INDIANA UNIVERSITY – PURDUE UNIVERSITY
FORT WAYNE, INDIANA
PROPOSED SYLLABUS FOR THE FALL SEMESTER 2008.
REL 311 – 01 (13248) AFRICAN TRADITIONAL PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION
MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS 1:30 – 2:20 PM
INSTRUCTOR:
Johnathan P. Decker, Ph.D.
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment
OFFICE: CM 23
TELEPHONE: (260) 481 - 6366
E-MAIL: Deckerj@ipfw.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course offers a general survey of aspects of African traditional philosophy
and religious beliefs and practices. Emphasis will be on themes rather than on
individual national tribal religions. Case studies will be limited to West Africa
with focus on the Akhan of Ghana, the Yoruba of Nigeria, and the Mendes and
Creoles of Sierra Leone.
PRIMARY COURSE OBJECTIVE AND FOCUS
The objective of this course is to;
1. Acquire the basic principles of African Traditional philosophy and
religions.
2. Promote inter-cultural understanding.
3. Cultivate an appreciation for African traditional philosophy and religions
as it relates to other philosophies and religions of world.
4. Clear away many of the misconceptions and prejudices, which surround
African religious beliefs and practices.
5. Stimulate thinking concerning African philosophy and religions as the
motive force of African life and thought.
IPFW GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Students who have completed the General Education requirements at IPFW are
expected:
1. To be familiar with the important modes of human thought that are the
foundations of science, philosophy, art and social behavior.
2. To possess effective foundation skills:
a. Read, write, and speak with comprehension, clarity, and precision.
1
b. Identify substantive knowledge and disciplinary methods.
c. Develop information literacy skills.
d. Reason quantitatively (as means of gaining and creating knowledge and
drawing reliable conclusions).
3. To demonstrate the ability to think critically and to solve problems using the
foundation skills:
a. Evaluate their ideas and the ideas of others based upon disciplined
reasoning.
b. Understand the traditions that have formed one’s own and other
cultures.
c. Be able to articulate their ideas in appropriate media.
To achieve these objectives students will be given;
1. Proper guidelines on how to read, think, write and speak critically and
analytically. Since this is a philosophical class the emphasis will be
largely on rationalism, not so much on empiricism even though not be
completely abandoned.
2. Ample time in class to articulate and freely discuss their ideas defending
them from opposing views and criticisms in an intellectual and civil
manner. Students will be encouraged to learn how to separate issues
from personality in order to promote a friendly and warm atmosphere in
the class.
3. An opportunity to write their ideas and provide answers for
contemporary moral issues in our society. Students will in no way be
penalized for disagreeing with the instructor, but will be encouraged to
prove themselves as good attorneys on behalf of their views.
COURSE TEXTS
MBITI, John African Religions and Philosophy (second revised and enlarged
edition). Johannesburg, South Africa: Heinemann, 2008.
ISBN: 13:978-0-435-89591-4.
RAY, Benjamin C. African Religions: Symbol, Ritual and Community
(Second edition). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2000.
ISBN: 0-13-082842-4.
2
#The case for two textbooks: To help students see, feel and understand the
different approaches to studying African Traditional Philosophy and Religions;
namely, how it is done by the Westerner and how Africans approach the subject
matter.
DISABILITIES STATEMENT
If you have a disability and need assistance, special arrangements can be
made to accommodate most needs. Contact the Director of Services for
Students with Disabilities (Walb 113; telephone 481-6658) as soon as possible
to work out the details.
Once the Director has provided you with a letter attesting to your needs for
modification, bring the letter to me. For more information please visit the web
site for SSD at http://www.ipfw.edu/ssd/
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. CLASS ATTENDANCE
All class sessions and examinations will take place in KT G40 on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays of each week 1:30 – 2:20 pm unless otherwise
changed by the administration or as announced by the instructor. Attendance
is required for success in this class. It is therefore imperative for all students to
be punctual and stay for the entire period of the class session. Where there is
an emergency, or other prior obligations, absence must be communicated with
the instructor either prior to or immediately after the absence (on the same day)
by phone or electronic mail in order to qualify for make-up and/or excuse
absence.
