Theology of African Traditional Religion
- Arts
- 800 level
- 2 credit units
- 59 pages
- 14 units
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.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 40 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assignments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of CRS880, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
- UNIT 1 ESCHATOLOGY IN AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGIONPage 37
- UNIT 2 THE HUMAN AGENCY IN AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGIONPage 41
- UNIT 3 MODERNIZATION AND AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGIONPage 45
- UNIT 4 THE CONTEMPORARY STUDY OF AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGIONPage 50
- UNIT 5 AFRCAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION AND OTHER RELIGIONSPage 54
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
CRS880 · 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 and explain the key concepts and terminology related to African Traditional Religion.
- Analyze the theological foundations of African Traditional Religion.
- Evaluate the ethical and moral principles within African Traditional Religion.
- Assess the impact of modernization on African Traditional Religion.
- Compare and contrast African Traditional Religion with other religious traditions.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the contemporary study of African Traditional Religion.
What it prepares you for
- Religious Studies Scholar
- Cultural Anthropologist
- Theologian
- Interfaith Dialogue Facilitator
- Cultural Heritage Manager
- Religious Organizations
- Cultural Heritage Preservation
- Academic Research
- Interfaith Organizations
- Tourism
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1: Introduction
Unit 2: Theology of African Traditional Religion
The unit requires understanding abstract concepts and various perspectives, which may be challenging for students unfamiliar with religious studies.
- Module 2:
Unit 1: Ethics in African Traditional Religion
The unit requires critical thinking to analyze the ethical implications of cultural practices within ATR.
- Module 3:
Unit 3: Modernization and African Traditional Religion
The unit requires synthesizing information from various disciplines to understand the complex interplay between modernization and ATR.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 42 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Introduction
Unit 1: Definitions of African Traditional Religion · 3 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 2Module 1: Introduction
Unit 2: Theology of African Traditional Religion · 3 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 3Module 1: Introduction
Unit 3: Creation in African Traditional Religion · 3 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 4Module 1: Introduction
Unit 4: The African Concept of Human Beings · 3 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 5Module 2:
Unit 1: Ethics in African Traditional Religion · 3 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 6Module 2:
Unit 2: Judgment in African Traditional Religion · 3 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 7Module 2:
Unit 3: Reincarnation in African Traditional Religion · 3 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 8Module 2:
Unit 4: Women in African Traditional Religion · 3 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 9Module 2:
Unit 5: Sin and Reward in African Traditional Religion · 3 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 10Module 3:
Unit 1: Eschatology in African Traditional Religion · 3 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 11Module 3:
Unit 2: The Human Agency in African Traditional Religion · 3 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 12Module 3:
Unit 3: Modernization and African Traditional Religion · 3 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 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 13Module 3:
Unit 5: African Traditional Religion and other Religions · 3 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..
Preparing for the exam
- Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and their solutions to identify key concepts and areas of focus.
- Create concept maps linking the different components of African Traditional Religion (God, divinities, ancestors, spirits) covered in Module 1.
- Compare and contrast the ethical principles of ATR with those of other religions discussed in Unit 5 of Module 3.
- Focus on understanding the impact of modernization on ATR, as covered in Module 3, Unit 3, and its implications for contemporary practice.
- Practice answering essay questions on the core beliefs and practices of ATR, such as creation, eschatology, and ancestor veneration.
- Allocate specific study time for each module, prioritizing areas where you feel less confident.
Questions students ask about this course
What is CRS880 about?
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.
How many units does CRS880 have?
CRS880, Theology of African Traditional Religion, has 14 units across 3 modules, over 59 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is CRS880?
CRS880 carries 2 credit units, at 800 level in Arts.
Is CRS880 hard?
CRS880 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does CRS880 take to study?
About 40 hours of study, spread across its 14 units.
How is CRS880 assessed?
CRS880 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assignments and final examination.
What can I do with CRS880?
Religious Studies Scholar, Cultural Anthropologist, Theologian, Interfaith Dialogue Facilitator and Cultural Heritage Manager.