M.A. Comparative Religious Studies

Master of Arts in Comparative Religious Studies

M.A. Comparative Religious Studies

List of Academic Staff

Name	Status and Qualification	Research Interests
A.I. Ali-Agan	Professor & Head B.A. (BUK, Kano); M.A., Ph.D.(Ilorin)	Studies in Hadith Literatures
Oyeronke Olademo	Professor B.A., M.A., Ph.D. (Ilorin)	New Testament, Comparative Religious Studies, WomenStudies and Yoruba Culture.
R.W. Omotoye	Professor, B.A., M.A. (OAU); Ph.D, (Ibadan);Cert. Ecumenical Studies (Geneva)	Church History, Ecumenical Studies and Inter-FaithRelations
P.O. Abioje	Professor B.Th. (Rome); M.Th., Ph.D,(Calabar)	African Christian Theology African Studies and LiberationTheology.
A.G. Alamu	Professor B.A. (AAU, Ekpoma); M.A.(Ibadan) Ph.D, (Ilorin)	Comparative Religious Studies. Asian Religious,African Religions
P.U. Nwosu	Reader B.Phil (Rome), B.Th. (Rome),M.A., PGDE, Ph.D. (Ilorin	Comparative Religion, Igbo Culture, Inter-ReligiousDialogue
O.R. Ogunade	Reader B.A. (LASU); M.A., Ph.D. (Ilorin)	Comparative Religious Studies, African Religion andScience-Religions Dialogue.
C.O. Ogunkunle	Reader B.Th. (Kitchener); M.A. (Winnipeg); Ph.D. (Ibadan)	Old Testament and Biblical Hebrew
Lydia B. Akande	Senior Lecturer B.A., M.A., Ph.D. (Ilorin)	Church History andinteraction of Religions
O.O. Ogunbiyi	Senior Lecturer B.A., M.A. (Ilorin), Ph.D. (AdoEkiti)	Comparative Studies, African Religions
M.O. Oyetade	Senior Lecturer B.A., M.A., Ph.D. (Ilorin)	New Testament and BiblicalLanguages Greek
Olubusola B. Akinfenwa	Lecturer I B.A. (Ilorin), M.A. (Ibadan)	Comparative Religion,African Religion
J.O. Osaji	Lecturer I B.A. (Ibadan), M.A. (Ilorin) Ph.D. (Ibadan)	Philosophy of Religion, Ethics and Christian Studies
Agnes O. Adeyeye	Lecturer I B.A. (ABU, Zaria), M.A., Ph.D.(Ilorin)	Church History, Christian Studies

Mary T. Daniel	Lecturer I B.A., M.A., Ph.D. (Ilorin)	Church History, ChristianStudies
O.A. Ajetomobi	Lecturer I B.A., M.A. Ph.D. (Ilorin)	Christian Studies, Church History and ContemporaryIssues
M.O. Olorunnimbe	Lecturer I1 B.A., M.A., Ph.D. (Ilorin)	Christian Studies
S.E. Iyanda	Lecturer II B.A., M.A., Ph.D. (Ilorin)	Comparative Religion,African Religion
H.D Komolafe	Lecturer II B.A., M.A., Ph.D. (Ilorin)	Biblical Studies.

B. Introduction

The programme was introduced in the Department to meet the needed manpower in the areas of their specialization. This programme is aimed at producing human resources in the society vis-a-vis for further enhancement of human intellectuality. Subsequently, the programme has helped many students in the field of Comparative Religious Studies to get jobs in tertiary institutions.

C. Philosophy

The programme is aimed at strengthening the intellectual capacity of students in Religious Knowledge towards equipping them with effective capacity to foster understanding of religious sensitivities in Nigeria and beyond.

D. Aim and Objectives

The aim of the programme is to enable the student pursue courses in Comparative Religious Studies as an academic discipline and still embrace their own faiths.

