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YOR318

Thought and Belief of the Yoruba People

  • Arts
  • 300 level
  • 2 credit units
  • 131 pages
  • 1 units

This course provides a detailed and analytical study of the thought, belief, and religious systems of the Yorùbá people. It explores Yorùbá beliefs related to Olódùmarè, creation, and òrìṣàs, as well as non-religious beliefs concerning children, beauty, money, and friendship. The course also examines Yorùbá perspectives on names, health, destiny, death, and the role of traditional rulers. It aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of Yorùbá culture and philosophy.

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About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
120 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 YOR318, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.

Module 1

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

YOR318 · YOR318

1.0 Ìfáárà Ǹjẹ́ Yorùbá gbà pé Olódùmarè wà? Nínú ìdánilẹ́kọ̀ọ́ yìí ni a ó ti mọ̀ ìgbàgbọ́ Yorùbá nípa Olódùmarè, ohun tí Olódùmarè jẹ́, orúkọ Olódùmarè àti oríkì Rẹ̀.

Start readingGet the original PDF, if you want it

What you should be able to do

  1. Explain the Yorùbá concept of Olódùmarè and the creation of the world.
  2. Identify and describe the major òrìṣàs in the Yorùbá pantheon.
  3. Analyze the Yorùbá beliefs about destiny, reincarnation, and the afterlife.
  4. Discuss the Yorùbá values related to family, community, and social responsibility.
  5. Evaluate the role of traditional rulers in Yorùbá society.
  6. Apply Yorùbá philosophical concepts to contemporary ethical dilemmas.

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Cultural Anthropologist
  • Religious Studies Scholar
  • Community Development Officer
  • Heritage Manager
  • Linguist
Where it is applied
  • Cultural heritage preservation
  • Tourism
  • Education
  • Social work
  • Public administration

Where it gets hard

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

  • Module 1: Ìgbàgbó Àwọn Yorùbá Tó Farahàn Nínú Ẹ̀sìn Wọn

    Unit 4: Ìgbàgbó Yorùbá Nípa Àwọn Ẹ̀mí Àìrí

    The abstract nature of the spirit world and its influence on human affairs can be challenging to grasp without prior knowledge of Yorùbá cosmology.

  • Module 3: Èrò Àwọn Yorùbá Tó Jẹ́yọ Nínú Àṣà Wọn

    Unit 1: Èrò Àwọn Yorùbá Nípa Orúkọ

    Understanding the nuances of Yorùbá proverbs and idioms requires a deep understanding of the language and cultural context.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 45 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: Ìgbàgbó Àwọn Yorùbá Tó Farahàn Nínú Ẹ̀sìn Wọn

    • Unit 1: Ìgbàgbó Yorùbá Nípa Olódùmarè · 3 hours

      Read the introduction to the course and understand the objectives.. Study the Yorùbá belief in Olódùmarè, including the origin and meaning of the name.. Identify the various names and attributes of Olódùmarè..

  2. Week 2Module 1: Ìgbàgbó Àwọn Yorùbá Tó Farahàn Nínú Ẹ̀sìn Wọn

    • Unit 2: Ìgbàgbó Yorùbá Nípa Ìṣẹ̀dá Ayé · 3 hours

      Explore the Yorùbá account of the creation of the world.. Understand the significance of Ilé-Ifè as the origin of creation.. Compare and contrast different accounts of creation..

  3. Week 3Module 1: Ìgbàgbó Àwọn Yorùbá Tó Farahàn Nínú Ẹ̀sìn Wọn

    • Unit 3: Ìgbàgbó Yorùbá Nínú Àwọn Òrìṣà · 3 hours

      Examine the role of òrìṣàs in Yorùbá belief.. Identify the different types of òrìṣàs and their functions.. Understand the relationship between Olódùmarè and the òrìṣàs..

  4. Week 4Module 1: Ìgbàgbó Àwọn Yorùbá Tó Farahàn Nínú Ẹ̀sìn Wọn

    • Unit 4: Ìgbàgbó Yorùbá Nípa Àwọn Ẹ̀mí Àìrí · 3 hours

      Study the Yorùbá concept of the immortal spirit (èmí).. Explore the Yorùbá beliefs about reincarnation (àtúnyíwáyé).. Understand the significance of abàmì ẹdá (unusual births)..

    • Unit 5: Ìgbàgbó Yorùbá Nípa Àṣèyìnwáyé àti Àwọn Abàmì Ẹ̀dá · 3 hours

      Study the Yorùbá concept of the immortal spirit (èmí).. Explore the Yorùbá beliefs about reincarnation (àtúnyíwáyé).. Understand the significance of abàmì ẹdá (unusual births)..

  5. Week 5Module 2: Ìgbàgbó Àwọn Yorùbá Tí Kò Níí Ṣe Pẹ̀lú Ẹ̀sìn Wọn

    • Unit 1: Ìgbàgbó Yorùbá Nípa Ọmọ · 3 hours

      Understand the importance of children in Yorùbá society.. Explore the Yorùbá beliefs about the causes of childlessness.. Identify the traditional practices for preventing childlessness..

