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CRS881Arts2 Unitsintermediate

African Traditional Religiuos Mythology and Cosmology

This course introduces students to African Traditional Religious Mythology and Cosmology. It explores the definition, structure, and trends in the study of African Traditional Religion. The course also examines African religious mythology, concepts of God, humanity, mystical powers, and spirit forces. Additionally, it covers African cosmology, cosmogony, creation myths, worship, sacrifice, rituals, rites of passage, and beliefs about death and the afterlife.

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156h
Study Time
13
Weeks
12h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
African Traditional ReligionMythologyCosmologyAfrican TheismRituals

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

African Traditional Religion

2

Religious Mythology

3

Cosmology

4

African Theism

5

Concept of Humanity

6

Mystical Powers

7

Spirit Forces

8

Rites of Passage

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 Assessments

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

Theologian

Apply your skills in this growing field

Cultural Anthropologist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Missionary

Apply your skills in this growing field

Religious Educator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

EducationReligious OrganizationsCultural ResearchCommunity Development

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Introduction to Religion

2h

Unit 1: Introduction to Religion

2 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Study the definitions of religion from theological, moral, philosophical, psychological, and sociological perspectives.
  • •Identify and explain the different types of religion.
  • •Discuss the significance and functions of religion in society.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
2

Module 1: Introduction to Religion

2h

Unit 2: Definition of African Traditional Religion

2 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Examine the challenges in defining African Traditional Religion.
  • •Discuss errors in terminology and obstacles in studying African Traditional Religion.
  • •Identify stages in the study of African Traditional Religion.
  • •State basic rules for studying African Traditional Religion.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
3

Module 1: Introduction to Religion

2h

Unit 3: Structure of African Traditional Religion

2 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Explain the structure of African Traditional Religion.
  • •Discuss the main elements: belief in God, divinities, spirits, ancestors, magic, and medicine.
  • •Analyze why African Traditional Religion is not polytheism.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
4

Module 1: Introduction to Religion

2h

Unit 4: Trends in the Study of African Traditional Religion

2 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Discuss the trends in the study of African Traditional Religion.
  • •List scholars involved in the study.
  • •Evaluate the current trend in studying African Traditional Religion.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
5

Module 1: Introduction to Religion

2h

Unit 5: Methodology for the Study of African Traditional Religion

2 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •List methodological approaches used in studying African Traditional Religion.
  • •Evaluate the appropriateness of these approaches.
  • •State the applicability of various methodological approaches.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
6

Module 1: Introduction to Religion

2h

Unit 6: Theories for the Study of African Traditional Religion

2 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •State the different theories of the origin of religion.
  • •Describe the Naturalistic, Theological, Speculative, Mythological, Psychological, Fetishism, Monotheistic, Psychoanalytic, Dreams, Magico-Religious, Anthropological, and Sociological Theories.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
7

Module 1: Introduction to Religion

2h

Unit 7: Taboos and Totems in African Traditional Religion

2 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Define totem and taboo.
  • •Explain the relationship between totems and taboos in African Traditional Religion.
  • •Discuss the typology of taboos.
  • •Explain the role and significance of taboos in African religion and culture.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
8

Module 2: African Religious Mythology

2h

Unit 1: Definition of African Religious Mythology

2 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Define the term African Religious Mythology.
  • •Give the characteristics of African Religious Mythology.
  • •State the distinction between mythology, legend, and traditional stories.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
9

Module 2: African Religious Mythology

2h

Unit 2: Nature and Origin of African Religious Mythology

2 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Discuss the history of African religious mythology.
  • •Examine theories of the origin of African religious mythology.
  • •Give the taxonomy of African religious mythology.
  • •Discuss the myths of the origin of death in human society.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
10

Module 2: African Religious Mythology

2h

Unit 3: Religious Concepts in African Mythology

2 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Discuss the concept of salvation.
  • •Discuss the African concept of divine.
  • •State the concept of human beings and animals.
  • •Explain the African concepts of death and after-life.
  • •Discuss the concept of human destiny.
  • •Discuss the concept of evil in African worldview.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
11

Module 2: African Religious Mythology

2h

Unit 4: African Theism and Concept of God

2 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Explain the concept of God in African Traditional Religion.
  • •Discuss the nature and anthropomorphic attributes of God.
  • •State the typology of the name of God.
  • •Explain the worship of God.
  • •Discuss God and mankind.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
12

Module 2: African Religious Mythology

2h

Unit 5: Nature and Concept of Humanity in African Traditional Religion

2 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Discuss the concept of humanity.
  • •Give the origin of the human beings.
  • •State the nature of humanity.
  • •Narrate the features of humanity.
  • •Explain the philosophical perception of the human beings.
  • •State the anthropological conception of human beings.
  • •Discuss the African religious perception of humanity.
  • •Evaluate the relationship between humanity and the community.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
13

Module 2: African Religious Mythology

4h

Unit 6: Mystical Powers in African Traditional Religion

2 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Explain the role of priests/priestesses in African traditional religion.
  • •Discuss what the Africans believe concerning medicine practitioners.
  • •Identify the African belief about diviners.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.

Unit 7: Spirits Forces in African Traditional Religion

2 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and objectives.
  • •Explain the cult of divinities in African traditional religion.
  • •List and explain the divinities in some African societies.
  • •Give the functions of divinities in African traditional religion.
  • •State the roles of ancestors in African traditional religion.
  • •Discuss the typology of magic in African traditional religion.
  • •Differentiate between witchcraft and sorcery.
  • •Complete 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 your tutor's comments to identify areas of weakness.

2

Create concept maps linking key terms and concepts from each module to reinforce understanding.

3

Focus on understanding the core beliefs and practices of African Traditional Religion as outlined in Modules 1 and 2.

4

Practice answering essay questions related to the topics covered in the course guide, such as the definition of religion and the structure of African Traditional Religion.

5

Allocate sufficient time to revise the entire course content after studying the last unit, ensuring you have achieved the unit objectives.

6

Pay close attention to the functions of mythologies in African Traditional Religion and the African understanding of God from Module 2.

7

Prepare summaries of each unit, focusing on key definitions, concepts, and examples, to aid recall during the examination.

8

Review the various theories of the origin of African Traditional Religion and be prepared to compare and contrast them.

9

Familiarize yourself with the different types of African religious mythologies and their significance.

10

Study the rites of passage in African Traditional Religion and their implications for individuals and communities.

11

Understand the African concepts of death and the afterlife, and how they influence funeral practices and beliefs.

12

Create flashcards with key terms and definitions to aid memorization and quick recall during the exam.

13

Practice time management by allocating specific time slots for each question during the exam to ensure all questions are attempted.

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