The new class is taught by David Bokovoy, a Ph.D in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East from Brandeis University. The goal of the class is to spread understanding through academic and literary research of the Book of Mormon and is a part of a new initiative to create a Mormon studies program on campus.
“Academic study of religion promotes understanding and breaks down tribalism,” Bokovoy said.
The course will not delve into the authenticity or historical accuracy of the work, rather explore it as a piece of 19 century American literature. The class will be taught in an unbiased manner and will examine literary techniques in the book that mirror those used in the Bible.
Bokovoy, a practicing member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, has received overwhelming support and curiosity from faculty and students on campus. Bob Goldberg who is not a member of the LDS church, raised the funds for the Mormon Studies program after seeing a demand for such knowledge. Bokovoy said the U needs to step up to the plate as the leading research institution in Utah, and explore the literary themes conveyed in the Book of Mormon.
Bokovoy finds the book captivating.
“I love the Book of Mormon… I find it interesting, complex and beautiful… I would prefer reading it to Twilight,” he said.
Ashlynn McCarter, a LDS sophomore studying Religious Studies is excited to take the course, although she was skeptical at first.
“I thought it would be dry,” she said. “But this first period solidified that I am in the right class.”
McCarter said she prefers more people who are not members of the LDS church in class because they will have different questions and will push the boundaries.
“I didn’t sign up for this class to grow a stronger testimony of the Book of Mormon. I joined the class to see what other people thought about the Book of Mormon,” she said.
Religious text to be read as lit
August 27, 2013
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Helge Moulding • Aug 28, 2013 at 9:04 am
Of course examining religious texts as literature is perfectly acceptable. Mind, part of Bokovoy’s intention to “not delve into the authenticity or historical accuracy” of the work is a serious problem, from a literary analysis perspective, because even if you think a text should be read for itself, it still is important to know about the author. If you assume the author was a 19th C. American conman, then the text will have somewhat different dimensions than if you assume the author was a pre-Columbian inhabitant of the American continent, and J.S. was merely the translator.
At least biblical literary analysis generally admits that none of the texts are older than about 800 BC, and though some of the stories might be older, the historical accuracy of the stories is generally agreed to be close to nil in that context.
I would also say that _Twilight_ is a pretty low bar to clear…
Helge Moulding • Aug 28, 2013 at 9:04 am
Of course examining religious texts as literature is perfectly acceptable. Mind, part of Bokovoy’s intention to “not delve into the authenticity or historical accuracy” of the work is a serious problem, from a literary analysis perspective, because even if you think a text should be read for itself, it still is important to know about the author. If you assume the author was a 19th C. American conman, then the text will have somewhat different dimensions than if you assume the author was a pre-Columbian inhabitant of the American continent, and J.S. was merely the translator.
At least biblical literary analysis generally admits that none of the texts are older than about 800 BC, and though some of the stories might be older, the historical accuracy of the stories is generally agreed to be close to nil in that context.
I would also say that _Twilight_ is a pretty low bar to clear…
Danielbmc • Aug 28, 2013 at 8:00 am
I’m not sure this can be done. Can you actually study “scripture” as literature? Can these documents really be read without the historical and religious significance? Too often when I see classes proposed to teach the Bible, Book of Mormon or other religious books it’s just a way of trying to sneak religioun into the classroom. On a college level that is possibly excusable–but if it were high school or lower I would have a real problem.
Danielbmc • Aug 28, 2013 at 8:00 am
I’m not sure this can be done. Can you actually study “scripture” as literature? Can these documents really be read without the historical and religious significance? Too often when I see classes proposed to teach the Bible, Book of Mormon or other religious books it’s just a way of trying to sneak religioun into the classroom. On a college level that is possibly excusable–but if it were high school or lower I would have a real problem.
Itso Ashkee • Aug 28, 2013 at 6:12 am
I think religious texts should be read as lit. Some people object to them because they don’t like the discussion of God in the classroom, as if they are afraid that they are being proselytized or something. But I never would have read the Koran if not for a professor who used it as an example of history – which of course, it is. I never would have look at the Krishna texts if not for that kind of thing. I’m all for it.
Itso Ashkee • Aug 28, 2013 at 6:12 am
I think religious texts should be read as lit. Some people object to them because they don’t like the discussion of God in the classroom, as if they are afraid that they are being proselytized or something. But I never would have read the Koran if not for a professor who used it as an example of history – which of course, it is. I never would have look at the Krishna texts if not for that kind of thing. I’m all for it.