Objectives:

enabling the students acquire a sound knowledge of major religions in Nigeria (including indigenous religions);
training the students in the history and science of religions;
exposing and train students in line with the global trend of the interface of religion and science, with emphasis on African perspectives; and
introducing a basis for sound inter-religious understanding through exposure of students to courses in Christianity, Islam and African Religion.

E. Admission Requirements

Five Credit passes in SSC/GCEO/Level subjects or its equivalent including English Language and Christian Religious Knowledge or Islamic Studies.
Diploma in Theology/Religious Studies/NCE + O/Level subjects including English Language.
Relevant Bachelor degree not lower than Second Class (Lower Division) from recognised universities in humanities and law.
The candidate must have between 60% overall in M.A. Christian Studies. The candidate must have between3.5 CGGPA or 60% overall in M.A. Comparative Religious Studies.
The candidate must have M.Phil in Comparative Religious Studies if below 3.5 CGPA of 60%.

F. Duration of the Programme

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

G. Detailed Course Description

M.A. Comparative Religious Studies

RCR 852	African Religion Critical examination of the religious beliefs and practices of the African.Influence of African religion on the life of the people and society. Place of African religion in a modern society. 15h (T); C	1 Credit
RCR 853	Research Methods Methods of collecting and collating oral and writing scholarly papers, thesis and dissertation. Use of data: oral, linguistic statistical, scriptural and other written documents in the field of religious studies. Practical assignments. 30h (T); C	2 Credits
RCR 854	Religious interaction in Nigeria Concept of God in African religion. Christianity and Islam. Major beliefs, practices and influence of the three religions. Major teachings of each of these religions on pluralism. Expert from each of the threereligions shall teach the course, one credit per religion.45h (T); C	3 Credits
RCR 855	Advanced Study of Philosophy of Religion Consideration of some significant philosophical problems on philosophy, faith and Religious experience. Value and task of philosophy of Religion and functions of Religious Language. Analysis and application of Edo. Philosophical methodology, provide studentswith experience for evaluative opportunity to develop their positions. 30h (T); E	2 Credits
RCR 856	Advanced Study of Theories of Religion Exposure to theoretical views on religion, especially the Freudian,Durkheimian, Weberian, Frazian theories of religion the examination of existentialism, atheism, traditionalism, secularism, humanism, marxismand socialism. 30h (T); C	2 Credits

RCR 857	Advanced Study of African Religion Interpretation of selected scholarly texts by African and non-African scholars of African religion: Edwin Smith, Bascon, Evans-Pratchard, Parrinder, Idowu, Mbiti, Abimbola, Awolalu, Ikenga-Metuh, Dopamu.J.D.Y. Peel, Karin Barber, Lagesa and Olupona. Consideration of themes: God, ancestors, sprits, kingship, creation, divination, society in African religion. 30h (T); C		2 Credits
RCR 858	African Religion in Critical Research Image of African religion as portrayed by western scholars: early contact with the religion. Changing views of western scholars regarding African religion. Reaction by emerging African scholars of African religion. Eurocentric interpretation of African religion. Approach andproblems of interpretation. 30h (T); E		2Credits
RCR 859	Advanced Study of African Religion in Nigeria Nature, status, importance and the future of African Religion in Nigeria among different ethnic groups: Yoruba Igbo, Igala, Edo, Ibibio, Ijaw,Urhobo, Nupe, and others. Survival of African Religion. Religious practices in Nigeria: Impact of Orisa Conference. 30h (T); C		2Credits
RCR 860	Issues in African Religious Ethics Issues in African Religion on moral decisions: sexual behaviour, family responsibility, use of properties, drug abuse, oath taking, hospitality, moral judgment, accountability, good and evil. Societal and religionsrules and regulations. Reward and punishment. Illustrations from various ethnic groups. 30h (T); E		2 Credits
RCS 861	History of Religions Religion-swissenschaft. History and importance of the study of religion. Religious traditions of peoples of the world. Growth of world‘s religions in history: African Religion, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Confucianism, Taoism and Shintoism. Critical comparison of the religions.30h (T); E	2 Credits

