Overview
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Degree Profile of Master of Arts in Religious Studies (MARS)
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Institution: |
Midlands State University |
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Type of Degree |
One and half Years |
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Credit Load: |
300 credits |
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Level: |
ZNQF-Level 9 |
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Accreditation Organisation(s): |
Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education |
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Period of reference:
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Accredited by ZIMCHE
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Purpose of the Programme
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The programme seeks to develop sound conceptual, analytical and critical skills in students that are required for success in the field of African Traditional Religions; Religion and Ethics; Religion and Sustainable Development; Religion and Gender; Phenomenology of Religion; Christian History and Thought; Practical Theology; Old Testament Studies; and New Testament Studies. It also seeks engage students intellectually and professionally in the critical theological, philosophical, ethical and religious issues pertinent to the needs of the 21st Century.
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Entry Requirements
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Entry Requirements
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· To be enrolled into the programme, prospective students should be holders of a good Honors Degree in either Religious Studies; Theology; or Theology and Religious Studies with at least 60% average in one of those subject areas. · To specialize in Old Testament Studies requires one to have at least a 2.1 or better in Biblical Hebrew at Honors Level. · To specialize in New Testament Studies requires one to have at least a 2.1 or better in Hellenistic Greek at Honors Level.
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Additional Info
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Programme Characteristics
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Areas of study
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African Traditional Religions; Religion and Ethics; Religion and Sustainable Development; Religion and Gender; Phenomenology of Religion; Christian History and Thought; Practical Theology; Old Testament Studies; and New Testament Studies.
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Specialist Focus |
Engagement of Religion in Contemporary Issues such as HIV/AIDS, Gender, Development, Ecology, Social Transformation. |
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Orientation
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The programme takes a multi-cultural approach where diversity and tolerance of other religions is emphasized.
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Distinctive Features |
– Interaction with seasoned scholars (Sabbatical Fellows). – Grooming of versatile post-graduates who can relate and be problem solvers to contemporary challenges. – A strong and active tradition of language and textual expertise – Regular research seminars with visiting speakers |
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GENERAL PROVISIONS
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CREDITS · Each single Module other than the Thesis shall have a weighting of 30 Credits. · The Thesis shall have a weighting of 60 Credits. · Award of the Master of Arts degree shall require an accrual of a minimum of 300 Credits.
DISSERTATION · Refer to Section 20 of the General Regulations. · Thesis Assessment – A viva (which must be organized by the Chairperson) contributes 25%, while the marking of the submitted copy contributes 75% to the final mark of the thesis. However, even if the student(s) earn more than 50% for the marking of the submitted copy and failed the viva, he/she must repeat the thesis. · The length of the Thesis should be from 15 000 to 20 000 words.
STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAMME · The programme shall consist of 8 Modules and a Thesis. At Level 1.1 students are required to take four (4) Core Modules. At Level 1.2 students are required to take also four (4) Core Modules. · Level 2.1 shall be for the Thesis writing. · Each semester shall normally involve 12 weeks of learning, 1 week of private study and then 2 weeks of formal examinations. · The Programme shall consist of 9 areas of specialization. A student admitted to the programme shall be expected to specialize in one of these areas.
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Career Opportunities and Further Education |
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Employability:
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Religious Studies graduates can find employment; in high schools offering lessons on all issues covered under the new curriculum: Family and Religious Studies (Form 1-4 & 5-6); work in religious institutions as counsellors, lecturers, administrators or pastors; in NGOs as gender activists, counsellors; those who are pastors already can be employed as Chaplains for the uniformed forces like the Prisons, Police, Army; in welfare institutions as gender activists, HIV/AIDS counsellors and advisors; in colleges and universities as lecturers and any other religious oriented fields.
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Further Studies |
PhD Studies
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Programme Delivery
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Teaching and Learning Methods |
Lectures, Tutorials, Seminars, Group Work, Research project.
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Assessment Methods |
ASSESSMENT · Examinations, which shall normally be written at the end of each semester, comprise of three hour papers – 70%. · Continuous assessment that includes assignments, tests and projects shall constitute 30% of the total assessment. · A student is normally required to attain at least 75% attendance of tutorials, lectures and seminar.
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Programme Competencies |
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Generic:
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Intended Learning Outcomes |
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1. African Traditional Religion
On successful completion of the programme, the holder of this qualification should be able to; 1.1 Explore relationships between African Indigenous Religion(s) and theological, social, economic, political and technological discourses. 1.2 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the significance of African indigenous religious system. 1.3 Analyse a variety of approaches used in the study of African Indigenous Religion(s). 1.4 Interrogate the value of African Indigenous Religion(s). 1.5 Evaluate the use of African indigenous concepts to solve societal challenges. 1.6 Apply an understanding of the significance of African indigenous religious conviction in a pluralistic context.
