African Studies: Religion and Politics in African societies

This course includes an 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 where they appeared and are present. The course examines more closely broad questions like 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 organisation of social, political and economic life? The course also focuses on the interaction between established religion and new religious systems and movements.