Course on Mormonism at Harvard

[malapert]

You'd think we haven't been around for nearly 200 years.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/art...il_to_a_friend

[UtahDan]

If it really is true that colleges are scrambling to offer such curricula, then maybe Mike Quinn will finally find a job.

My understanding is that up until now the only places he could teach were church schools (obvious why he can't) or public/private institutions whose Mormon studies have been endowed by LDS, effectively black balling him.

Whether you agree with the guy or not, he is a pioneer in the field and it shouldn't be the case that he can't find work assume there is interest. Maybe this will help him.

P.S. The lady teaching the class at Harvard is LDS. I know the family.

[scottie]

Originally Posted by UtahDan

If it really is true that colleges are scrambling to offer such curricula, then maybe Mike Quinn will finally find a job.

My understanding is that up until now the only places he could teach were church schools (obvious why he can't) or public/private institutions whose Mormon studies have been endowed by LDS, effectively black balling him.

I don't know much about him, so help me understand -- why would those be the only places he could teach?

[ewth8tr]

Originally Posted by scottie

I don't know much about him, so help me understand -- why would those be the only places he could teach?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D._Michael_Quinn

[MikeWaters]

He is a gay excommunicated Mormon who has written things that have made apologists mad. That's why he is persona non grata among some Mormons.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

He is a gay excommunicated Mormon who has written things that have made apologists mad. That's why he is persona non grata among some Mormons.

He had taught at BYU, had books published by Deseret Book, until he declared his sexual position.

[Solon]

Originally Posted by Archaea

He had taught at BYU, had books published by Deseret Book, until he declared his sexual position.

Although he claims it was Packer who gave him the ax - not his sexuality.

He almost got the job at U of U after Dean May died in '03, but his candidacy proved pretty divisive. Big LDS donors made threats (don't know specifics) and one prof. called the newspaper. In the end, I think they justified not hiring him because all of his publications were with LDS presses or Signature - not scholarly presses. Fair enough, I guess, but a dumb move IMO.

It's still a damn shame that he's not teaching somewhere. Love him or hate him, the guy is a brilliant scholar.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by Solon

Although he claims it was Packer who gave him the ax - not his sexuality.

He almost got the job at U of U after Dean May died in '03, but his candidacy proved pretty divisive. Big LDS donors made threats (don't know specifics) and one prof. called the newspaper. In the end, I think they justified not hiring him because all of his publications were with LDS presses or Signature - not scholarly presses. Fair enough, I guess, but a dumb move IMO.

It's still a damn shame that he's not teaching somewhere. Love him or hate him, the guy is a brilliant scholar.

I find him to be a thorough researcher but haven't seen anything to denote him as a brilliant scholar. He presents interesting evidence, but on some of his pet projects he lets his imagination get the better of him.

[Solon]

Originally Posted by Archaea

I find him to be a thorough researcher but haven't seen anything to denote him as a brilliant scholar. He presents interesting evidence, but on some of his pet projects he lets his imagination get the better of him.

I'm not sure which projects you mean, but I understand people have different interests and tastes. I love Quinn, though, but I haven't read everything he's done.

Quinn pioneered the "New Mormon History" which, in my mind, is a very innovative movement, the effects of which have dramatically altered the landscape of LDS teachings and discourse by both member and non-member.

I think Magic World View forever changed scholarship on Joseph Smith and The two-volume Mormon Hierarchy is very erudite, although you have to mine a little for the really good nuggets. I especially like "Extensions of Power."

His essay "On Being a Mormon Historian" is especially dear to me for obvious reasons.

Same Sex Dynamics was a little boring for me, I'll admit.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by Solon

I'm not sure which projects you mean, but I understand people have different interests and tastes. I love Quinn, though, but I haven't read everything he's done.

Quinn pioneered the "New Mormon History" which, in my mind, is a very innovative movement, the effects of which have dramatically altered the landscape of LDS teachings and discourse by both member and non-member.

I think Magic World View forever changed scholarship on Joseph Smith and The two-volume Mormon Hierarchy is very erudite, although you have to mine a little for the really good nuggets. I especially like "Extensions of Power."

His essay "On Being a Mormon Historian" is especially dear to me for obvious reasons.

Same Sex Dynamics was a little boring for me, I'll admit.

I thought he jumped the gun on Same Sex Dynamics. Just because people don't go overboard opposing something doesn't mean they authorize it.