Overview (Undergraduate courses)

The course considers the doctrines of the Holy Spirit from the Apostolic to Contemporary periods. The character, nature and functions of the Holy Spirit are examined. Some of the topics to be treated include: the nature of the Holy Spirit and the Apostolic Fathers, the Holy Spirit and Christian apologist, the Holy Spirit and the Bible, the Holy Spirit in the Medieval period, and the Holy Spirit and the Reformers. Additionally, the course examines the place and significance of the Holy Spirit in the doctrine of the Trinity and Christian Creeds. It further looks at the place of the Holy Spirit in African Christian expression.

This course explores the relationships between religions in the context of a plural society and the globalised world. It analyses the social and theological aspects of the impact of religious diversity. This includes the power of religious identity to influence society for social cohesion or conflict. This course examines religious diversity and interreligious dialogue and the challenges they bring to religious communities, civil society, governance, and public institutions. It places an emphasis on praxis as well as theory and personal experience is valued as part of the learning environment.

The course is designed to raise sensitivity to the ethical and moral dimensions of issues and problems that face the modern professional, and to draw on moral insight from both religious and non-religious ethical theories and principles in discussing them. Ethical codes of selected professional groups and cases will be discussed. Discussions will include how religion affects the techniques and procedures in rational decision-making, and the development of appropriate values and virtues for professionals. The course covers the ethics of several major professions: business ethics; media ethics; police ethics; medical ethics; legal ethics; and research ethics. Topics covered will also include: the nature of a profession, professional codes of ethics, confidentiality, whistleblowing, the responsibility of business to the environment, uses and abuses of human research, and animal ethics in research.

The course discusses the cultural and historical connections between religion and human rights. It also looks the paradigms that enable an appreciation of the differences and agreements between religious traditions and the modern human rights movement. The religious and cultural roots of human rights, human dignity, natural rights and ‘divine’ law will be discussed. It will examine African religious values and indigenous human rights and their role in international human rights, and religious pluralism. The course will also focus on religion as an instrument of abuse and a resource for the protection and promotion of human rights.

The course introduces students to African traditional religious retentions in the diaspora and continuities in the diaspora. It highlights issues of dispersion, identity and return as key elements in the African diaspora, inter-racial living and contributions of Africans to the development to their diasporic locations. It also examines the presence of other religions such as Islam, Hebraism and Christianity in the African diaspora as well as Religion and politics in the African diaspora. The focus of the course will be on Europe and the New Worlds. We shall also discuss the diasporic New Religious Movements return ‘home.’

Special Paper I offers any faculty and/or visiting lecturer the possibility to propose a course on current issues, in any sub-disciplinary area. For example, religion and globalisation, the church’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, etc. The aim is to engage students with new theories, methodologies, and development in the discipline of religious studies.

This course introduces students to contemporary issues and Islam’s response to them. Topical issues to be discussed include: Islamic resurgence, Islamization and concept of Ahu-ul Dhimma; Islam and violence; Islamic law and human rights; Islam, democracy and the West; Islam and the mass media; Islam and global peace, security and development; concept of Bida (innovation); Islam and science phenomenon of women’s Mosques; Muslims in non-Muslim environment; Islam and environment; queer Islam; Islam and sustainable development.

The course introduces students to contemporary studies and discourse about the person of Paul and the theology embedded in his writings through the exegesis of selected texts. Topics include: Paul's background (Pharisaic, Qumranic, Rabbinic background); Pauline soteriology (centrality of the cross, reconciliation, expiation, justification); the person of Christ; the Holy Spirit; Pauline anthropology; ecclesiology and ethics. 

The course introduces students to a good idea of commonalities and differences in some religious ethical systems. The focus is on Christianity, Islam and African Traditional Religion and the context is the Ghanaian experience of religious pluralistic society. It examines the philosophy and theological reasons underpinning some ethical values and practices in these religious ethical systems. The approach is mainly comparative; this is not meant to pass value judgment on the religious and ethical values and practices of any particular religion. Discussions shall cover religion and ethics, foundations of religious ethical systems, specific subjects and themes e.g., marriage and sexuality, cherished values and abhorred practices, contemporary moral issues, etc. Students will be encouraged to share their lived experiences.

