M.A.Christian Studies

Master of Arts in Christian Studies

M.A. Christian Studies

  1. List of Academic Staff
NameStatus and QualificationResearch Interests
A.I. Ali-AganProfessor & HeadB.A. (BUK, Kano). M.A., Ph.D.(Ilorin)Studies in Hadith Literatures
Oyeronke OlademoProfessor
B.A., M.A., Ph.D. (Ilorin)
New Testament, Comparative Religious Studies, WomenStudies and Yoruba Culture.
R.W. OmotoyeProfessor,
B.A., M.A. (OAU); Ph.D, (Ibadan);Cert. Ecumenical Studies (Geneva)
Church  History,  EcumenicalStudies and Inter-Faith Relations
P.O. AbiojeProfessor
B.Th. (Rome); M.Th., Ph.D,(Calabar)
African Christian TheologyAfrican Studies and Liberation Theology.
A.G. AlamuProfessor
B.A. (AAU, Ekpoma); M.A.(Ibadan) Ph.D, (Ilorin)
Comparative ReligiousStudies. Asian Religious, African Religions
P.U. NwosuReader
B.Phil (Rome), B.Th. (Rome),M.A., PGDE, Ph.D. (Ilorin
Comparative Religion, IgboCulture, Inter-Religious Dialogue
O.R. OgunadeReader
B.A. (LASU); M.A., Ph.D. (Ilorin)
Comparative ReligiousStudies, African Religion and Science-Religions Dialogue.
C.O. OgunkunleReader
B.Th. (Kitchener); M.A. (Winnipeg); Ph.D. (Ibadan)
Old Testament and Biblical Hebrew
Lydia B. AkandeSenior Lecturer
B.A., M.A., Ph.D. (Ilorin)
Church History andinteraction of Religions
O.O. OgunbiyiSenior Lecturer B.A., M.A. (Ilorin), Ph.D. (AdoEkiti)Comparative Studies, African Religions
M.O. OyetadeSenior Lecturer B.A., M.A., Ph.D. (Ilorin)New Testament and BiblicalLanguages Greek
Olubusola B. AkinfenwaLecturer I B.A. (Ilorin), M.A. (Ibadan)Comparative Religion,African Religion
J.O. OsajiLecturer I B.A. (Ibadan), M.A. (Ilorin) Ph.D. (Ibadan)Philosophy of Religion, Ethics and Christian Studies
Agnes O. AdeyeyeLecturer I B.A. (ABU, Zaria), M.A., Ph.D.(Ilorin)Church History, Christian Studies
Mary T. DanielLecturer I
B.A., M.A., Ph.D. (Ilorin)
Church History, ChristianStudies
O.A. AjetomobiLecturer I
B.A., M.A. Ph.D. (Ilorin)
Christian Studies, Church History and ContemporaryIssues
M.O. OlorunnimbeLecturer II
B.A., M.A., Ph.D. (Ilorin)
Christian Studies
S.E. IyandaLecturer II
B.A., M.A., Ph.D. (Ilorin)
Comparative Religion,African Religion
H.D KomolafeLecturer II
B.A., M.A., Ph.D. (Ilorin)
Biblical Studies.

B. Introduction

The programme in was introduced in the Department of Religions to meet the needed specialised power in that area of specialisation. This programme is aimed at producing human resources in the society vis-a- vis the further enhancement of human intellectuality. Subsequently, the programme has helped many of the students who desire to pursue a Ph.D. in Christian Studies.

C. Philosophy

The philosophy of the programme is anchored on strengthening the intellectual capacity of students in Christian Studies towards equipping them with effective capacity to foster understanding and analysis of Religious sensitivities in Nigeria and the world. This constitutes the philosophy behind the programme.

D. Aim and Objectives

The aim of the programme is to enable the students pursue courses in Christian Studies as an academic discipline and as a way of life.

Objectives:

  1. enabling the students acquire a sound knowledge of Biblical Studies including the relevant languages such as Hebrew and Greek, the ethics etc;
  2. training the students in the history of the growth of the Church as an institution;
  3. exposing the students to the relevance of Christianity to Nigeria and the rest of West Africa: and
  4. introducing a basis for sound interreligious understanding through exposure of students to courses in the other two religions relevant to Nigeria i.e. Islam and African Traditional Religion.

E. Admission Requirements

  1. Five Credit passes in SSC/GCE or its equivalent O/Level subjects including English Language and Christian Religious Knowledge.
  2. Diploma in Theology/Religious Studies/NCE + O/Level subjects including English Language.
  3. Relevant Bachelor degree not lower than Second Class (Lower Division) from recognised universities.