  6. Week 6Module 2: Ìgbàgbó Àwọn Yorùbá Tí Kò Níí Ṣe Pẹ̀lú Ẹ̀sìn Wọn

    • Unit 2: Ìgbàgbó Yorùbá Nípa Ẹwà · 3 hours

      Examine the significance of beauty in Yorùbá culture.. Understand the relationship between beauty and character (ìwà).. Explore the different ways of enhancing beauty in Yorùbá tradition..

  7. Week 7Module 2: Ìgbàgbó Àwọn Yorùbá Tí Kò Níí Ṣe Pẹ̀lú Ẹ̀sìn Wọn

    • Unit 3: Ìgbàgbó Yorùbá Nípa Owó · 3 hours

      Explore the Yorùbá concept of money and its importance.. Understand the traditional forms of exchange before the introduction of currency.. Examine the Yorùbá attitudes towards wealth and poverty..

  8. Week 8Module 2: Ìgbàgbó Àwọn Yorùbá Tí Kò Níí Ṣe Pẹ̀lú Ẹ̀sìn Wọn

    • Unit 4: Ìgbàgbó Àwọn Yorùbá Nípa Ọ̀rẹ́ · 3 hours

      Understand the Yorùbá concept of friendship.. Explore the different types of friends and their roles.. Identify the qualities of a good friend in Yorùbá tradition..

  9. Week 9Module 2: Ìgbàgbó Àwọn Yorùbá Tí Kò Níí Ṣe Pẹ̀lú Ẹ̀sìn Wọn

    • Unit 5: Ìgbàgbó Àwọn Yorùbá Nípa Ẹ̀san · 3 hours

      Examine the Yorùbá concept of retribution (ẹ̀san).. Understand the belief that all actions have consequences.. Explore the role of Olódùmarè as the ultimate judge..

  10. Week 10Module 3: Èrò Àwọn Yorùbá Tó Jẹ́yọ Nínú Àṣà Wọn

    • Unit 1: Èrò Àwọn Yorùbá Nípa Orúkọ · 3 hours

      Understand the significance of names in Yorùbá culture.. Explore the different types of Yorùbá names and their meanings.. Examine the naming ceremonies and their importance..

  11. Week 11Module 3: Èrò Àwọn Yorùbá Tó Jẹ́yọ Nínú Àṣà Wọn

    • Unit 2: Èrò Àwọn Yorùbá Nípa Ìlera · 3 hours

      Examine the Yorùbá concept of health and well-being.. Understand the traditional methods of maintaining health.. Explore the Yorùbá beliefs about the causes of illness..

  12. Week 12Module 3: Èrò Àwọn Yorùbá Tó Jẹ́yọ Nínú Àṣà Wọn

    • Unit 3: Èrò Àwọn Yorùbá Nípa Orí · 3 hours

      Understand the significance of the head (orí) in Yorùbá belief.. Explore the concepts of àkúnlẹ̀yàn (chosen destiny) and àkúnlẹ̀gbà (received destiny).. Examine the Yorùbá beliefs about the power and influence of orí..

  13. Week 13Module 3: Èrò Àwọn Yorùbá Tó Jẹ́yọ Nínú Àṣà Wọn

    • Unit 4: Èrò Àwọn Yorùbá Nípa Ikú · 3 hours

      Examine the Yorùbá concept of death and the afterlife.. Understand the traditional burial rites and ceremonies.. Explore the Yorùbá beliefs about the ancestors and their role in the lives of the living..

    • Unit 5: Èrò Àwọn Yorùbá Nípa Àwọn Ọba Alayé · 3 hours

      Understand the role and responsibilities of traditional rulers (ọba) in Yorùbá society.. Explore the Yorùbá beliefs about the divine authority of the ọba.. Examine the process of selecting and installing a new ọba..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create detailed summaries of each unit, focusing on key concepts and beliefs.
  • Develop flashcards for important Yorùbá terms and their definitions.
  • Practice essay questions on the major themes of the course, such as the role of Olódùmarè, the nature of destiny, and the importance of community.
  • Review all Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) and ensure you understand the feedback provided.
  • Focus on understanding the relationships between different Yorùbá beliefs and how they influence social practices.
  • Create concept maps linking Units 3-5 òrìṣà concepts
  • Practice analyzing Yorùbá proverbs and their meanings in different contexts from Units 7-9 weekly.
  • Dedicate specific study sessions to memorizing key names, places, and events from the course material.
  • Form a study group with other students to discuss challenging concepts and share insights.
  • Review the course objectives and ensure you can address each one with confidence.

Questions students ask about this course

What is YOR318 about?

This course provides a detailed and analytical study of the thought, belief, and religious systems of the Yorùbá people. It explores Yorùbá beliefs related to Olódùmarè, creation, and òrìṣàs, as well as non-religious beliefs concerning children, beauty, money, and friendship. The course also examines Yorùbá perspectives on names, health, destiny, death, and the role of traditional rulers. It aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of Yorùbá culture and philosophy.

How many units does YOR318 have?

YOR318, Thought and Belief of the Yoruba People, has 1 unit across 1 module, over 131 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is YOR318?

YOR318 carries 2 credit units, at 300 level in Arts.

Is YOR318 hard?

YOR318 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.

How long does YOR318 take to study?

About 120 hours of study, spread across its 1 units.

How is YOR318 assessed?

YOR318 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.

What can I do with YOR318?

Cultural Anthropologist, Religious Studies Scholar, Community Development Officer, Heritage Manager and Linguist.

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