2. Phenomenology of Religion
On Successful completion of the programme, the holder of this qualification should be able to; 2.1 Describe religious phenomena amongst religions of human kind. 2.2 Demonstrate an understanding and interpretation of the meaning of religion in a pluralistic context 2.3 Assess the importance of religion on matters of peace, environment, women, Disability. 2.4 Evaluate the socio-scientific approaches to study of religions. 2.5 Utilise phenomenological concepts to engage in interreligious dialogue. 2.6 Apply concepts of religious phenomena to human rights, politics and the digital world
3. Old Testament Studies
On successful completion of the Programme, the holder of this qualification should be able to: 3.1 Demonstrate significant knowledge of the history and methods of the study of the Old Testament 3.2 Make a historical reconstruction of the life and faith of ancient Israel from the text of the Old Testament 3.3 Analyse the major themes running across the Old Testament Books. 3.4 Utilize the major themes to synthesize the theology of the Old Testament. 3.5 Evaluate selected theories of Old Testament interpretation from key Old Testament Scholarship 3.6 Apply the theological knowledge learnt to solve the diverse challenges arising from the Old Testament in Zimbabwe today.
4. New Testament Studies On successful completion of the Programme, the holder of this qualification should be able to: 4.1 Demonstrate significant knowledge of the history and methods of the study of the New Testament 4.2 Make a historical reconstruction of the life and teaching of Jesus and the Early Church from the text of the New Testament 4.3 Analyse the major themes running across the New Testament Books. 4.4 Utilize the major themes to synthesize the theology of the New Testament. 4.5 Evaluate selected theories of New Testament interpretation from key New Testament Scholarship 4.6 Apply the theological knowledge learnt to solve the diverse challenges arising from the New Testament in Zimbabwe today.
5. Religion and Gender
On successful completion of the programme, the learner should be able to: 5.1 Utilize gender as an analytical category in an interreligious context. 5.2 Analyse gender discourses in cultural and religious circumstances. 5.3 Apply aspects of gender in interdisciplinary and trans-disciplinary contexts. 5.4 Demonstrate religiously motivated gender attitudes in practical professional applications. 5.5 Develop in-depth knowledge of basic texts, traditions and discourses in theology and religious studies.
6. Religion and Sustainable Development On successful completion of the programme, the learner should be able to: 6.1 Sustainably cherish natural resources with respect to the core religious values of their communities. 6.2 Offer religious-oriented consultancy and support services to communities in need of managing their God-given natural resources. 6.3 Research and publish in religious studies and sustainable development 6.4 Initiate religious and sustainable initiatives that address the many challenges of the world such as war, HIV/AIDS, famine and environmental change.
7. Religion and Ethics On Successful completion of the programme, the learner should be able to: 7.1 Identify important ethical issues that occur in workplaces and methods for dealing with them. 7.2 Demonstrate a professional code of conduct in workplace. 7.3 Morally guide people in different institutions nationally and regionally. 7.4 Initiate religious and ethical principles that address the many challenges of the world such as war, HIV/AIDS, famine and environmental change.
8. Christian History and Thought On successful completion of the programme, the learner should be able to: 8.1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Christian history and thought. 8.2 Research and publish in the area of Christian history and thought. 8.3 Apply the knowledge learnt to solve the many complexities arising from the diverse forms of Christianity today in Zimbabwe and the world over.
9. Practical Theology On successful completion of the programme, the learner should be able to: 9.1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of practical theology. 9.2 Provide leadership in practical theological issues through consultancy and support services to communities 9.3 Facilitate research and publication in practical theology 9.4 Initiate theological initiatives that address the many practical challenges of the world such as war, HIV/AIDS, famine and environmental change.
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AREAS OF SPECIALISATION
Level 1 Semester 1
Core Modules Credits
1. African Traditional Religions (ATR) African Indigenous Religion (AIR)
MARS 701 Approaches to the study of AIR/ATR 30
MARS 702 Scholarship in the study of AIR/ATR 30
MARS 710 Religion, Food and Security 30
MARS 730 African Traditional Religion and Environment 30
2. Religion and Ethics
MARS 703 Religion and Environmental Ethics 30
MARS 704 African Ethics 30
MARS 710 Religion, Food and Security 30
MARS 731 Bioethics and Religious Heritage 30
3. Phenomenology of Religion
MARS 700 Phenomenological Approaches to the study of Religion 30
MARS 705 Religion and Ecology 30
MARS 706 Major Themes in the Study of Religions 30
MARS 710 Religion, Food and Security 30
Electives
MARS 711 Sociology of Religion 30
MARS 709 Ethics and Social Transformation in Africa 30
MARS 708 Critical Issues in Philosophy of Religion 30
4. Old Testament Studies
Core Modules
MARS 700 Advanced Classical Hebrew 30
MARS 712 Approaches to the Study of the Old Testament 30
MARS 716 Contemporary Scholarship in the Old Testament 30
MARS 715 Egyptology 30
Electives
MARS 714 Classical Hebrew 30
5. New Testament Studies