The course introduces students to the Wisdom books in the Hebrew bible. Topics include the historical development (wisdom in the ANE context; in early Israel, pre-exilic and post-exilic wisdom); character formation, theodicy, the suffering of the righteous, the challenges of life, relationship with the ‘other’ (co-human and nature) and eschatological vision. Furthermore, the course guides students to engage selected Wisdom texts with their contemporary Ghanaian context.

The course guides students to engage the Old Testament texts with African worldview and with contemporary African reality. It will pay special attention to the African presence and contribution to Old Testament studies. Selected themes include images of God; covenant; blessing and curse; idolatry; theology of nature, spirit possession, the individual and the community, the concept of alienation, death and beyond.

Special Paper II offers any faculty and/or visiting lecturer the possibility to propose a course on current issues, in any sub-disciplinary area. For example, religion and globalisation, the church’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, etc. The aim is to engage students with new theories, methodologies, and development in the discipline of religious studies.

This course has to do with the historical evolution of Islam in Ghana to the present time (postcolonial era). It traces the history and patterns of Islamization as well as a dominant discussion of some groups and kingdoms in Ghana. It will consist of perspectives from Asante, Dagomba, and the coastal areas. Then some selected themes will be studied. These will include education and literacy, Muslims’ involvement in politics, contemporary Muslim organizations both inter and intra religious/Islamic dialogue, and international relations with the wider world.

The course introduces students to the beginnings and sequence of doctrinal development of the Early Church. It explores the Hellenistic nature of the Roman Empire, emphasising the religious and philosophical nature of the Roman context in which Christianity developed. Some of the doctrines to be discussed include the doctrines of God, Christ’s saving work, sin, grace and human freedom, the Church, Sacraments and Christian hope. Furthermore, it appraises the relevance of the doctrines of the Early Church on contemporary Ghanaian Christianity.

The course introduces students to the four canonical gospels, the gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, paying special attention to the distinctive portrait of Jesus that each gospel presents. Topics of study include (but are not limited to): the history of the discipline; theories regarding the ‘Synoptic Problem;’ the relationship of the Synoptics to the Gospel according to John and to non-canonical texts; a general introduction to critical methods in Gospel analysis such as literary, redaction, socio-historical, and tradition-critical; analysis of an important theme such us the concept of Kingdom of God; Logos; Mission; Justice; community building; the relationship between universalism and particularism.

It is scholarly acknowledged that when both Islam and Christianity reached West Africa, they did not only compete with each other, but also, with the resilient indigenous beliefs and practices of the people. The course introduces students to the history of the major religious traditions in West Africa, i.e., Traditional Religion, Islam and Christianity. It focuses on their modes of growth, and main institutions, and modern religious trends in the West African sub-region. The course also seeks to understand how these religions have fared in their encounter with each other and their struggle for survival in the sub-region.

The course introduces students to the fundamental topics in biblical Hebrew that will prepare them for in-depth study of the Hebrew language to enable them to read and understand the Tanak in the Hebrew language. Areas to be covered will include, the Hebrew alphabets, vowels and syllable structure, the noun sentence, the Hebrew verb, construct relationship, suffixed pronouns, adjective and demonstrative, Qal active and translation of simple biblical narrative texts.

The course introduces students to the history and culture of African Muslims in the diaspora. It charts the history of the introduction of Islam in the diaspora through slavery and other channels of dissemination. As part of the course, rites of passage -birth, marriage and death, issues of gender, race as they manifest in the diaspora will be discussed in addition to the roles of Muslims in civil rights movements.

This is a follow up to the course on Qur’anic Studies and provides a more detailed discussion and understanding of the Qur’an. Topics to be treated include: Qur’anic exegesis; Peculiarities in Interpretations of the Qur’an; Approaches to the Study of the Qur’an; (Orientalists, Traditional and Modernist), Classical and Medieval exegetes; Survey of Tafsir Literature; Methodological Issues in the Study of the Qur’an; Modern Qur’anic Translations and Commentaries; Selected Major Themes in the Qur’an; Women Interpreters.