RCR 862	African Religion and Social Transformation Factors causing social transformation in Africa: colonisation, slave trade, coming of Christianity and Islam. Impact of western culture, industrialisation and urbanisation. Emergence of modern education system, independent movement, national identity. Impact of these factorson traditional African values, religious beliefs, and social organisation. 30h (T); C	2Credits
RCR 863	Trends in the Study of Comparative ReligionPurpose and scope of comparative religion. Relationship between comparative religion and history of religion. History of the study of religion: evolutionism, functionalism psycho-analysis marixism, anthropology, sociology. Methodological perspectives in comparative religion. Topological, demographical and theological classifications of world‘s religions.30 (T); E	2 Credits

RCR 864	Inter-religious Dialogue Religious pluralism, pluralist societies. Inter and intra religious controversies, among communities in the world, particularly Nigeria: fundamentalism, fanaticism, eclusivism, ignorance, and intolerance. Inter- religious dialogue in resolving conflicts. Meaning, purpose, scope and principles of inter-religious dialogue. Problems in the methodology ofinter-religious dialogue. Religious understanding and harmony in Nigeria. 30h (T); C	2 Credits
RCR 865	Selected Themes in Comparative Religion Comparative study of some major themes in comparative religion. God. Creative act of God. Heaven and earth. Nature and destiny of human beings. Good and evil. Salvation. Death. Immortality of the soul. Moral values. Worship. Society and the environment. 30h (T);	2 Credits
RCR 866	Dialogue Between Science and Religion Science and religion in history. Darwin‘s theory of evolution. Implication for religion. Scientific and technological revolutions of present age and their challenges to religious beliefs. New relationship between science and religion. Contributions of Ted Peters, Lan G. Barbour, Alfred NorthWhitehead, and others. 30h (T); E	2 Credits
RCR 867	New Religious Movements in Africa 2 Credits Definition and rise of new religion movements. Social, cultural and political factors. Classification of movements: prophetic, messianic and

RCR 870 Religion and Medicine in Africa 2 Credits

Medicine in African religion. Relationship between medicine, magic and religion. Diseases and diagnosis. Potench and relevance of magic and medicine as remedies, in fighting society and witchcraft. Rituals of magic and medicine. Divination. Dosage and hygiene. Modern trends. Miracles and spiritual healing. 30h (T); E

RCR 871 Advanced Study of Phenomenology of Religion 2 Credits Phenomenological methods in the study religion. Religious experience in thought, action, and fellowship. Critical insights of selected authors who have studied and interpreted religious phenomena: James, Mircea Eliade, Ninian Smart, Rudolf Otto, Ibn Sina, al-Ghazali. Phenomenological approach to African religion. 30h (T); E

RCR 880 Postgraduate Seminar in Comparative Religious Studies 2 Credits

Each student is expected to present a seminar paper on approved contemporary religious studies. Paper shall relate to the project (RCR 699). Panel of examiners shall grade the performance of each student at the seminar. 30h (T); C

RCR 899 Dissertation 6 Credits

Topic in comparative religious studies, chosen by the student, approved by the department. Regular supervision and approval by the department. Not more than 15,000 words: excluding appendices and submitted not later than 3 months after the semester of student‘s completed last course. 270h (P); C

H. Graduation Requirements

Five Credit passes in SSC/GCE or its equivalent O/Level subjects including English Language and Christian Religious Knowledge.

Candidates must have taken and passed both the core and the selected elective courses with a score of not less than 50%. Candidates must also submit a dissertation to be duly assessed by an internal examiner and moderated by an external examiner.

I. Summary

Core Courses: RCR 852 (1), 853 (2), 854 (3), 856 (2), 857 (2),

RCR 859 (2), 861 (2), 862 (2), 864 (2), 880 (2) and RCS 873 (3) 23 Credits

Dissertation: 6 credits

Elective Courses: RCR 858 (2), 860 (2), 863 (2), 866 (2),

868 (2), 870 (2) 4 Credits

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

M.A. Comparative Religious Studies

Contact Us

About Us

Other Links