Core Modules
MARS 700 Advanced Hellenistic Greek and Syntax 30
MARS 717 Approaches to the study of the New Testament 30
MARS 719 Trends in the Quest for the Historical Jesus 30
MARS 746 Contextualized Theology of the New Testament 30
Elective
MARS 720 Elementary Biblical Greek 30
6. Religion and Sustainable Development
Core Modules
MARS 705 Religion and Eco-Theology 30
MARS 723 Religion and Development Strategies in Africa 30
MARS 724 Religion and Climate Change 30
MARS 734 Religion and Sustainable Communities 30
Elective
MARS 722 Religion and Water Sustainability 30
7. Religion and Gender
Core Modules
MARS 725 Approaches to the Study of Religion and Gender 30
MARS 728 Religion, Masculinities and Feminities 30
MARS 725 Historical Background in the Study of Religion and Gender 30
MARS 726 Religion and Gender in African Traditional Religions 30
Elective
MARS 727 Religion and Gender in Selected Traditions 30
8. Christian History and Thought
Core
MARS 800 Christianity in Roman North Africa 30
MARS 801 Christian History: Early Church to the Reformation 30
MARS 803 Christianity and Islam in Contact 30
MARS 810 Christian Missionaries in Africa 30
Elective
MARS 808 Advanced Clinical Pastoral Education 30
9. Practical Theology
Core Modules
MARS 804 Political Theology 30
MARS 805 Key Texts in Practical Theology 30
MARS 806 Theologies of African Independent Churches 30
MARS 814 Contemporary African Theology 30
Electives
MARS 807 African Spirituality 30
MARS 808 Advanced Clinical Pastoral Education 30
LEVEL 1 SEMESTER 2
Core Modules
1. African Traditional Religion
MARS 700 Advanced Research Methods 30
MARS 736 Religion and Indigenous Knowledge Systems 30
MARS 729 Contemporary Issues in African Religions 30
MARS 735 Inter-Religious Dialogue 30
2. Religion and Ethics
MARS 700 Advanced Research Methods 30
MARS 732 Religion and Business Ethics 30
MARS 735 Inter-Religious Dialogue 30
MARS 736 Religion and Indigenous Knowledge Systems 30
3. Phenomenology of Religion
MARS 700 Advanced Research Methods 30
MARS 735 Inter-Religious Dialogue 30
MARS 737 Religion and Human rights 30
MARS 736 Religion and Indigenous Knowledge Systems 30
Electives
MARS 734 Religion and Sustainable Communities 30
MARS 738 Religion and Bio-diversity 30
MARS 755 Religious Fundamentalism 30
MARS 733 Religions of the World 30
4. Old Testament Studies
Core Modules
MARS 700 Advanced Research Methods 30
MARS 740 Classical Hebrew: Reading and Exegesis of Selected Texts 30
MARS 739 Major Themes in the Old Testament 30
MARS 741 Assyriology 30
Electives
MARS 742 The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha 30
5. New Testament Studies
Core Modules
MARS 700 Advanced Research Methods 30
MARS 744 Classical Greek: Reading and Exegesis of Selected Texts 30
MARS 743 Major Themes in the Study of the New Testament 30
MARS 745 Contemporary Scholarship in the New Testament 30
6. Religion and Sustainable Development
Core Modules
MARS 700 Advanced Research Methods 30
MARS 747 Religion and Globalization 30
MARS 748 Religion, Gender and Sustainable Development 30
MARS 749 Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainability 30
Electives
MARS 738 Religion and Bio-diversity 30
MARS 750 Religion and World Hunger 30
7. Religion and Gender
Core Modules
MARS 700 Advanced Research Methods 30
MARS 752 Religion, Gender and Health 30
MARS 751 Contemporary Themes in Religion and Gender Studies 30
MARS 753 Women and the Bible in Africa: Becoming a Transformed Woman 30
Electives
MARS 754 African Women and New Religious Movements 30
8. Christian History and Thought
Core Modules
MARS 700 Advanced Research Methods 30
MARS 811 Christian History: Reformation to the Modern Period 30
MARS 812 Liberation Theologies 30
MARS 813 African Christianity 30
Electives
MARS 817 Pentecostal Theology 30
MARS 819 Healing Initiatives in Africa 30
9. Practical Theology
Core Modules
MARS 700 Advanced Research Methods 30
MARS 815 Asian and Latin American Theologies 30
MARS 817 Pentecostal Theology 30
MARS 819 Healing Initiatives in Africa 30
Electives
MARS 816 Religions, Health and Well-Being 30
MARS 818 Religions, Peace and Social Justice 30
MARS 809 Religion, State and Law 30
LEVEL 2 SEMESTER 1
MARS 755 – Thesis 60
NB – All MARS Modules to be taught by PhD Holders
Module Synopses
MARS 700 Advanced Research Methods
The module shall provide students with the tools needed to study religions at an advanced level and to enable them to become initiated into the scholarly standards in their respective fields. An exploration is undertaken of the professional and ethical standards for undertaking research in field settings including discussions about confidentiality and anonymity, informed consent, briefing and debriefing, the right to withdraw, vulnerable groups, sensitive issues etc. Practical and empirical research methods are explored, including quantitative and qualitative research methods, sampling, interviewing, grounded research method, participant observation, case studies, focus groups, documentary making and mixed method approaches. Issues for research such as emic/etic perspectives, the significance of insider information, gendered discourses, questions of power and indigenous categories are explored. Students are introduced to the professional bodies and peer-reviewed literature associated with their fields.
MARS 701 – Approaches to the study of AIR/ATR
The module shall critically examine various theories that have been proposed by various scholars on the origin and development of religion. Particular emphasis is placed on theories of Edward Burnett Taylor, Sigmund Freud, James Frazer, Rudolf Otto among other theorists. These theories are to be used as a basis of analysis for the origin of religions in Africa today.