F. Duration of the Programme

  1. The Full-time programme shall run for a minimum of 18 calendar months and a maximum of 24 calendar months.
  2. The Part-time programme shall run for a minimum of 24 calendar months and a maximum of 36 calendar months.

G. Detailed Course Description

RCS 851  History and Theology of the Old Testament    2 Credits

Problem of revelation in history. Analysis of the features of old testament historiography in the context of the schools of modern biblical scholarship. Ancient near east to the patriarchal narratives. Exodus tradition. Period of the judges. 30h (T); C

RCS 852  The Language and Literature of the New Testament 2 Credits

In-depth study of the language and literature of the new testament. Formation of Greek canon. History of new literature and scholarship. Structure and features of the various codices. Detailed study of new testament criticism. 30h (T); C

RCS 853  The Early Church 2 Credits

History of the early church. Missionary journeys of Paul. Early heresies. Spread of the church in the Roman empire. Tension with Judaism. Form and features of churches founded by Paul. Government of the early church. Early ministries: Apostles, prophet and evangelist. 30h (T); C

SUBJECT ELECTIVES 1: OLD TESTAMENT

RCS 854Advanced Hebrew
Advanced study of Hebrew grammar and translation. Exegesis of selected texts in either Exodus or Deuteronomy and Isaiah. Sharpening exegetical skill ofexegetical tools in order to bring out the original interest of the old testament writers. 30h (T); E
2 Credits
  RCS 855Prophecy in The Old Testament
Investigation of the ancient near Eastern background to prophecy. Evidence from Mari on the history of prophecy and the effect of contemporary history onprophecy. Hermeneutics of the prophetic literature. Study of Isaiah in English. 30h (T); E
 2 Credits

RCS 856  Textual Criticism of the Testament 3 Credits

History and principles governing textual criticism with particular reference to the apparatus of Kittel‘s BibliaHebraica. Importance of researches in north western philosophy, the Qur‘an, the Septuagint and the Masoretic Texts.‖ Reconstruction of the original text through comparison of passages from three major texts. 45h (T); E

RCS 857  Progressive Revelation of God (El: Yahweh) in the Old Testament 2 Credits

Investigation of the evolution. Development of the concept of God in the Old Testament. Idea of ―God of the father‖ and divine warrior. Relationship between YAHWEH and EL, and YAHWEH AND BAAL: song of the sea and Canaanite myth. 30h (T); E

RCS 858  Intertestamental Literature 2 Credits History and development of apocalyptism in the later period of the Old Testament leading to the evolution of the pseudepigraphal literature. Study in depth of the Books of Daniel, Ezra, Zacharia, Deuteronomy Trito and Isaiah, and the book of Enoch. 30h (T); E

RCS 859  Akkadian 2 Credits

Akkadian Grammar with basic principles of grammar, paradigms, vocabulary, and inflection of verbs and nouns: study of selected transliterated texts in Akkadian and translated texts into English. 30h (T); E

RCS 860  Ugaritic 2 Credits

Ugaritic Grammar with basic principles of grammar, paradigms, vocabulary, and inflection of verbs and nouns: study of selected transliterated texts in Ugaritic and translated into English. 30h (T); E

SUBJECT ELECTIVE II NEW TEST TESTAMENT

RCS 861Advanced New Testament Greek
Advanced study of new testament Greek grammar and translation, and exegesis of selected texts from the gospels or the epistles and the acts of the apostles. Sharpeningthe exegetical hermeneutical skills of students. Providing them with the ability to use exegetical tools to understand the original intent of the new testament writers. 30h (T); E
2 Credits
RCS 862The Kingdom of God
Origin of the term ‗Kingdom of God‘, its realities in the teaching and work of Jesus 30h (T); E
2 Credits
RCS 866The Book of Signs in Saint John’s Gospel Detailed study of the so-called book of signs in the fourth gospel. Critical study and analysis of each of the signs in the forth gospel.  Question of whether or not thebook of signs forms the basis for the division of the fourth gospel. 30h (T); E2 Credits
RCS 867Aramaic Aramaic grammar with basic principles of grammar: paradigms, vocabulary andinflection of verbs and nouns. Study of selected transliterated texts in Aramaic and translated texts in English. Relation of Aramaic to the Greek text of the new testament.30h (T); E2 Credits
RCS 868Syriac
Syriac grammar with basic principles of grammar: paradigms, vocabulary and inflection of verbs and nouns. Study of selected transliterated texts in Syraic and translated texts in English. Comparison of the texts of the new testament subject electives iii churchhistory in Syriac and Greek. 30h (T); E
2 Credits

