African Studies: Religion and Politics in African societies

On completion of this course, the student should be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of political, social and economic features of African societies with particular reference to the interplay between religion and politics in Africa in the 1800s and 1900s
• analyse the emergence, role and importance of different religions in various African societies from an interdisciplinary perspective.

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.

Students are assessed through active participation in seminars, the presentation of research reviews and written work.

The course is taught in the form of lectures and seminars. It uses interdisciplinary approaches and methods to describe and analyse the role of religion and politics in African societies. All teaching is in English.

The Swedish grades A–F.

Replaces HI2003.