Religion(s) in Africa(s): Concepts, Practices, Transformations 3102-FER-RIA
It offers a careful revision of certain categories – such as fetishism, animism, traditional religion – historically used to apprehend (indigenous) religion(s) in Africa(s). Through a focus on chosen key topics: divination, possession or sacrifice, for example, it examines selected yet representative classic and novel approaches (evolutionist perspective, symbolic anthropology, French Africanist school, material turn, pragmatic and existential anthropology, etc.) of African religious practices and representations. It is not designed to provide a systematic survey of such practices and representations, it does not aim to address them systematically in their infinite variety. Rather, it ambitions to contribute to a better understanding of their common points and their historical and current transformations.
Type of course
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
The aim of the course is at once to familiarize students with a vast anthropological literature in English and French on the religion(s) in Africa and to invite them to critically apprehend concepts and categories used by authors. It will improve students’ analytical thinking and ability to perform the exegesis of complex and diverse written material.
Assessment criteria
Attendance and active participation in discussion, based on provided readings
Participation in the final roundtable: short presentation on critical reflection on the course
Additional information
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