SUBJECT ELECTIVES III: CHURCH HISTORY

RCS 869  A History of The Church From The 5th to the 15th Century A.D. 3 Credits

History of the church in this period. Encounter and conflict with Vandals from Northern Europe. Church and her residence in Africa, Nubia and Ethiopia. Evangelisation of Britain, history of the church in the middle ages to the eve of reformation. 45h (T); E

RCS 870 The Reformation 3 Credits

Factors which led to the reformation. Study of the protagonists: M. Luther, J. Calvin, U. Zuinigl‘i and others. Reformation in England to 1559. Counter reformation, growth of protestantism, reformation and the life of the church. After effects of the reformation 45h (T); E

RCS 871  Missiology (with Special Reference to Africa) 2 Credits Study of missions in Africa. Strategies and methods of evangelisation. Relationships of the various missions in Africa. Effect of divided Christianity on missionary enterprise. Effect of the mission on the Church in Africa today. Consideration of the concept of moratorium. 30h (T); E

RCS 872  The Ecumenical Movement 2 Credits Study of the ecumerical movement from Edinburg 1910 to date. Second Vatican Council and its impact on Ecumenism. Critical appraisal of the history of church union in Nigeria as well as the impact of the church in Nigeria. 30h (T); E

RCS 873  African Charismatic Movements In The 20th Century 3 Credits

Emergence and growth of the charismatic movements in Africa. History and theology of some independent churches which resulted from the Movements: Bantu Church, South Africa, Kimbanguist Church Congo, independent African Churches, West Africa Lumpa Church Zambia. Effect of charismatic movements on established churches. RCS 874  History of Christianity in East and South

Africa 2 Credits

Missionary work in East and South Africa. Growth and development of the Church in East and South Africa. Present state of the Church in East and South Africa in relationship with the current state of the Church in Nigeria. 30h (T); E

SUBJECT ELECTIVES IV: CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY

RCS 875Types of Modern Theology I Critical study of the theologies of F. Schleiemacher, A. Ritschi, EmystTroeltsch and SorenKierkagaard: historical, social and political backgrounds. Lessons arehighlighted for Christian Theologians in Nigeria.30h (T); E2 Credits
RCS 876Types of Modern Theology II
In depth study and critical appraisal of the theologies of Kari Barth, Emil Brunner, R. Bultmann, John Macquarries, and J.A.T. Robinson: respectivehistorical, social and political backgrounds. Lessons are highlighted for christian theologians in Nigeria. 30h (T); E
2 Credits
RCS 877Types of Modern Theology III Black Theology. Definition and a survey of its expression in North America. Black theology in South Africa. Political implications and situational character of black theology. Consideration of liberation theology in Latin America. Feminist theology: African feminist theology. 30h (T); E2 Credits
RCS 878African Christian Theology Definition of African christian theology. Theologies of African Christian fathers: Saint Augustine, Cyprian and Tertullian. Current thinking on African christian theology. Thoughts of some scholars on African Christian theology: E. Smith J.SMbiti, E.B Idowu, Harry Sawyer, C.G Baeta, F. Fashole-Luke, A Shorther, G. Parrinder. 45h (T); C3 Credits
RCS 879Advanced Study of Christian Ethics Exposition of the ethical foundations which determine the texture of Christian moral decision with a survey of the competing system of Christian ethics as expressed in the views Calvin, Brunner, Bonhoeffer, Barth and Francis Shaeffeur. 30h (T); E2 Credits
RCS 880Postgraduate Seminar in Christian Studies
Each student is expected to present at least one seminar paper on an approvedtopical issue of relevance to Christian studies.30h (T); C
2 Credits

H. Graduation Requirements

Candidate must have taken and passed both the Core and the selected Elective courses with a score of not less than 50%. Candidate must also submit a M.A. Dissertation to be duly assessed by internal examiners and moderated by an external examiner. Minimum of 30 credits for graduation.

I. Summary

Core Courses: RCS 851 (2), 852 (2), 853 (2), 870 (3), 873 (3),

RCS 878 (3), 880 (2), RCR 852 (1), 853 (2), 854 (3) 23 Credits

Dissertation 6 Credits

Elective Courses: RCS 855 (2), 856 (3), 857 (2), 863 (2), 865 (20,

RCS 871 (2), 872 (2), 875 (2), 879 (2)

Candidates are expected to register for a minimum of 4 Credits from the Elective courses.