MARS 702 – Scholarship in African Indigenous Religion/ATR
The module shall examine the contributions of modern scholars such as John Mbiti, John Pobee, Bolaji Idowu, Ezra Chitando, A. Anderson, Musa Dube among others, to spirituality and religiosity in religions as practices in Africa in contemporary times.
MARS 703 Religion and Environmental Ethics
The module shall introduce philosophical ethics through an engagement with environmental issues of population growth and resource use, sustainability, non-human animal welfare, biodiversity loss, environmental justice, and global climate change. The two main goals of the module are to provide students with a more sophisticated conceptual vocabulary to make and evaluate ethical arguments across domains and to engage students’ ethical reasoning and reflection on environmental issues in particular. The module also reiterates the inherent influence of various world religious traditions in shaping and implementing environmental ethics and decision making.
MARS 704 African Ethics
The module shall examine African ethical values, focusing on Ubuntu/Unhu and its relevance in the African context. It also explores key issues such as African bioethics, business ethics, traditional attitudes to the environment and the possible development of a new form of democracy based on indigenous African political systems.
MARS 705 Religion and Ecology
The discourse on ecology has often sidelined religion. The module shall explore the contribution of different religious traditions to the ecology discourse. The module explores also the emergence, history, theories, and practices of eco-feminism and the environmental justice movements as subfields of radical ecology, environmentalism, feminist activism, and Women’s and Gender Studies.
MARS 706 Major Themes in the Study of Religions
The module shall provide students an in-depth study of some of the major themes shaping the discipline of religious studies. Themes such as the concept religion; insider/outsider perspectives; post modernism/postmodern religion; religion and culture; texts power/religious authority; gender; belief; myth and ritual; religion, migration, diaspora and transnationalism; religious pluralism and religion and science shall be looked at.
MARS 708 – Critical Issues in Philosophy of Religion
The module shall examine some core issues in philosophy of Religion. It discusses issues such as the problem of evil, the existence of God, moral responsibility, problem of religious language and seeks solutions to these issues within modern scholarship in this area of study.
MARS 709 – Ethics and Social Transformation in Africa
The module shall examine how ethical precepts of religious groups and institutions in Africa have informed social transformations and developments in Africa. It examines the sources of religious studies and social ethics within philosophical analysis of some ethical theories and analyzes how the main religions on the continent – Islam, Christianity and African Traditional Religion (ATR) have used their ethical precepts to interrogate social changes in Africa.
MARS 710 Religion and Food Security
The module shall enable students to familiarize with the main lines of the current debates about food and farming, as well as to give a thorough grounding in the theological background. The module has three parts. The first examines the basic issues surrounding religion and land use, religion and water sources and the likely impacts of climate change. The second considers some of the key issues in religion and contemporary farming; the third, likewise, in religious teachings on food security.
MARS 711 – Sociology of Religion
The module shall examine the social theories that have been propounded by social theorists and critics such as Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, Milton Yinger, Calvin Smith, among others. It also interrogates the social values of religion within social institutions such as politics, economy, culture and social interactions.
MARS 712 Approaches to the Study of the Old Testament
The module shall examine the approaches which have been proffered in the effort to appreciate and understand the message of the Old Testament. In order to understand the Bible various approaches have been utilized by both Jewish and Christian scholars as well as those whose interests have been primarily historical or literary and new inroads continue to be made.
MARS 713 Advanced Classical Hebrew
Hinging on the beginners’ knowledge of elementary Hebrew, the module shall provide students with the ability to have a deepened understanding of the Hebrew language. Students shall learn grammar, syntax and expanded vocabulary.
MARS 714 Classical Hebrew
The module shall introduce students to Classical Hebrew and it shall focus on an understanding of the Hebrew alphabet, basic vocabulary, and sentence construction. Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afro-Asiatic language family. Culturally, it is considered the Jewish language. In its modern form it is spoken by most of the seven million people in Israel while Classical Hebrew has been used for prayer or study in Jewish communities around the world for over two thousand years.
MARS 715 Egyptology
The module shall explore the histories, languages, cultures and sciences of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and their neighbours. These regions, sometimes known collectively as the Ancient Near East, have a long history stretching back to the formation of the first complex societies and have a strong influence on the formation of the Old Testament.
MARS 716 – Contemporary Scholarship in Old Testament
The module shall provide a critical examination of the work of some selected current leading Old Testament Scholars. Focus will be on the critical evaluation of their writings, assessing how this has influenced current discourse in Old Testament scholarship. At least one of such scholars to be examined must be African.
MARS 717 Approaches to the Study of the New Testament
The module shall examine various approaches which have been proffered in the effort to appreciate and understand the New Testament. Approaches such as reader-response criticism, redaction criticism, the New Hermeneutic and others have been coined by both Jewish and Christian scholars as well as those whose interests have been primarily historical or literary and new inroads continue to be made such as reading in front of the text, post-colonial feminist interpretation and others.
MARS 718 Advanced Biblical Greek
Hinging on the beginners’ knowledge of elementary Greek, the module shall provide students with the ability to have a deepened understanding of the Greek language. Students shall learn grammar, syntax and expanded vocabulary.
