By EMILY CANNON
Emily@newsroom.byu.edu
Every student at BYU must take a religion class, but which class to take is up to the individual.
Students have a number of motivations and procedures for choosing religion classes.
Crystal Komm, 21, a senior from West Vancouver, British Columbia, majoring in zoology, said she selects religion classes based on recommendations from friends.
'Choosing by style is a more appropriate choice. In a university setting where you are paying for your education, you ought to shop around and choose classes that fit what you are looking for, both in content and personality.'
-- Guy L. Dorius, assistant professor of church history
'I try to stay away from certain teachers if I hear they are extremely conservative. I think then students are tested in the teacher's interpretations of doctrine,' she said.
While Komm said she felt teachers should base grades on personal religious growth of students, she did acknowledge the idea was not very attainable.
Brandon Bailey, 22, a senior from Salt Lake City, majoring in business management, said a friend referred a Doctrines of the Gospel class that he took.
'If I hear a very, very, very, positive recommendation about a teacher being fair, an easy grader -- sometimes that is what I want -- or good at teaching, getting in the class takes a priority over scheduling conflicts,' he said.
Guy L. Dorius, assistant professor of church history, said students have told him that after they have a good experience with a professor, they select other classes from him or her.
'Choosing by style is a more appropriate choice. In a university setting where you are paying for your education, you ought to shop around and choose classes that fit what you are looking for, both in content and personality,' Dorius said.
Bennett Wutkee, 23, a senior from Camarillo, Calif., majoring in advertising, has selected classes based on his interests.
'I took a family history class, because I wanted to learn how to do genealogy work. I had the opportunity to do work for four generations,' Wutkee said.
Wutkee said he also took a class about the Pearl of Great Price.
'If you have been through the temple, the Pearl of Great Price helps you to better understand symbolism of the creation and the endowment,' he said.
Erin Hall, 19, a freshman from Littleton, Colo., with an open major, said she has used a unique selection process, but that it has worked.
'I opened up the class schedule, closed my eyes and wherever my finger landed that was the class I was going to take,' Hall said.
Komm said she has faced problems with differences of opinion with teachers because of several of her personal beliefs.
In some instances, they have said that students who have different beliefs on controversial issues do not have enough faith, Komm said.
'There is a difference between what is the opinion of a general authority and what is doctrine. People seem to forget that General Authorities have opinions. Doctrine is in the scriptures and what the First Presidency say and endorse,' she said.
Students are required to take 14 hours of religion classes at BYU. Two Book of Mormon, one Doctrine and Covenants, and one New Testament class are required. In addition to the required courses, students may pick from classes such as Sharing the Gospel, LDS Marriage and Family and Teachings of the Living Prophets.
Dorius said problems may occur when students are required to take a class and choose by default.
'In my experience, it becomes a choice of desperation and those students are less motivated.'