Esplin, Scott C., Griffiths, Casey Paul, Morgan, Barbara E., Randall, E. Vance
Isolationism, Exceptionalism, and Acculturation : The Internationalisation of Mormon Education in Mexico
Journal of Educational Administration and History
2014
46
4
Abingdon-on-Thames, UK
Routledge
2014
387-404
[2015 Mormon Historical Association Winner for Best International Article Award]
Faiths have long used education as a means to preserve and transmit cultural values from one generation to the next. However, they have also employed education to unite people of different cultures and proselytise others to their worldview. Over the last two centuries, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Latter-day Saint, LDS, or Mormon) has exercised these same patterns in its educational programmes, especially internationally, as it has sought to expand around the world. Using Mormonism's Juárez Academy in northern Mexico as a historical case study, our paper demonstrates how transnationally governed religion-led school systems can confront the challenge of exceptionalism by embracing local culture and customs while maintaining the heritage of their faith tradition. The study advances the field of international education, highlighting the issues of globalisation, cultural transfer, and transnational educational governance.