Program Purpose

Students who successfully complete the required Doctrinal Foundation core in Religious Education will be able to demonstrate that they have acquired an understanding of LDS scripture, doctrine and history through the process of rigorous study and personal faith (Doctrine and Covenants 88:118).

Inherent in the process of learning by study and by faith is the responsibility each student assumes for their part in the learning process. Therefore, students who apply themselves will be able to demonstrate competence in the following areas: Factual, Conceptual, Application and Spiritual.

Curricular Structure

Department Information

Undergraduate Catalog Listing of Courses - Ancient Scripture

Undergraduate Catalog Listing of Courses - Church History and Doctrine

Expected Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the required Religious Education core courses will be able to demonstrate mastery in each of the following learning outcomes.

Factual Learning Outcome

The ability to recall the factual information necessary for a basic understanding of LDS scripture, doctrine and history.

Conceptual Learning Outcome

The ability to analyze and interpret LDS scripture, doctrine and history.

Application of Learning Outcome

The ability to use foundational knowledge and conceptual understanding of LDS scripture, doctrine and history in problem-solving and life application tasks.

Spiritual Learning Outcome

The desire to seek the Holy Ghost as an aid in studying and pondering LDS scripture, doctrine and history.

Evidence of Learning

Students who acquire mastery in each of the learning outcomes will exhibit the following abilities.

Factual Learning Outcome

The recall of factual information necessary to formulate an understanding of LDS scripture, doctrine and history including the ability to--

• define content specific vocabulary
• recall significant historical dates and events
• locate major historical sites on a map
• identify characters of importance
• define fundamental doctrines
• use basic scriptural research tools

Conceptual Learning Outcome

The analysis and interpretation of LDS scripture, doctrine and history including the ability to--

• identify significant relationships among ideas
• explain fundamental doctrinal principles in their own words
• analyze scripture blocks to identify key doctrines, principles and practices
• summarize and generalize information from a variety of sources

Application of Learning Outcome

The use of foundational knowledge and conceptual understanding of LDS scripture, doctrine and history in problem-solving tasks in order to--

• discuss a concept or idea
• teach a principle or idea to another individual
• explain a principle or truth
• solve a problem
• provide possible responses to case studies
• evaluate a set of factors

Spiritual Learning Outcome

Seeking the Holy Ghost as an aid in studying and pondering LDS scripture, doctrine and history in order to--

• express feelings of faith and testimony
• distinguish between truth and error
• assess spiritual promptings as they relate to learning
• develop Christlike attributes
• demonstrate the ability to balance spiritual, intellectual and behavioral factors

Direct Measures

Student mastery of the learning outcomes will be directly measured by1) standardized assessment designed to measure scriptural understanding gained from the required scripture courses and 2) through the regular curriculum review conducted by the Curriculum Council of course level evidence of student learning.

The standardized assessment will measure student scriptural of the required courses, including Book of Mormon, New Testament and Doctrine and Covenants. The standardized assessment is administered each fall term to a randomly selected sample of first-semester freshmen, junior and senior students. Demographically data collected during the assessment will provide various indices of scripture understanding. The assessment design will also allow analysis of each of the learning outcomes within each content area.

The curriculum review conducted by the Curriculum Council annually reviews systematically selected sample of courses for evidence of student learning. This involves the review of syllabi, exams, indices of student achievement, including writing samples. The purpose of the review is to evaluate alignment of course learning outcomes, assessment methods and evidences of student learning. The standardized assessment and the curriculum review will be used to derive direct measures of student learning in each of the below areas:

Factual Learning Outcomes

1. Course level midterm and final quality tests of factual learning
2. Program level administration of a standardized entrance-exit assessment

Conceptual Learning Outcomes

1. Course level quality tests of student ability in conceptual learning
2. Course level evaluation of student written response to questions that prompt higher order thinking
3. Course level evaluation of student oral presentations requiring a demonstration of analytic reasoning
4. Program level evaluation of the written component of the standardized entrance-exit assessment

Application of Learning Outcomes

1. Course level evaluation of written response in problem solving tasks
2. Course level evaluation of response to case studies
3. Course level evaluation of classroom presentations
4. ourse level evaluation of peer teaching
5. Course level performance in directed learning activities

Indirect Measures

Student mastery of the learning outcomes will be indirectly measured 1) through the evaluation of selected items from the University administered National Survey of Student Engagement, 2) the University Senior Survey and 3) through the evaluation of selected items from the regularly administered Brigham Young University Alumni Questionnaire. The items used as indirect measures are identified below.

National Survey of Student Engagement: Items: 11 n and 11 p

Brigham Young University Senior Survey: Items: q42o, q42p, q42r, q42q, q42r

Brigham Young University Alumni Questionnaire:

Items: Construct 1; Construct 11; Construct 15, items 1-9; Construct 16, Items 1-8; Construct 17, Items 1-8; Construct 18, Items 1-6; and Construct 23, items 1-10. In addition the above Constructs, the summary data from the “Impact of BYU Activity” summary analysis will also be accepted as an indirect measure for evaluating student achievement of the defined learning outcomes.

The above described indirect measures will be used to evaluate student achievement in the following

Factual Learning Outcomes

1. Program level student evaluations
2. Program level exit interviews

Conceptual Learning Outcomes

1. Program level student evaluations

Application of Learning Outcomes

1. Program level student surveys
2. Course level student surveys
3. Course level student response journal

Spiritual Learning Outcomes

1. Course level exit statements
2. Course level student written responses
3. Course level classroom experiences with the Spirit
4. Course level survey
5. Program level student evaluations

Student Learning Improvement Plan

Direct measures obtained from the standardized assessment data will be considered by the college Curriculum Council for the purpose of:

• Determining any implications for existing course learning outcomes.
• Suggesting appropriate modifications of existing course outcomes or methodology.

Indirect measures obtained from the University administer surveys will be considered by the college Curriculum Council for the purpose of:

• Determining any implications for existing course learning outcomes.
• Suggesting appropriate modifications of existing course outcomes or methodology.

Course level assessments will be sampled each semester by the college Curriculum Council to provide descriptive data that can be used for the purpose of:

• Determining any implications for existing course learning outcomes.
• Suggesting appropriate modifications of existing course outcomes or methodology.

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