MARS 719 Trends in the Quest for the Historical Jesus
The module shall look at past and current trends that have characterized the search for the historical Jesus. Beginning with a variety of sources and criteria used within the ‘Quests for the Historical Jesus,’ the module shall go on to look at the divergent theological interpretations of the life and teachings of this mysterious Galilean. Jesus, as a historical figure, continues to stir up controversy and debate in scholarly and popular circles. The quest for the historical Jesus has been underway for more than two centuries and its progress is marked by milestones, landmark developments that represent the transition from one stage to another.
MARS 720 Biblical Greek
The module shall provide an introduction to the language known as Koine Greek, in which the New Testament was written. It will cover some of the basic grammar and vocabulary of the language. By the end of the module, students shall be able to read some select passages from John’s gospel.
MARS 722 Religion and Water Sustainability
The module shall introduce students to the place of religion in water sustainability in developing countries. It analyses and contrasts the traditional and western methods of harnessing and managing of water bodies. The module aims to foster an analytical and critical perspective on water and development through critical dimensions such as livelihoods and poverty, gender, beliefs, community participation, governance, political economy and collaborative stakeholder management.
MARS 723 Religion and Development Strategies in Africa
The module shall explore various aspects of how societies since immemorial have been using religion to advance as well as address some of the challenges that inhibit human development on the African continent. Tapping from the indigenous knowledge systems, the module appreciates the religious based development strategies and solutions with the hope to revive the fruitfulness of Africa, thus curbing hunger that is ever stalking the African continent.
MARS 724 Religion and Climate Change
The module shall provide students the opportunity to tackle the question of how religion and spirituality can usefully be deployed in a present-day context. It looks at the history of human engagement with climate change in numerous contexts. It asks students to think constructively and critically about the relationship between scientific knowledge and indigenous knowledge systems.
MARS 725 Historical Background in the Study of Religion and Gender
The module shall present some major developments in the academic discipline of religion and gender. Key factors and forces which led to the emergence of this academic discipline are explored in this module. The module also presents some of the key theories that have emerged over time in the history of the study of religion and gender.
MARS 726 Religion and Gender in African Traditional Religions
Drawing insights from African Traditional Religions, the module shall illustrate how the diverse African religious traditions shape the concept of gender in a particular African setting. The module acknowledges the importance of paying specific attention to different experiences of African men and women which influence and inform their understanding of gender roles in their particular lived realities.
MARS 727 Religion and Gender in Selected Traditions
The module shall illustrate the connectedness between religion, culture and gender roles from different contexts. It foregrounds the continuities and discontinuities of gender roles in the selected contexts. The overall aim of the module is to illustrate that each context has its particular strengths and weaknesses and to show that these specific experiences can be used as the vantage point to inculcate transformed and renewed communities.
MARS 728 Religion, Masculinities and Feminities
The module shall examine how femininities and masculinities are constructed and represented in religious and secular spaces. It analyses the relationship between civic and religious cultures through the metaphor and lived reality of the body, and discuss the relationships between civic humanism, religious belief and practice, and artistic patronage. The module shall challenge negative and harmful ideas of what a “real man” and “real woman” is and advocates for transformative ways to empower and liberate males and females from oppressive notions of what it means to be ‘a man or woman.’
MARS 729 Contemporary Issues in African Religions
The module shall explore topical issues in African Traditional Religions that include salvation, health, marriage and sexuality, death, politics. The module explores trends in these concepts with a desire to seeing how African Traditional Religions interface with social changes.
MARS 730 African Traditional Religions and Environment
The module shall examine the contribution of African Traditional Religions to the preservation and reclamation of the environment. The suffocation of the environment has severe impact on the livelihoods of societies. There are strong views held that religion has a vital role to play in the mitigation of the environmental disaster. The module examines some of the beliefs and practices underlying Traditional African religion’s attitudes to nature. The module makes use of examples from various African Traditional Religions found in Africa.
MARS 731 Bioethics and Religious Heritage
The fundamental concern for each of the world’s major religions is the preservation and sanctity of life. The module shall therefore consider the defense of general views on the moral values involved in bioethics, as well as the complicated issues of applying this general knowledge to particular situations. The major focus of the module is to develop moral wisdom (knowledge about ethics and the ability to think ethically) and moral virtue (a stronger commitment to act morally). Topics covered in module include: the nature of the Doctor-Patient Relationship, principles of Patient Decision-Making, Life-Sustaining Treatments (including CPR, and medical nutrition and hydration), Reproductive Issues (including contraception, artificial reproductive technologies, abortion), arguments for Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide, and Research Ethics (including a consideration of the Stem Cell controversy).
MARS 732 Religion and Business Ethics
The module shall undertake to convey an understanding of Ethics and ethical practices as they relate to situations that managers have to face in their organizational duties. It traces the development of business ethics from the larger field of General Ethics as a discipline which addresses morally correct conduct in human affairs. Its genesis in the field of philosophical studies is traced. The module underscores how issues of faith and religion have a major bearing on business engagements and more importantly in making business decisions.
MARS 734 Religion and Sustainable Communities
The module shall examine how the contemporary world citizens are turning to religion in light of the disintegration of society’s moral fabric. The module also explores how religion plays a fundamental role amidst various actions taken by global citizens, local communities and governments to create towns and communities that are more sustainable. The module provides examples of ways in which communities around the world are addressing local problems such as poverty and loneliness, unemployment and economic decline, pollution and traffic congestion through religious forums. This focus on solutions helps establish several principles for sustainable community building that can be integrated into educational programmes.
