Undergraduate

Content:

Introduction to Religion and the historical development of Christianity and its impact on society

Purpose:

The purpose of this module is:

·        to introduce learners to various ideas (theories) of what religion is and the scholarly ways of studying it

·        to provide a brief overview of Christianity’s founders, history, texts, teachings, rituals, spirituality and the role it played in shaping society.

Outcomes:

Upon completion of this module learners should be able to:

·        discuss some prominent thinkers and their theories on religion

·        demonstrate a basic knowledge of the most important scholarly approaches in the study of religion

·        appreciate the social and historical contexts of Christianity

·        demonstrate overview knowledge of the founders, texts, teachings, rituals, spirituality and diverse strands in Christianity

·        explain and critically evaluate Christianity’s formative role in shaping society (politically, economically, ecologically

and general ethically)

·        critically evaluate Christianity’s contribution towards a better society (or otherwise).

Calculation criteria:

Minimum Full Period Mark for Examination Admission – 40%

Full Period Mark Weight – 50%

Examination Mark Weight – 50%

Content:

The origin, historical development of Judaism and Islam and their social impact

Purpose:

The purpose of this module is to provide a brief overview of the founders, texts, teachings, rituals, spirituality and history of Judaism and Islam and their role in shaping society

Outcomes:

Upon completion of this module learners should be able to:

·        appreciate the social and historical contexts of Judaism and Islam

·        provide overview knowledge of the founders, texts, teachings, rituals, spirituality and diverse strands in Judaism and Islam

·        explain Judaism and Islam’s formative role in shaping society (politically, economically, ecologically and general ethically)

·        critically evaluate Judaism and Islam’s contribution towards a better society (or otherwise).

Calculation criteria:

Minimum Full Period Mark for Examination Admission – 40%

Full Period Mark Weight – 50%

Examination Mark Weight – 50%

Content:

The origin, historical development of African Traditional Religion and some Eastern Religions and their social impact.

Purpose:

The purpose of this module is to provide a brief overview of the founders, texts, teachings, rituals, spirituality and history of African Traditional Religion and the Eastern Religions and their role in shaping society.

Outcomes:

Upon completion of this module learners should be able to:

·        appreciate the social and historical contexts of African Traditional Religion and Eastern Religions

·        demonstrate an overview knowledge of the founders, texts, teachings, rituals, spirituality and diverse strands in African Traditional Religion and the Eastern Religions

·        explain African Traditional Religion and the Eastern Religions’ formative role in shaping society (politically,

economically, ecologically and general ethically)

·        critically evaluate African Traditional Religion and the Eastern Religions’ contribution towards a better society (or

otherwise).

Calculation criteria:

Minimum Full Period Mark for Examination Admission – 40%

Full Period Mark Weight – 50%

Examination Mark Weight – 50%

Content:

Religion, Politics and Society

Purpose:

The purpose of this module is to provide insight into:

·        the role that diverse religions have had in shaping the political and economic landscape of societies

·        the relationship between religion, conflict and reconciliation

·        the tensions between religion and secular society

Outcomes:

Upon completion of this module learners should be able to:

• explain the role of religion in constructing political systems, including advancing or restricting human rights
• discuss diverse religious views on economic systems and whether these views advance or limit economic justice

·        demonstrate the complex nature of the tension between some forms of religions and of secularisms as these are

manifested in some contemporary controversies

·        illustrate the ways in which religion functions as a means to both oppose and support, war and peace, and justice

and injustice.

Calculation criteria:

Minimum Full Period Mark for Examination Admission – 40%

Full Period Mark Weight – 50%

Examination Mark Weight – 50%

Content:

Religion, Gender and Sexuality

Purpose:

The purpose of this module is to introduce learners to some of the major religions and their views and attitudes towards sex, sexuality and gender. These religions include African Traditional Religion, Eastern Religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Outcomes:

Upon completion of this module learners should be able to:

• discuss the connection between sexuality, eroticism, embodiment and spirituality in diverse religious discourses and the impact it has on society
• discuss the influence of patriarchy in religious beliefs, practices and symbols in the various religious traditions and how these may impact on the lives of women and other marginalized gendered or sexual groups
• assess the gender – and usually male-centred – ideological constructs in African Traditional Religion, Eastern Religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam and their implications for women
• consider how gender critical reinterpretations of androcentric religious traditions may apply to various current

controversies around gender, sex, sexual identity, worship and religious leadership.

Calculation criteria:

Minimum Full Period Mark for Examination Admission – 40%

Full Period Mark Weight – 50%

Examination Mark Weight – 50%

Content:

Religion and Environmental Justice.

Purpose:

The purpose of this module is to:

·        introduce the contributions of diverse religions to environmental justice

·        raise various religions’ participation within pre-modern, modern, and postmodern

worldviews and demonstrate how their views influence the religion versus science debate

Outcomes:

Upon completion of this module learners should be able to:

·        discuss the views of diverse religions on environmental awareness through their eco-theologies

·        apply the eco-ethical insights of diverse religions towards eco-justice.

·        discuss the relation of various religions to pre-modern, modern, and postmodern worldviews

·        explain the different discourses of religion and natural science in making sense of reality

·        appreciate the tension around and the partnership between religion and science in understanding the “how” and the

“why” of the universe and how these have impacted on the search of human beings to make sense of their earthly existence.

Calculation criteria:

Minimum Full Period Mark for Examination Admission – 40%

Full Period Mark Weight – 50%

Examination Mark Weight – 50%