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CRS880Arts2 Unitsintermediate

Theology of African Traditional Religion

This course explores the theology of African Traditional Religion (ATR). It examines the definitions, labels, and components of ATR, emphasizing its relationship with African culture. The course delves into the African understanding of God, creation, human beings, ethics, judgment, reincarnation, and the role of women in ATR. It also addresses the impact of modernization and the relationship between ATR and other religions, providing a comprehensive overview of ATR's theological foundations and contemporary relevance.

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40h
Study Time
13
Weeks
3h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
African Traditional ReligionTheologyAfrican CultureDivinitiesAncestors

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Definitions and Labels of African Traditional Religion

2

Theology of African Traditional Religion

3

Creation and Cosmology in ATR

4

African Concept of Human Beings

5

Ethics and Morality in ATR

6

Eschatology and Ancestor Veneration

7

Modernization and ATR

8

Inter-religious Relations

Total Topics8 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Religious Studies Scholar

Apply your skills in this growing field

Cultural Anthropologist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Theologian

Apply your skills in this growing field

Interfaith Dialogue Facilitator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Cultural Heritage Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

Religious OrganizationsCultural Heritage PreservationAcademic ResearchInterfaith OrganizationsTourism

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Introduction

3h

Unit 1: Definitions of African Traditional Religion

3 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Study the definitions of African Traditional Religion and related labels.
  • •Reflect on the relationship between African culture and ATR.
  • •Complete Self-Assessment Exercises 1-5.
  • •Attempt the Tutor-Marked Assignment.
Week
2

Module 1: Introduction

3h

Unit 2: Theology of African Traditional Religion

3 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Study the theology of African Traditional Religion, its contents, approaches, tasks, sources and methodology.
  • •Reflect on the African's way of understanding God.
  • •Complete Self-Assessment Exercises 1-5.
  • •Attempt the Tutor-Marked Assignment.
Week
3

Module 1: Introduction

3h

Unit 3: Creation in African Traditional Religion

3 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Study God as Creator, the process of creation, the purpose of creation, the care of creation and the interaction of created things.
  • •Reflect on the African's belief about creation.
  • •Complete Self-Assessment Exercises 1-4.
  • •Attempt the Tutor-Marked Assignment.
Week
4

Module 1: Introduction

3h

Unit 4: The African Concept of Human Beings

3 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Study the source of human beings, the visible and invisible composition of human beings, the position cycle of life and the end transmission of human life.
  • •Reflect on the African's concept of human beings.
  • •Complete Self-Assessment Exercises 1-5.
  • •Attempt the Tutor-Marked Assignment.
Week
5

Module 2:

3h

Unit 1: Ethics in African Traditional Religion

3 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Study God as the source of ethics, guiding principles of ethics, concept of good and evil, custodians of ethics and ethics and harmony.
  • •Reflect on the concept of ethics in African Traditional Religion.
  • •Complete Self-Assessment Exercises 1-5.
  • •Attempt the Tutor-Marked Assignment.
Week
6

Module 2:

3h

Unit 2: Judgment in African Traditional Religion

3 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Study judgment and morality, agents of judgment, methods of judgment and judgment and human responsibility.
  • •Reflect on the concept of judgment in African Traditional Religion.
  • •Complete Self-Assessment Exercises 1-4.
  • •Attempt the Tutor-Marked Assignment.
Week
7

Module 2:

3h

Unit 3: Reincarnation in African Traditional Religion

3 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Study the principles of re-incarnation, methods of re-incarnation, influence of re-incarnation and peculiarities re-incarnation.
  • •Reflect on the belief of the adherents of African Traditional Religion in re-incarnation.
  • •Complete Self-Assessment Exercises 1-4.
  • •Attempt the Tutor-Marked Assignment.
Week
8

Module 2:

3h

Unit 4: Women in African Traditional Religion

3 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Study African gender construct, the role of women, the place of women and challenges for women's roles.
  • •Reflect on the place and role of women in African Traditional Religion.
  • •Complete Self-Assessment Exercises 1-4.
  • •Attempt the Tutor-Marked Assignment.
Week
9

Module 2:

3h

Unit 5: Sin and Reward in African Traditional Religion

3 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Study the concept of sin and reward, the methods of sin and reward, agents in control of sin and reward and the concepts of punishment and removal of sin.
  • •Reflect on the concept of sin and reward in African Traditional Religion.
  • •Complete Self-Assessment Exercises 1-4.
  • •Attempt the Tutor-Marked Assignment.
Week
10

Module 3:

3h

Unit 1: Eschatology in African Traditional Religion

3 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Study the cyclic concept of eschatology, eschatology and morality, burial ceremonies and mourning.
  • •Reflect on the concept of eschatology in African Traditional Religions.
  • •Complete Self-Assessment Exercises 1-4.
  • •Attempt the Tutor-Marked Assignment.
Week
11

Module 3:

3h

Unit 2: The Human Agency in African Traditional Religion

3 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Study the role of human beings, human agency in worship, the dynamics of human agency and limitations of human agency.
  • •Reflect on the human agency in African Traditional Religion.
  • •Complete Self-Assessment Exercises 1-4.
  • •Attempt the Tutor-Marked Assignment.
Week
12

Module 3:

6h

Unit 3: Modernization and African Traditional Religion

3 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Study the effect of modernization on worship, urbanization, the media, materialism and African Traditional Religion in the Diaspora.
  • •Reflect on the impact of modernization on African Traditional Religion.
  • •Complete Self-Assessment Exercises 1-5.
  • •Attempt the Tutor-Marked Assignment.

Unit 4: The Contemporary Study of African Traditional Religion

3 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Study theories in the study of religion, the influence of multidisciplinary approaches, tools and trends.
  • •Reflect on the contemporary study of African Traditional Religion.
  • •Complete Self-Assessment Exercises 1-4.
  • •Attempt the Tutor-Marked Assignment.
Week
13

Module 3:

3h

Unit 5: African Traditional Religion and other Religions

3 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Study the initial contact between African Traditional Religion and Christianity and Islam, tension and its resolution and borrowing and negotiations.
  • •Reflect on the relationship between African Traditional Religion and other religions.
  • •Complete Self-Assessment Exercises 1-4.
  • •Attempt the Tutor-Marked Assignment.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

Access PDF Material

Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and their solutions to identify key concepts and areas of focus.

2

Create concept maps linking the different components of African Traditional Religion (God, divinities, ancestors, spirits) covered in Module 1.

3

Compare and contrast the ethical principles of ATR with those of other religions discussed in Unit 5 of Module 3.

4

Focus on understanding the impact of modernization on ATR, as covered in Module 3, Unit 3, and its implications for contemporary practice.

5

Practice answering essay questions on the core beliefs and practices of ATR, such as creation, eschatology, and ancestor veneration.

6

Allocate specific study time for each module, prioritizing areas where you feel less confident.

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