Can a teacher really make me do this for a midterm?

Question

i feel like this question needed updating so sorry if u have already answered this i am taking a college history course us history 101 and our midterm is on the Mormon faith movement in history
we started the course on the civil war and what caused it but that's not even on the midterm nore is the forcing of the native Americans off there lands we have to pick from 3 questions and write a paper on two them
the questions are

how were the Mormons persecuted for there religion

what separated the Mormons from other faiths

how were Mormons falsely accused of block voting

and why was Joesph smith murdered for something he didn't do

now i am not Mormon but as u can see these question are biased to make the Mormons look good he also said we are not allowed to talk about the moutian medow massicer because it was carried our buy some Mormons and not the higher ups can he make me do this paper or can i refuse to do this since. it is forcing his religion on me

that's the funny thing this is not in utha at all in fact i'm going to school in illinois

Answer 1

Ok, I am an established scholar in the field of comparative religion, and I teach at a major university, including courses with units on the LDS Church. Frankly, I fail to see how this assignment forces any religion on anyone. However, two of the questions are indeed problematic.

Fact: Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints were persecuted.

Fact: There are major differences between their religion and other forms of Christianity.

Historically problematic: "Mormons falsely accused of bloc voting."
(It's spelled BLOC not BLOCK.)

Debatable: "Joseph Smith murdered for something he didn't do?"

Can a professor assign this? Sure. What would ~I~ do? I'd answer the second two questions in the negative by marshalling appropriate scholarly sources that argue to the contrary. (It would be a great paper, I think.) :)

My advice? Since you are a student, and not this professor's peer, and you are probably also worried about your grade, write your essay, and deal with the first two questions.

Answer 2

In college, the professor sets the course work. Even if it seems skewed to the students, if you sign up for his class, you have to complete his coursework if you want to pass. You could go to the department chair to complain and he might look into the matter... it depends on how popular the professor is.

If I were you, I'd answer "how were the Mormons persecuted for their religion" and "what seperated the Mormons from other faiths." Both of those can be answered without having to believe in the Mormon faith.

If you really can't stomach the idea of a religious paper, then you can refuse to do it. You can refuse to do any work in college... you'll just receive a bad grade because of it. The professors are perfectly willing to let you make that decision. You're an adult, after all. But it's your money that's being wasted if you pay for a course that you don't complete. College is where youthful idealism starts colliding with reality.....

I suggest doing the paper, finishing the course, and never taking a class from that professor again if you don't have to.

Answer 3

I don't believe he is forcing his religion upon you, if it is even his religion. I am not Mormon, but Mormon's played an important part in the westward expansion of America during and after the Civil War. It is a relevant part of history. I am sure that you learned about the voyage across the ocean in the Mayflower, right? Well, that is also a religious-centered event, and yet it is considered to be a VITAL part of American history. Same thing with this. If it really bothers you, then speak to an advisor at your school. If you just think it's a lousy assignment, suck it up and do it anyway. You'll forget what you've learned ten minutes after the test is over anyway.

Answer 4

Im guessing you are going to school somewhere in Utah. I am pretty sure they can make you write about whatever they want. Im sure if you don't do it, that you won't do well in your class. Is there any reason why you can't take one for the team and just do the paper?
I am not mormon either and I don't see why there is a problem with the topic. It pertains to an important time in history as far as your teacher is concerned. I would talk to the teacher about where you stand on the subject and see if they are willing to work with you on it. Maybe go far as to talk with the chair head for the department, and see what they think. They are the one's who can best answer your question.

Answer 5

That's damned peculiar, to say the least.

I expect that by the time you could get this fully investigated, finals week would be over and you'd have failed the class.

So, you have a choice: refuse to take the midterm on the basis of religious intolerance (etc.), or do what you can to pass the test, and get the hell out of this guy's class with all speed.

I'd go with option #2, but I'd be certain to include innocent barbs in the essay.

Anyway, look upon this ugly situation and your decision of how to deal with it as part of your education.

Good luck!

Answer 6

no, it is not forcing a religion on you. It is just making you think and consider something in an openminded way, that is all. And, yes, they can require that of you if you wish to pass, sorry.

Answer 7

I don't really understand what's your question asking, but if I read correctly, my answer is: "Yes, the teacher can if you really need a good grade though I feel sorry for you"

Answer 8

i think your safest bet would be to ask the Principal and show him the questions.