The Historical Development of the Religion Curriculum at Battle Creek College, 1874-1901
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Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 2001 The Historical Development of the Religion Curriculum at Battle Creek College, 1874-1901 Medardo Esau Marroquin Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, Education Commons, and the History of Christianity Commons Recommended Citation Marroquin, Medardo Esau, "The Historical Development of the Religion Curriculum at Battle Creek College, 1874-1901" (2001). Dissertations. 558. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/558 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 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Andrews University School of Education THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE RELIGION CURRICULUM AT BATTLE CREEK COLLEGE 1874-1901 A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by Medardo Esau Marroquin July 2001 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 3019336 __ (J) UMI UMI Microform 3019336 Copyright 2001 by Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE RELIGION CURRICULUM AT BATTLE CREEK COLLEGE 1874-1901 A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy by Medardo Esau Marroquin APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: Dean, School of GrdOuate Studies Linda Thormaiy /) Member: John Matthews Deaii School Of Education Karen'Graham CA cuujl. ^ k a u , Member: Jane Thayer \ Q - n r s \1. I External: Denis Fortin 1 Date approver] Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE RELIGION CURRICULUM AT BATTLE CREEK COLLEGE 1874-1901 by Medardo Esau Marroquin Chair: Jerry Moon Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Ph.D. Dissertation Andrews University Department of Teaching, Learning, and Administration Title: THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE RELIGION CURRICULUM AT BATTLE CREEK COLLEGE 1874-1901 Name of researcher: Medardo Esau Marroquin Name and degree of faculty chair: Jerry Moon, Ph.D. Date completed: July 2001 Topic This study focused on the evaluation of the historical development of the religion curriculum at Battle Creek College from its founding in 1874, to its removal to Berrien Springs in 1901. Battle Creek College was the first Seventh- day Adventist educational enterprise. As such, it became influential in establishing the direction of subsequent Adventist education, and the foundation of Adventist educational philosophy. Purpose The purpose of this study was to trace the development of the religion curriculum in relation to the purposes and goal statements of the college as they Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. changed from 1874 to 1901, and in relation to the educational implications of Ellen G. White’s counsel. To achieve this goal, the study also necessitated an investigation of the general curriculum of Battle Creek College to provide the background for the development of the religion curriculum. Method and Sources This was an historical-documentary study based on published primary sources. Secondary sources were used for background, context, and perspective. The most heavily used primary sources were the Battle Creek College annual catalogues located at the Adventist Heritage Center, at Andrews University. Conclusions Battle Creek College suffered from a lack of clear direction and unity of purpose. From 1874 to 1901, seven presidents officiated at Battle Creek College. Each president had different notions about the purposes, which in turn affected the form and substance of the college curriculum. From the evidence gathered, this study shows that Battle Creek College did not conform to its original purposes. From the beginning, and throughout its history, Battle Creek College also faced the problem of effectively integrating faith and learning. The struggle between the classics and the Bible was central to the whole problem, and it was impossible for the college to become a truly Christian institution until this conflict was resolved. The problem at Battle Creek College was that, instead of the Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Bible, the classics and secular humanism provided the essential foundation and context for the educational enterprise. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.................................................................................viii LIST OF TABLES................................................................................................ ix LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................... xi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.....................................................................................xiii PREFACE............................................................................................................xv Statement of the Problem ............................................................ xvi Importance of the S tudy ........................................................... xvii Purpose of the Study ................................................................. xvii Scope and Delimitations of the S tudy ...................................... xviii Review of Literature and Prior Research ....................................xix Published Documents ...................................................... xix Unpublished Documents ............................................... xxii Methodology and Primary Sources ............................................. xxv Design of the Study..................................................................... xxv Chapter I. BACKGROUND TO THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE RELIGION CURRICULUM OF BATTLE CREEK COLLEGE.................... 1 General Context of Higher Education in the United States up to 1874 .................................................................................1 Overview of the American College in the Colonial Period . 2 Overview of the American College in the National Period . 4 Overview of the American College after the Civil W a r 7 Overview of the Development of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to 1874 .............................................................8 Sabbath Conferences ...........................................................9 Publishing W ork .................................................................12 Church Organization ...........................................................14 Health and Medical W o rk .................................................. 16 E ducation ...........................................................................18 M issions.............................................................................22