In the event that a student is absent from class, even with permission from
the instructor, it is that student’s responsibility to secure class notes, and/or
assignment/homework/project from other students in the class. It is
recommended as such especially for those without friends in the class to start
exchanging phone numbers and electronic mail addresses. As a matter of fact,
this will only forge strong interpersonal relationships, which might have lasting
effects.
Those without excused absences may forfeit the opportunity for make-ups or
to turn in work scheduled on those dates he/she was absent. Students are
allowed up to two free absences per semester for emergencies, family and work
3
related issues during the semester. Thereafter for each additional absence two
percentage points will be deducted from the student’s grade for attendance.
Three tardies, three early departures or five excused absences equal one
absence.
Tardies will be assumed to be unexcused absence unless the student
informs the instructor other wise on the same day at the end of class before the
student and instructor leave the room. To protect the integrity of this process,
attendance will be monitored through out the semester with roll call at the
beginning of each class session.
2. CLASS PARTICIPATION
Class participation is expected of and from everyone as this is a very highly
discussion oriented class. Maximum benefit and success from the class would
depend upon the student’s willingness to participate in class discussions and
activities.
Every student is expected to participate in the end of semester course
evaluation. This will form part of the assessment for the grade for class
participation. Those who fail to participate will lose twenty percentage points
from their class participation grade.
3. READING REQUIREMENTS
Read Mbiti to gain knowledge of basic concepts in African traditional
philosophy and religions and Ray for an in-depth study of the basic
rituals and ceremonial practices of the Akhan, Yoruba, Mendes and
Creoles. There will be a mastery test on the basic concepts, rituals and
ceremonial practices of the African traditional philosophy and religions
from these texts.
4. REACTION PAPER
Based upon the readings, course instructions, presentations and class
discussions, students will be required to turn in a short reaction paper of
no less than five hundred (500) and no more than five hundred and fifty
(550) words paper during the semester. Students may focus on some
unanswered question (s) he/she has about a subject or topic, with
suggestions for some possible solutions and/or answers, etc. Evaluation
4
of the reaction paper will be based on originality, clarity, research,
critical and analytical abilities revealed in the work. Students will be
expected to conform to either the APA or Turabian standards for writing
research papers. This is due at the beginning of class on Friday,
December 05, 2008.
5. EXAMINATIONS
There will be four exams altogether in this class comprising of;
a. Two Reading Tests,
b. Mid-term Examination,
c. Final Examination,
and these will be non-comprehensive units of the course work completed at the
time. Check the course synopsis for dates.
All final examinations will take place in the regular meeting rooms on the
date and time published herein. Notice that there is absolutely no make up
allowed on final exams. This is because as per the registrar; “Instructors must
turn in final course grades within 48 hours after a final exam.”
6. ACADEMIC HONESTY
Refer to the university’s policy in the student handbook/planner part II:
Student Conduct Subject to Disciplinary Action, in particular section A,
Academic Misconduct. Where university standards are compromised in this
regard, that particular student will be dealt with as per the
standards/guidelines provided by the Department of Philosophy and Religious
Studies here at IPFW. Please free feel to contact the Secretary of the
department should you be interested in viewing and/or securing the standards.
The contact number is as above.
7. MAKE-UP
All make-up in this class must be completed by Friday November 21, 2008, at
the end of the class session. It is the responsibility of the student(s) concerned
to make all the necessary arrangements with the instructor for such makeup(s). Please remember that instructors like everyone else have superiors to
answer to, and deadline to meet. Your co-operation on this and all other
matters relating to the success of course is therefore very highly solicited.
5
8. THE USE OF CELLULAR PHONES
The use of cell phones during class session is not permitted. All cell phones
must therefore be turned off in and during class session.
