Summer Session Kansan
Page 3
Religion Teachers Don't Try Persuasion; Courses Taught Objectively, Dean Says
By Linda Machin
The role of KU School of Religion is to inform the students about religions, not making converts.
William J. Moore, Dean of the School of Religion, explained, "It has a non-sectarian, non-propagandizing approach to the teaching of religion. The teachers try to present religion, especially as it is practiced in America, but with the same standards of scholarship in other phases of the universities such as history, philosophy, and economics.
"THE SCHOOL'S purpose is not to persuade students to accept any religion," Dean Moore stressed. "Rather we want them to have the privilege of studying religion in the same critical, objective way as in other courses."
"Not all of the work done in religion is done here in the School of Religion," Dean Moore said. "For example, the department of philosophy offers a course, "Philosophy of Religion," the sociology department, "Sociology of Religion," and the psychology department, "Psychology of Religion."
He pointed out that in addition to courses concerning predominant religious practices in America, the school offers course work which includes an introduction to the other great religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Taoism, Jainism, and Sikhism.
In regard to the students who take courses in the school, Dean Moore said, "Of course there is no record of affiliation of the students who enroll. Probably there are atheists andagnostics in some of the classes and we welcome them if they are interested in learning.
"OCCASIONALLY some of the members of the non-Christian faiths like Hinduism and Islam take courses," he continued. "But, probably most of the students are from the major Protestant branches of Christianity."
Dean Moore explained that the school practices the principle of separation of church and state. The
school is neither supported by public taxes nor by student tuition. Administrative direction is severed from Strong Hall.
Though administratively and financially independent from the University, "academically, the School of Religion functions more as a department within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences." For instance, before a teacher is appointed, he must be endorsed by the dean of the college and the chancellor as well as a committee of the School of Religion.
In regard to the future plans and expansion of the school, a long-range program calls for four full-time instructors in addition to part-time instructors by 1965. At present, Dean Moore is the only full-time teacher. This fall, however, another
THE BOARD OF directors, which actually control the School of Religion, are representatives from a corporate group which includes Baptist, Congregational, Christian, Episcopalian, Jewish, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Latter Day Saints.
full-time instructor is being added, sponsored by Episcopalians.
Plans for physical expansion include an already partially completed building at the same Oread location across from the Kansas Union.
Overseas Calls Grow
BOSTON — (UFI)— In 1927 there were about 11,000 overseas telephone calls. In 1962 there were 5 million.
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