MARS 735 Inter – Religious Dialogue
The module shall examine the role of inter-religious dialogue as a factor of mutual understanding, social cohesion and peace building in world societies (international level) and within our own society (national level).
MARS 736 Religion and Indigenous Knowledge Systems
The module shall explore how communities in diverse world regions preserve traditionally valued knowledge and create new knowledge. It examines how such communities navigate and respond to global forces such as natural disasters, environmental changes, political restructuring, health concerns, economic volatility, livelihood uncertainties, education crises, ethnic conflicts and develop problem-solving approaches. The connectedness between indigenous knowledge systems and indigenous religious traditions is the cornerstone of this module.
MARS 737 Religion and Human Rights
The module shall focus on a discussion of how the dominant religions in Africa influence the African worldview with a particular focus on human rights and development issues. Among the topics given detailed attention are: traditional practices in Southern Africa, women’s rights, the responses of African traditional communities on some development initiatives such as the construction of a dam or the development of a town/city that affects their sacred shrines, Islamic thought, the legal and historical background to the African Charter, the role of nongovernmental organizations in protecting African human rights, and the treatment of human rights and development issues in various North-South contexts.
MARS 738 Religion and Bio-diversity
The module shall examine biodiversity at a local, national and global level including the measurement and assessment of biodiversity and its implications. Of particular interest is an exploration of how the status of domestic pets continues to gain momentum in the modern world. The module also discusses how the apparent expression of disdain on game hunting and slaughtering of animals for human consumption and other uses is developing into a new religious movement among some advocates of animal rights.
MARS 739 Major Themes of the Old Testament
The module shall apply various approaches to the study of Bible in understanding of major themes of the Hebrew Bible. A critical look at the major themes of the Old Testament from various angles will enable one to appreciate its many different voices expressing the breath and beauty of the human experience of God over the ages.
MARS 740 Classical Hebrew: Reading and Exegesis of Selected Texts
The module shall provide students the opportunity to read the Hebrew Bible in its original language. Selected passages from the Hebrew Bible will be used for exegesis.
MARS 741 Assyriology
The module shall introduce students with little or no previous knowledge to the study of Ancient Mesopotamia in the historical period. It provides an appreciation of the principal languages of Ancient Mesopotamia, Akkadian and Sumerian, and allows study of aspects of Mesopotamian culture, from 5000 BC through the earliest literate and urban societies of the Near East to the Assyrian and Babylonian empires.
MARS 742 The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha
The module shall cover apocalyptic literature, testaments, legends, wisdom and philosophical literature, prayers, psalms and odes, and fragments of lost Judeo-Hellenistic works. The writers of the Bible depended on other sources for much of their work. Some of these sources may have been lost forever, but many have recently come to light. Known as the Pseudepigrapha, this collection of writings is for the most part, Jewish or Christian and is often attributed to ideal figures in Israel’s past.
MARS 743 Major Themes in the Study of the New Testament
The module shall seek to utilize various approaches that have been proffered in order to understand the voice of the New Testament. A critical look at the major themes of the New Testament from various angles will enable students to appreciate its many different voices expressing the breath and beauty of the human experience of God over the ages.
MARS 744 Biblical Greek: Reading and Exegesis of Selected Texts
The module shall provide students the opportunity to read the New Testament in its original language. Selected passages from the New Testament Greek will be used for exegesis.
MARS 745 – Contemporary Scholarship in the New Testament
The module shall examine the works of some selected current leading New Testament scholars, their background and critical examination of their writings, education, family and social welfare. It must include at least one African New Testament Scholar.
MRS 746 – Contextualized Theology of the New Testament
The module shall study New Testament texts about Jesus and their contemporary relevance, especially from contextual, feminist and post-colonial perspectives. Special emphasis is put upon contextual interpretations in Africa.
MARS 747 Religion and Globalization
The module shall examine the relationship between religious cultures and the forces of globalization. It explores how religious cultural systems have been involved with globalization. It proposes a cultural approach that is more sensitive to the ways in which the discourses of religion and globalization are connected in a binary relationship to one another.
MARS 748 Religion, Gender and Sustainable Development
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The module shall explore in particular women’s experiences of development in different parts of the world. It also explores ways in which women from a number of countries are working to promote sustainable development in their communities. |
MARS 749 Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainability
The module shall explore the importance of indigenous values and spirituality in providing guidance for sustainable living. Such principles and values encourage a spirit of harmony between people, their natural environments and their spiritual identities.
MARS 750 Religion and World Hunger
The module shall look at how religion has either fostered or helped curb world hunger given that hunger is the world’s top health concern, killing more people than do AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined. The place of religion in ‘food security’ issues is thus of concern in this module.
