Religions of Africa1 3600-7-AF1-RA1
During the lecture students become familiarized with traditional African religions, with special focus on common traits of sub-Saharan African belief systems. The course includes the state of research in the field of the study of religions of Africa. It presents African mythologies and structures of selected African pantheons, including methods of worship of the Supreme Being and the role of most popularly worshipped deities and spirits. Special attention is paid to detailed description of the elements of cult practices. Students gain knowledge of possession cults popular in several regions of sub-Saharan Africa and secret societies in western and central parts of the continent. Problems of the distinction between magic and religion in Africa are discussed, including terminology and main theories.
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Type of course
Mode
Learning outcomes
Having completed the course student:
- knows and understands basic philosophical trends and terms as well as the role of philosophical reflection in the processes of shaping cultures in Africa (K_W03)
- has detailed and organized knowledge of philosophy and religion of chosen regions in Africa with special focus on West Africa (K_W07)
- can name and characterize basic religious phenomena in sub-Saharan Africa (K_W10)
- knows and understands basic analysis and interpretation methods of religious phenomena characteristic of chosen theories and schools of research within the scope of cultural and philosophy and religion studies (K_W18)
- knows and understands basic analysis and interpretation methods of various religious phenomena characteristic of local traditions in African countries (K_W19)
- indicates sources of cultural and religious differences of African countries (K_U02)
- uses the basic terminology from the domain of philosophy and religion of chosen regions in Africa (K_U03)
- can indicate most important intellectual problems and dilemmas taking shape inside the culture of chosen regions of Africa (K_U10)
- interprets key terms from religions and cultures of Africa (K_U015)
- properly functions in the cultural environment of a chosen African region (K_U17)
- has a skill in presenting detailed aspects within the scope of religious issues of chosen African regions in Polish taking into consideration the intellectual tradition of these regions (K_U21)
- understands the need to learn about cultural and religious diversity all one’s life (K_K01)
- sets appropriate goals and ways to achieve them in the context of academic, professional and social activities related to religious and cultural diversity of Africa (K_K04)
- makes others aware of the cultural distinctness and its religious and philosophical roots and its significance for understanding modern world (K_K05)
- sees the need of dialogue between cultures and religions (K_K06)
- is aware of significance African religions and cultures have for the culture of the world (K_K07)
- acts in aid of sharing and promoting religio-cultural heritage of chosen regions of Africa (K_K08)
- perceives the positive socio-cultural values of chosen regions in Africa based on their religious systems and sees the possibility to use them in own personal development and effective intercultural communication (K_K09)
Assessment criteria
Attendance control - a student can be absent maximum twice during the semester. In the case of absence due to illness, the medical certificate excusing this absence should be submitted within seven days of the last day of the leave specified in the certificate.
Final grade is based on oral examination.
Bibliography
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Term 2023Z:
1) Mbiti J., Afrykańskie religie i filozofia, Warszawa 1980. |
Term 2024Z:
1) Mbiti J., Afrykańskie religie i filozofia, Warszawa 1980. |
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: