African Studies: Religion and Politics in African Societies

This course includes an in-depth introduction to the religious landscape of Africa. The various strands of Christianity, Islam and the basic tenets of African and non-Western religions are identified and studied in the context of the economic, political and social environment in terms of where they appeared and where they are present. The course examines broad questions more closely, such as the following: How does religion affect the political orientation of a society? How are religious differences and conflicts confronted and resolved? What role do religions play in the organization of social, political and economic life? The course also focuses on the interaction between more established religions and new belief systems and movements.