Course Description
Examination of African doctrines, death, muses of death, categories of death, rites, final judgment, reincarnation, and the ancestral cult.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students' additional work will consist of a research
paper on a particular topic of interest to the student as
contained in the syllabus. There must be a review of primary
sources on the topic. The paper of the graduate student must
demonstrate high quality of analysis, synthesis, integration,
and scholarly critique of the subject matter. Also, the
examination to be given to graduate students will be at a level
suitable to graduate standard. On the whole, for the graduate
students, this course will be conducted with a standard
commensurate with graduate level study.
Athena Title
Eschatology African Religion
Prerequisite
RELI(AFST) 1200 or third-year student standing or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
At the end of the course students are expected to become familiar with the concept and significance of eschatology in African Religion. In particular, the focus of the course on African doctrine of death and afterlife, as well as the notion of reincarnation, and ancestral beliefs would offer the students informed understanding of Africans’ reverence for death, the ceremonies surrounding it, the purpose of human life on earth, his destination, the belief in the dual nature of humanity, and the mortality of body and immortality of the human soul. Also by process of engagements in classroom instruction, discussions and debates as well as written and oral presentations, students will have the opportunity to appreciate the African eschatological beliefs and hold informed comparison with such beliefs in other religions within and outside their different backgrounds.
Topical Outline
- African dualistic concept of human beings. - African doctrine of death. - Modes and categories of death. - Burial ceremonies and rites of passage. - After death and immortality of human soul. - After life and ancestral beliefs. - Belief in reincarnation. - Concept of final judgment.
Syllabus