MARS 751 Contemporary Themes in Religion and Gender Studies
The module shall offer basic knowledge and understanding of gender in religious communities including the construction of women’s/men’s religious identities, their gender relations, societal roles and status. The module also introduces central themes and problems in feminist thought, including consciousness-raising, motherhood, class, race, sexuality, nationalism, and transnational feminism. It identifies and interrogates key gender issues in post-colonial countries with an acute awareness of their constructions through western and local knowledge, patriarchy, the nation-state, and globalization. Some of the key themes include an exploration of how the organizational structures of religion can be a vehicle of oppression and a place for justice and autonomy; it also explores the representation and practices of specific religions; and addresses the intersections of gender, class, race, geopolitics, and religion. The module also explores the historical and contemporary dimensions of social inequality in gender, race, class and sexuality. It uses an interdisciplinary lens and feminist analysis to analyse social, cultural, political and economic experiences of individuals and communities.
MARS 752 Religion, Gender and Health
The module shall critically examine the portrayal of men and women in religion and explore related issues of health and well-being. It aims to provide an understanding of the breadth and diversity of the role of men and women in religion, and opening up discussion on the critical role religion plays in shaping health policies and practices. Space will be facilitated for participants to share critical insights, resources and strategies with one another on their own experience of interrogating the interconnectedness between religion, health and gender. The module brings public health, i.e., the practice of preventing disease and promoting good health within groups of people, from small communities to entire countries into conversation with religion, gender, sexuality, and feminist studies. Since both are interdisciplinary fields, the module will draw on a range of literatures including health policy, epidemiology, education, feminist science studies, and medical sociology in order to lay the foundation for questioning stable categories of gender and health. Students will complete self-directed case studies on topics of their choice, which may include topics such as sexual and reproductive health and rights, sex education, mental health from a gender perspective, the medicalization of childbirth, environmental health, HIV and AIDS, substance use and abuse, and sex work. Since HIV and AIDS is one of the leading causes of death in Africa, the module will also interrogate how HIV and AIDS is a gendered epidemic and analyse the influence of certain religious beliefs and practices on the HIV and AIDS epidemic.
MARS 753 Women and the Bible in Africa: Becoming a Transformed Woman
Using stories of Biblical women who endured and overcame many challenges, this module shall respond to some of the key issues confronting many African women daily and to motivate them to becoming renewed and transformed. Some of the key themes covered in this module include, infertility, single parenting, poverty, the raising and teaching of children, life with an unbelieving or unfaithful husband, and maintaining faith in desperate times. The module draws insights, hope and inspiration from a variety of women from the Old and New Testaments. The main goal of this module is to provide a platform whereby African women who are struggling with similar problems may easily put themselves into the stories of these Biblical women and learn from them. Based on women of the Bible who were examples of faith in the face of these particular issues, the module seeks to present a history of women’s participation in God’s work throughout the Old and New Testaments and to challenge the African church women to respond to the task of God’s kingdom today. The module also seeks to illustrate that God has uniquely blessed African women with the gifts and talents they need to bring hope-filled transformation into their lives and the lives of those they connect with every day and more importantly to become God’s emissary to a suffering world.
MARS 754 African Women and New Religious Movements
The module shall develop a typology of NRM sexual identity and points out that the actual arrangements within different new religions are often quite complex. To illustrate this complexity, the module examines African women’s roles in NRMs. Other topics that will be addressed are the global processes that led to the emergence and expansion of NRMs; migration and diasporic religious communities; conversion processes; NRMs’ membership and leadership; the role of new religious agents in bringing about socio-religious transformation; society’s responses to NRMs; and the dissemination of NMRs’ ideologies through the use of new media. To explore these topics, the module shall draw on case studies ranging from Independent Churches in South Africa, the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star in Nigeria, Pentecostal and other Christian Charismatic Movements in West Africa, Islamic revivalist movements in the Middle East, the new “Spiritual Sciences” in Africa, New Age movements in Africa, the Rastafarian Communities in Africa, to diasporic religious communities in Britain.
MARS 755 Religious Fundamentalism
The module shall explore particular manifestations of religious fundamentalism in relation to socio-political developments in different parts of the world. The 21st C has seen the rise of global religious fundamentalism and this has challenged theories of secularization and progress.
MARS 800 Christianity in Roman North Africa
The module shall examine the origin, growth and development of Christianity in Egypt and Roman North Africa. The module shall explore the foundational theological work that has defined Christian theology, on Christ and Triune God.
MARS 801 Christian History: Early Church to the Reformation
The module shall explore some themes in Christian history and thought from the early Church to the beginning of the Reformation and assesses its impact on the development of Christianity.
MARS 803 Christianity and Islam in Contact
The module shall examine the relationship between these two major religions in their quest for world domination. The module explores the many points of contact between Christianity and Islam. It also highlights how this relationship has impacted on Africa.
MARS 804 Political Theology
The lack of clearly defined roles for the interaction between religion and politics constitutes a major problem in modern African nations. The module shall present the interface of religion and politics in Africa. It also addresses the role of religious associations in politics and how religion is utilized in the justice system.
MARS 805 Key Texts in Practical Theology
The module shall introduce students to key texts on practical theology. Set within the multidisciplinary context, the key texts cover a wide range of practical and theological issues that alert students to the spiritual dimension of pastoral care, such as bereavement, sexuality, ethics, learning disabilities, infertility, the meaning of pain, sickness and suffering and the nature of theology as a practical discipline.