METHOD OF COURSE ASSESSMENT
1. Class Attendance
20%
2. Class Participation
10%
3. Reading Tests
20%
4. Mid-Term Exam
20%
5. Reaction Paper
10%
6. Final Examination
20%
EXPLANATION OF SCALE FOR FINAL GRADE
100 – 90% =
A =
Excellent
89 – 80%
= B =
Very Good
79 – 70%
= C =
Good
69 – 60%
= D =
Below Average
Below 60% = F =
Failure
DEFINITIONS
1. COMPLETE WORK
In order to be accepted, every homework, assignment and/or projects turned in
to the instructor for grading must be type written, double-spaced, multiple
pages stapled, with the student’s name on the top right and page number on
every page. Such completed work must be handed to the instructor in class on
the due date. No student is allowed to leave anything in the instructor’s
mailbox without prior permission from the instructor.
2. LATE POLICY
All assignments are due in class on the due date and time. Any work submitted
thereafter will be deemed late. The grade for such work will start dropping per
class session. For example, from A to A-, B to B-, and so on.
6
TENTATIVE COURSE SYNOPSIS
MONTH/WEEK
TOPIC
08/25
Classes begin: Introductions, Distribution of Syllabus, and Course Overview.
Background studies – definition of key terminologies and concepts
09/01
Misconceptions and misrepresentations of African Traditional philosophy and
Religions. Mbiti, pages 1 – 14; Ray, pages ix – xiv (introduction)
No class on Monday, September 1 - LABOR DAY RECESS
09/08
Correction of misconceptions and misrepresentations of ATR
Mbiti, pages 1 – 14; Ray, pages ix – xiv
09/15
Approaches to the study of African Traditional philosophy and religion.
Mbiti, pages 6 – 14; Ray, ix – xiv
09/22
Approaches to the study of ATR (contd.).
Friday, September 26, 2088
TEST #1
09/29
The African conception of time as key to the understanding and interpretation of
African philosophy and religions - Mbiti, pages 15 – 27; Ray, pages 19 – 23
10/06
The concept of human life in relation to time - Mbiti, page 24 – 27; Ray 19 - 23
10/13
Theology in African Traditional Philosophy and Religions - Mbiti, pages 29 –
89; Ray, pages 13 – 45: Nature and works of God
Monday, 13 and Tuesday, October 14, 2008 - SCHOOL BREAK
10/20
Theology in African Traditional Philosophy and Religions
God and nature, the worship of God, spiritual beings and the living-dead
Friday, October 24, 2008 - MIDTERM EXAMINATION
10/27
Creation and the Original state of the individual - Mbiti, pages 90 – 97;
Ray, pages 4 -13, 92 – 96
11/03
Personhood – birth and childhood, initiation and puberty rights - Mbiti, pages
107 – 129; Ray, pages 58 – 71, 112 – 120
11/10
Personhood – marriage and procreation - Mbiti, pages 130 – 144
Friday, November 14, 2008 - TEST #2
11/17
Personhood – Death and Eschatology - Mbiti, pages 145 – 161;
Ray, pages 97 - 105
11/24
Spiritism: Medicine men and women, Rainmakers, Kings and Priests - Mbiti,
pages 162 198; Ray, pages 106 – 111, 121 - 127
Tuesday, November 25 – Sunday 30, 2008 - THANKSGIVING BREAK
7
12/01
Spiritism (contd.).
Concepts of evil, ethics and justice - Mbiti, pages 199 - 210
Friday, December 05, 2008 - REACTION PAPER DUE
12/08
REVISION (Students are freed to use Monday and Wednesday as study days
and revision in preparation for final and bring questions to class on Friday,
December 12 for discussions).
Friday, December 12, 2008 - COURSE EVALUATION (Every
student is expected to participate in this process. Please see grade
information for participation).
12/15
FINAL EXAMINATION - 1:00 – 3:00 pm
SPECIAL NOTICE
Please notice that the syllabus could and would be amended and/or changed by
the instructor as it becomes necessary for the benefit of the class without prior
warning.
Dr. Johnathan P. Decker
Instructor: Fall 2008
8