Theology of African Traditional Religion (ATR)
- Arts
- 700 level
- 2 credit units
- 109 pages
- 14 units
This course explores the theology of African Traditional Religion, examining its definitions, labels, and sources. It delves into creation, the concept of human beings, ethics, judgment, and reincarnation within the ATR context. The course further investigates eschatology, human agency, modernization's impact, and ATR's relationship with other religions. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of ATR's theological underpinnings and its relevance in contemporary society.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 40 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assessments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of CRS792, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
- UNIT 1 ESCHATOLOGY IN AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGIONPage 72
- UNIT 2 THE HUMAN AGENCY IN AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGIONPage 76
- UNIT 3 MODERNIZATION AND AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGIONPage 80
- UNIT 4 THE CONTEMPORARY S T U D Y OF AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGIONPage 86
- UNIT 5 AFRCAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION AND OTHER RELIGIONSPage 101
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
CRS792 · UNIT 1 DEFINITIONS OF AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION
You are welcomed to this course on the Theology of African Traditional Religion. In this unit, you will examine the definitions of African Traditional Religion, noting the different labels with which it had been described over the years. You will be exposed to the different names the African Traditional Religion has been known by in diverse settings.
What you should be able to do
- Define African Traditional Religion and its key concepts
- Explain the theological foundations of ATR
- Analyze the ethical and moral frameworks within ATR
- Evaluate the impact of modernization on ATR
- Compare and contrast ATR with other religions
- Understand the role of human agency in ATR
What it prepares you for
- Religious Studies Scholar
- Cultural Anthropologist
- Theologian
- Social Worker
- Community Leader
- Education
- Social Services
- Religious Organizations
- Cultural Preservation
- Community Development
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1: Definitions of African Traditional Religion
Unit 1: Definitions of African Traditional Religion
The multifaceted definitions and diverse labels require careful differentiation and understanding of historical contexts.
- Module 1: Definitions of African Traditional Religion
Unit 4: The African Concept of Human Beings
The ontological dimension requires understanding abstract concepts related to the nature of being and existence within the African worldview.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 43 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Definitions of African Traditional Religion
Unit 1: Definitions of African Traditional Religion · 3 hours
Define African Traditional Religion. Explain different labels and their reasons. Discuss sources of information. Highlight difficulties in studying ATR. Explain the relationship between African culture and ATR.
- Week 2Module 1: Definitions of African Traditional Religion
Unit 2: The Theology of African Traditional Religion · 3 hours
Define the theology of African Traditional Religion. Enumerate approaches to ATR theology. Discuss methodology. Mention tasks of ATR theology. State sources of ATR theology.
- Week 3Module 1: Definitions of African Traditional Religion
Unit 3: Creation in African Traditional Religion · 3 hours
Discuss God as Creator. Explain the process of creation. Describe the purpose of creation. State and discuss the care of creation. Mention the interaction of created things.
- Week 4Module 1: Definitions of African Traditional Religion
Unit 4: The African Concept of Human Beings · 4 hours
Discuss the concept of human beings. Describe the origin of human beings. Explain human beings in African Religious Thought. Examine the ontological dimension. List and discuss visible components. Describe invisible components. Mention landmarks in the cycle of life. Explain the end of human life.
- Week 5Module 2:
Unit 1: Ethics in African Traditional Religion · 3 hours
Define ethics in ATR. Describe principles guiding ethics. Explain good and evil. Mention custodians of ethics. Explain relations of ethics.
- Week 6Module 2:
Unit 2: Judgment in African Traditional Religion · 3 hours
Describe judgment in ATR. Mention agents of judgment. Discuss methods of judgment. Explain judgment and human responsibility.
- Week 7Module 2:
Unit 3: Reincarnation in African Traditional Religion · 3 hours
Explain reincarnation in ATR. Describe methods of reincarnation. Mention influence of reincarnation. Discuss peculiarity of reincarnation.
- Week 8Module 2:
Unit 4: Women in African Traditional Religion · 3 hours
Explain African gender construction. Describe the place of women. Define the role of women. Discuss challenges for women's roles.
- Week 9Module 2:
Unit 5: Sin and Reward in African Traditional Religion · 3 hours
Explain sin and reward in ATR. Mention agents that control sin and reward. Discuss the concept of punishment. Describe the effects of sin and reward.
- Week 10Module 3:
Unit 1: Eschatology in African Traditional Religion · 3 hours
Discuss eschatology in ATR. Explain morality in eschatological beliefs. Describe burial ceremonies. Explicate mourning in eschatological belief.
- Week 11Module 3:
Unit 2: The Human Agency in African Traditional Religion · 3 hours
Describe the role of human beings. Explain human agency in worship. Discuss human nature and representation of the divine. Mention limitations of human agency.
- Week 12Module 3:
Unit 3: Modernization and African Traditional Religion · 3 hours
Explain the effect of modernization on worship. Describe the effect of urbanization. Discuss the effect of the media. Explain the effect of materialism. Explicate ATR in the Diaspora.
- Week 13Module 3:
Unit 4: The Contemporary Study of African Traditional Religion · 3 hours
Explain theories used in the study of ATR. Discuss the influence in the study of ATR. Describe the tools for the contemporary study. Explicate the trends in the contemporary study.
Unit 5: African Traditional Religion and other Religions · 3 hours
Describe the initial contact between ATR and Christianity. Discuss the initial contact between ATR and Islam. Explain tension and resolution in inter-religious relations. Discuss borrowing and negotiations in inter-religious relations.
Preparing for the exam
- Create a glossary of key terms and concepts from each unit
- Compare and contrast the different theories of ATR's origin
- Focus on understanding the ethical principles and moral codes
- Practice essay questions on the impact of modernization
- Develop case studies illustrating the application of ATR principles in real-world scenarios
Questions students ask about this course
What is CRS792 about?
This course explores the theology of African Traditional Religion, examining its definitions, labels, and sources. It delves into creation, the concept of human beings, ethics, judgment, and reincarnation within the ATR context. The course further investigates eschatology, human agency, modernization's impact, and ATR's relationship with other religions. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of ATR's theological underpinnings and its relevance in contemporary society.
How many units does CRS792 have?
CRS792, Theology of African Traditional Religion (ATR), has 14 units across 3 modules, over 109 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is CRS792?
CRS792 carries 2 credit units, at 700 level in Arts.
Is CRS792 hard?
CRS792 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does CRS792 take to study?
About 40 hours of study, spread across its 14 units.
How is CRS792 assessed?
CRS792 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments and Final Examination.
What can I do with CRS792?
Religious Studies Scholar, Cultural Anthropologist, Theologian, Social Worker and Community Leader.