MARS 806 Theologies of African Independent Churches
The module shall explore the theologies of the AICs in society today. It looks at the AICs’ engagement with social changes of the contemporary society. African Independent/Initiated/Instituted Churches (AICs) place emphasis on the biblical warrant to include African cultural norms into their modes of worship, theology, and practice, though to varying degrees.
MARS 807 African Spirituality
The module shall examine the historical development of African religious symbols and themes that have shaped its spirituality and mysticism. The module shall highlight the works and writings of African mystics and writers who affirm that African religiosity and spirituality are inevitable expressions of the African being.
MARS 808 Advanced Clinical Pastoral Education
The module shall deal with principles of psychological and biblical counseling, providing ministry to the physically, spiritually, and emotionally ill. The study is integrated with other more traditional aspects of pastoral care. Self-understanding and listening skills are emphasized, as well as religious resources and exercises such as Scripture, prayer, and openness and obedience to the inner direction of the Holy Spirit.
MARS 809 Religion, State and Law
The module shall examine the main issues arising in context of the contemporary relationship between religion, the individual, the law and the state. The module shall involve comparative analysis of the principle patterns of regulating such relationships. It will also address the major debates around the relationship between theories of egalitarian liberal democracy and secularism. This analysis will focus on theoretical debates around the admissibility of religious arguments in lawmaking, the complicated relationship between freedom of and freedom from religion and the role of religion in non-discrimination law.
MARS 810 Christian Missionaries in Africa
The subject of missionaries in Africa is contentious. The module shall explore the methods, influences, mentality, attitudes, and outcomes of missionary endeavors.
MARS 811 Christian History: Reformation to the Modern Period
The module shall explore some themes in Christian history and thought from the early Church to the beginning of the Reformation and assesses its impact on the development of Christianity.
MARS 812 Liberation Theologies
The module shall examine how Christian theology has been used to interpret and intervene in the liberation struggles. The module analyses the historical development which has led to the emergence of liberation theologies in Africa, among them Black Theology and theologies of inculturation.
MARS 813 African Christianity
The module shall examine and highlight important innovations made by Africans in appropriating the Christian faith. African expressions, in song, dance, attire and theology have stamped an indelible mark on the manifestation of Christianity in Africa.
MARS 814 Contemporary African Theology
The module shall examine Christian theological formation in Africa against the background of African cultures and religions, and in light of its contemporary context. The module looks at how African theologians such as Bolaji Idowu, John Mbiti, Kwesi Dickson and others analyze and interpret African traditional religion and point to its relation to the Christian faith.
MARS 815 Asian and Latin American Theologies
The module shall focus on the history of theology and Christianity in Asia and Latin America alongside fundamental issues in intercultural theology such as interreligious dialogue, religious theologies, missiology and contextual theologies.
MARS 816 Religions, Health and Well-Being
The module shall examine particular African indigenous responses to health and well-being. It explores the available health care systems in Africa and seeks to establish how particular communities navigate the available health care systems. The module also examines how religious beliefs influence African people in deciding on which health care system to utilize.
MARS 817 Pentecostal Theology
The module shall examine theological issues relating to global Pentecostal and Charismatic movements. Key texts both sympathetic and critical are identified, illuminating these current debates in Pentecostal studies. Particular attention is given to the challenges presented to Christianity, and concepts of contextualization, spirituality and syncretism as reflected in various forms of Pentecostal movements found in different parts of the world.
MARS 818 Religions, Peace and Social Justice
The module shall encourage a critical reflection on oppression and injustice, locally and globally, and examine theoretical and practical approaches to justice and peace. It covers some of the following issues: war, violence, pacifism and social justice. The module calls students to social action that transforms the world in the interests of human dignity, equality, sustainability, and peace.
MARS 819 Healing Initiatives in Africa
The module shall expose students on the methodological issues relevant to research in the healing initiatives in Africa given that the healing ministry is becoming more prominent in both African and Christian traditions in Africa. It will also analyze the views of the causes of illnesses and diseases, then mechanisms of diagnosis.
MARS 755 – Thesis
This is a project of at least 25 000 to 30 000 words that is based on a wide research area of religious studies.
ALLOCATION OF CREDITS
|
ACTIVITY |
NOTIONAL STUDY HOURS |
|
Contact Time |
|
|
Lectures |
36 |
|
Tutorials |
10 |
|
Dissertation Supervision |
30 |
|
Seminars |
15 |
|
Individual Presentations |
9 |
|
TOTAL |
100 |
|
|
|
|
Independent Private Study |
|
|
Preparation for scheduled sessions |
15 |
|
Writing assignments |
25 |
|
|
|
|
Reading Module material |
40 |
|
Preparing a research proposal |
20 |
|
TOTAL |
100 |
|
|
|
|
Assessment |
|
|
|
|
|
Written Assignments |
20 |
|
End of Semester Examinations |
40 |
|
Viva Voce |
10 |
|
Dissertation |
30 |
|
TOTAL |
100 |
|
GRAND TOTAL CREDITS: 100 + |
+ 100 + 100 = 300 hours/10 = 30 Credits |
JUSTIFICATION OF EQUAL WEIGHTING (NSH) FOR MA IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES
Given that the MA in Religious Studies Programme has no module which requires any practical skill but just theoretical knowledge, all our Modules therefore have equal weighting in terms of estimate time spent by an average full time student to master a unit of learning.