Fall Semester, 1995
An introduction to the philosophical basis of African society through a study of various African Religions: Traditional Religions; and Islam and Christianity, especially in their indigenized forms. This study will also seek to examine the underlying nature of African religious thought and the role and function of myth and ritual in these religions. It is not possible to understand African cultures in isolation from the complex and profoundly sophisticated African concepts of the spiritual universe. Consideration will be given to the relationship between religion and culture in various societies. Questions will be raised regarding the different ways religion is conceived in various cultures; African and �non-African,� Western and �non-Western.�
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: The course will involve lectures, readings, presentations, classroom discussions, and films. There is no substitute for doing the assigned readings. By keeping up with the readings you will come to the class informed and prepared to discuss as well as listen. Each student is responsible for the completion of all required readings.
Students will be graded on the basis of two in-class exams, a 10 page research project and a class presentation of the project. The last 3 weeks of classes will be devoted to the presentation of these projects. Attendence is mandatory for all classes including movies and student presentations. Mid-term is due October 12 in my office by 5pm. The Final exam is due the day of the scheduled class exam during the evaluation period, Wednesday, December 20, 7-9pm.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS Laye, Camara. The Dark Child. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1954. Mbiti, John S. African Religions and Philosophy. London: Heinemann, 1990. Ngugi, James. Weep Not, Child. Heineman Ed., 1988. Olupona, Jacob K., ed. African Traditional Religions in Contemporary Society. New York: Paragon House Publishers, 1991. Ray, Benjamin C. African Religions: Symbol, Ritual, and Community. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1976.
RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOKS Bockie, Simon. Death and The Invisible Powers: The World of Kongo Belief. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 1993. Kenyatta, Jomo. Facing Mt. Kenya, with an Introduction by B. Malinowski. New York: Vintage Books, 1965. Jahn, Janheinz. Muntu: The New African Culture. New York: Grove Press, Inc., 1961 Molefi Kete Asante and Kariamu Welsh Asante, eds. African Culture: The Rhythms of Unity (Trenton: African World Press, 1990), 123-139. Oduyoye, Mercy Amba and Kanyoro, Musimbi R. A. The Will to Rise: Women, Tradion, and The Church in Africa. Mary Knoll: Orbis Books: 1992. Sanneh, Lamin. West African Christianity: The Religious Impact. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 1983.
Class Schedule
August 31 Introduction
September 5 Approaches to the study for African Religions. Mbiti, chapters, 1 and 2; Ray, Introduction; Olupona, chapters 1 and 2.
7 Principles of African Philosophy. Film - The Africans Part I. Jahn, chapters, 4 and 5;
12 Research Paper Resources. Megan Mitchell, Reference Librarian
14 Myth, History, and Time. Mbiti, chapter 3; Ray, chapter 1; Robert Hood, "Creation Myths in Nigeria: A Theological commentary," inThe Journal of Religious Thought 45 no. 2 (Winter-Spring 1989): 70-84; Dorthy L. Pennington, �Time in African Culture,� in African Culture: The Rhythms of Unity, eds. Molefi Kete Asante and Kariamu Welsh Asante (Trenton: African World Press, 1990), 123-139.
19 African Traditional Thought and Western Science. Robin Horton, �African Traditional Thought and Western Science,� in Bryan Wilson, ed., Rationality, Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1977), p. 131-171.
21 Divinity and Humanity. Ray, chapter 2; Mbiti, chapters 4, 5, 6, and 9.
26 Religious Authorities. Ray, chapter 4; Mbiti, 15; James Boyd Christensen, "The Adaptive Functions of Fanti Priesthood," in William R. Bascom and Melville J. Herskovits, eds., Continuity and Change in African Cultures, (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1975), pp. 257-278.
28 Kinship and Family Systems. Kenyatta, chapters 1 and 2; Mbiti, chapters 10, 11, and 13; Anne Nasimiyu-Wasike, �Polygamy: A Feminist Critique,� and Lloyda Fanusie, �Sexuality and Women in African Culture� in The Will to Arise: Women, Tradition, and the Church in Africa, eds. Mercy Amba Oduyoye and Musimbi R. A. Kanyoro Take-Home Mid-Term Exam handed out in class
October 3 Humanity, Ancestors, and Ethics. Ray, chapter 5; Mbiti, chapters 8, 14, and 17; Kenyatta, chapter 10;
10 Ritual Expression and Control. Film - Benin Kingship Ritual Ray, chapter 3; Mbiti, 7; Mercy Amba Oduyoye, �Women and Ritual in Africa,� in The Will to Arise: Women, Tradition, and the Church in Africa, eds. Mercy Amba Oduyoye and Musimbi R. A. Kanyoro
12 No Class Mid Term Exam Due in my office by 5 pm
17 Spring Break
19 Spring Break
24 Witchcraft, Sorcery, and Medicine. Film - Spite: An African Prophet-Healer. Mbiti, chapters 15 and 16; Kenyatta, chapter 12; MacGaffey, chapter 6; Peter Winch, �Understanding a Primitive Society,� in Bryan Wilson, ed., Rationality, Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1977), pp. 78-111.
26 Rhythm and Art. Film - Art of the Dogon. Olupona, chapter 7; Jahn, chapter 6.
31 Film - Mammy Water: In Search of the Water Spirits in Nigeria and Flora Nwapa, Mammywater.
November 2 Religion and Rebellion. Ray, chapter 6; Ngugi, Weep Not, Child
7 African Islam. Ray, chapter 7; Mbiti, pp. 236-248; Laye, whole book; Rabiatu Ammah, �Paradise Lies at the Feet of Muslim Women,� in The Will to Arise: Women, Tradition, and the Church in Africa, eds. Mercy Amba Oduyoye and Musimbi R. A. Kanyoro.
9 Independent Christianity. Ray, chapter 8; Mbiti, pp. 223-236; Sannah, chapter 7
14 Revitalization in African Traditional Religion. Olupona, chapters 3, 4, 11, and 12; Mbiti, chapter 18.
16 Class Presentations
28 Class Presentations
30 Class Presentations
December 5 Class Presentations
7 Class Presentations
12 Class Presentations Papers Due and Final Exam handed out