. 183 (two-credit-hour required religion courses)

Brigham Young University, 1975: vol. 4 p. 294-295 (J. Wyley Sessions, division head 1940-; faculty positions filled on assignment)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog, 1940-1941: p. 15 (J. Wyley Sessions, Director of Religious Activities; Sidney B. Sperry, prominent religious professor)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog, 1948-1949: p. 21, 22 (J. Wyley Sessions, Director of Religious Activities; Sidney B. Sperry, Director of Religious Instruction)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog, 1949-1950: p. 23 (J. Wyley Sessions, Director of Religious Activities)

Maintenance Information

Record ID: EAC-2009-00325

LCCN: no2009068441

Creator: CEM