CRS872

Religion, Power and Politics in Contemporary Nigeria Society

Arts
800 level
2 credit units
339 pages
21 units

This course introduces the intricate relationship between religion, power, and politics within contemporary Nigerian society. It explores diverse religious perspectives, including Islam, Christianity, and African Traditional Religion, examining their influence on societal structures. Key topics include theories of religion, religious movements, the concept of power, and the dynamics of religious leadership. The course also delves into colonialism, nationalism, and the interplay between religion and democracy in Nigeria.

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About this course

Difficulty: Intermediate
Study hours: 60 hours
Maths: None
Content: Theoretical, case study
Practical work: No

How it is assessed

Assignments
Tutor marked assessments
Final examination

What you'll read

The real module and unit structure of CRS872, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.

Module 1

Module 2 · RELIGION AND MODERNITY

Module 3 · HISTORY OF POLITICS

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

CRS872 · UNIT 1: CONCEPT OF RELIGION

Remember that your tutor’s job is to help you. When you need help, do not hesitate to call and ask your tutor to provide it.

Start reading Get the original PDF, if you want it

What you should be able to do

Define religion from various perspectives.
Explain the major theories of religion.
Discuss the relationship between religion and society.
Analyze the impact of colonialism on Nigerian politics.
Evaluate the role of religion in promoting or hindering democracy.
Identify the key challenges facing contemporary Nigerian society.

What it prepares you for

Careers

Religious Affairs Analyst
Political Analyst
Social Worker
Community Development Officer
Conflict Resolution Specialist

Where it is applied

Government
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Religious Institutions
Research and Academia
Community Development

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

Module 2: Religion and Modernity
Unit 3: Religion and Secularization
Requires understanding of complex philosophical arguments and historical context of secularization.
Module 3: History of Politics
Unit 5: Contending Explanatory Models of Instability
Involves grasping intricate historical events and their impact on political instability.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 26 hours in total. Yours will differ.

Week 1Module 1: INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION
- Unit 1: Concept of Religion · 2 hours
  Read the introduction to Unit 1.. Define religion from sociological, theological, psychological, and philosophical perspectives.. Identify the characteristic features of religion.. Discuss the aims and importance of studying religion..
Week 2Module 1: INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION
- Unit 2: Islam · 2 hours
  Read the introduction to Unit 2.. Define Islam and trace its origin and spread.. Discuss the history of Prophet Mohammed.. Explain the core doctrines and worship practices of Islam..
Week 3Module 1: INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION
- Unit 3: Theories and Perspectives of Religion · 2 hours
  Read the introduction to Unit 3.. Discuss anthropological, sociological, and psychological theories of religion.. Explain the different perspectives used in analyzing religion.. Compare and contrast the theories of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim..
Week 4Module 1: INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION
- Unit 4: Major Religions in Nigeria · 2 hours
  Read the introduction to Unit 4.. Discuss the nature and sources of African Traditional Religion (ATR).. Explain the major beliefs and practices of ATR.. Compare ATR with Islam and Christianity in Nigeria..
Week 5Module 1: INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION
- Unit 5: New Religious Movements · 2 hours
  Read the introduction to Unit 5.. Explain the emergence and characteristics of New Religious Movements (NRMs).. Discuss the various types of NRMs in Nigeria.. Analyze the reasons for the growth and expansion of NRMs..
Week 6Module 1: INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION
- Unit 6: Religion and Nigerian Society · 2 hours
  Read the introduction to Unit 6.. Discuss the role of religion in Nigerian society.. Explain how religion promotes social cohesion and control.. Analyze the importance and functions of religion in Nigeria..
Week 7Module 1: INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION
- Unit 7: Theories on Functions of Religion in Nigerian Society · 2 hours
  Read the introduction to Unit 7.. Discuss the theories on functions of religion in Nigerian society.. Explain the sociological, psychological, and Marxist perspectives on religion.. Analyze the integrative function of religion in Nigeria..
Week 8Module 2: Religion and Modernity
- Unit 1: Forms of Religious Organizations · 2 hours
  Read the introduction to Unit 1.. Define the concept of power and its sources.. Discuss the role of religious leadership in society.. Analyze the relationship between political leadership and social change..
Week 9Module 2: Religion and Modernity
- Unit 2: Religion and Culture · 2 hours
  Read the introduction to Unit 2.. Discuss the relationship between religion and culture.. Explain how religion influences cultural norms and values.. Analyze the impact of cultural syncretism on religion..
Week 10Module 2: Religion and Modernity
- Unit 3: Religion and Secularization · 2 hours
  Read the introduction to Unit 3.. Define secularization and its sources.. Discuss the attitude of religion and science towards each other.. Analyze the future of religion and science in a secular world..
Week 11Module 2: Religion and Modernity
- Unit 4: Religion and Politics · 2 hours
  Read the introduction to Unit 4.. Discuss the relationship between religion and politics.. Explain the concept of political religion.. Analyze the role of liberation theology in religious politics..
Week 12Module 2: Religion and Modernity
- Unit 5: Religion and Science · 2 hours
  Read the introduction to Unit 5.. Discuss the relationship between religion and science.. Explain the methodologies used in science and religion.. Analyze the attitudes of religion and science towards each other..
Week 13Module 2: Religion and Modernity
- Unit 6: Religion and Stratification, Unit 7: Religion and Democracy · 2 hours
  Read the introduction to Unit 6 and Unit 7.. Define religion and stratification.. Discuss the role of religion among the oppressed.. Differentiate between radical and conservative religion.. Define religion and democracy.. Analyze the role of religion in sustaining democracy..

Preparing for the exam

What to do

Create a detailed study schedule and stick to it consistently.
Focus on understanding the key concepts and theories discussed in each unit.
Practice applying the theories to real-world examples and case studies.
Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and your tutor's feedback.
Prepare concise summaries of each unit to aid in quick revision.
Create concept maps linking different modules and units to see the bigger picture.
Pay special attention to the peak difficulty periods and allocate more time to those units.

Questions students ask about this course

What is CRS872 about?

How many units does CRS872 have?

CRS872, Religion, Power and Politics in Contemporary Nigeria Society, has 21 units across 3 modules, over 339 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is CRS872?

CRS872 carries 2 credit units, at 800 level in Arts.

Is CRS872 hard?

CRS872 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.

How long does CRS872 take to study?

About 60 hours of study, spread across its 21 units.

How is CRS872 assessed?

CRS872 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.

What can I do with CRS872?

Religious Affairs Analyst, Political Analyst, Social Worker, Community Development Officer and Conflict Resolution Specialist.

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