Upper level courses are on special topics and are more advanced. They often presuppose some basic knowledge in the field and should be more difficult courses than courses at the 1-199 levels.
HIST 250 African Religions
Ofosu-Donkoh
Taught as schedule allows (consult the Course Directory)
LPS Course
Religion permeates all aspects of African life and thought, and is therefore an essential tool for understanding and appreciating the behavior and lifestyle of African peoples. In this course, we will survey some of the indigenous religions of Africa and examine their nature and their philosophical foundations. We will examine African systems of beliefs, myths, symbols, and rituals, and raise a few general questions about the interrelationship of religion and culture as well as religion and social change in Africa, and the challenges of modern technologies to African beliefs. We will examine the future of African religions and whether African peoples can hold on to their beliefs in this age of rapid technological and scientific development. Emphasis is on themes rather than on individual national or ethnic religions. Case studies are limited to West Africa among the Akan of Ghana, the Yoruba of Nigeria and the Mende of the Sierra Leone.