This course is a continuation of Hebrew I in which aspects of the Hebrew grammar, vocabulary and syntax not covered in Hebrew I will be taught. It is expected that students will gain more competence and confidence towards the reading and translation of Biblical texts. Areas to be covered will include the verbal system with special emphasis on the Qal stem.

This course is an introduction to the grammatical rules of the Arabic language set by traditional Arab grammarians. The aim is to enhance the understanding of Arabic sentence types, their components, functions and characteristics, through grammar and translation exercises. It also aims at providing students with the required skills to be able to understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in the theological and exegetical study of the Qur’an and Hadith.

The course is a follow up to Hadith Studies and provides students with a more intensive and comprehensive study of the science of Hadith. Among other things it deals with conceptual and methodological issues in the scientific study of Hadith. It discusses a selection of Ahadith of An-Nawawi and Imam Khomeini’s Forty Hadith with emphasis on identification, interpretation, application and derived lessons. It also analyses some modernists’ views on Hadith.

This course examines the biblical, historical and theological developments in thought and practice in relation to Christian Missions. It explores some of the central themes and issues in missions such as the models of mission, the goal and purpose of mission, the five marks of mission and motifs for fulfilling the missionary tasks from a historical perspective. The role of the church in ministering to a contemporary world context will be emphasised: Mission in times of pandemic, the gospel in its relation to (non-)Western cultures, religious pluralism, gender dynamic.

This module focuses on a study of the ethical analyses of global ecological and/or environmental problems and a discussion of key issues in contemporary ecological ethics. It also explores types of ecological ethical theories – both secular and religious – that are required in making moral decisions about humankind’s relationships with the natural environment – God’s good creation. The course also explores the relevance and role of religion towards environmental sustainability.

The course aims to guide students to learn how to conduct an exegetical and theological study of a biblical text and how to engage the Old Testament texts with contemporary African reality. It will pay special attention to the African presence and contribution to Old Testament Studies. Furthermore, it examines the beginnings, development, methods and approaches of Old Testament interpretation and theology and will introduce students to the different methodological approaches to the study of a biblical text, with special attention to African hermeneutics approach: Comparative Approach, Intercultural Hermeneutics; Liberational Hermeneutics; Contextual Bible Studies; Communicative Approach; Feminist Approach; Mother-tongue hermeneutics. Reading of a selected text from an African Perspective will be part of the course.

The course introduces students to the five New Testament writings traditionally attributed to the apostle John: the fourth Gospel; the Letters and the book of Revelation. Topics include the debate about authorship; formation; socio-economical background of the texts; relationship with the Qumran movement and Gnosticism; Christology; theology and ecclesiology. Important concepts such as the logos, the lamb of God, the Paraclete, realized eschatology and verbal themes such as believe, see, remain, etc. will be analysed.

The course provides students with a general overview of prophetic and apocalyptic literature in Ancient Israel to equip students to evaluate the prophetic and neo-prophetic movement that characterize contemporary Ghanaian Christianity. The course is organized into two parts: the first addresses the following topics: prophecy in Ancient Near East (ANE); historical development; etymology and function; prophetic literature and its literary genres; apocalyptic literature. The second proposes an exegetical and theological study of selected prophetic books or passages.

The course introduces students to theological and ethical issues present in the Old Testament. Topics include definition; history of the disciple, methodology and challenges; images of God; covenant, law, kingship, messianic expectation, the problem of evil and suffering, humans’ identity and destiny, human relationship with God (worship) and with others, and nature (social justice). Furthermore, the course will equip students to engage selected Old Testament texts with major contemporary ethical issues such as poverty and wealth, marriage and divorce, attitude towards political authorities; role of women; social justice and ecology.

The course invites students to explore and understand the social location and significance of religion in contemporary global society. This is against the background of the resurgence and re-organisation of religious forms and institutions in global public discourse and in the public sphere in recent years, contrary to the oft-said growing secularisation of global society. Particularly, the growing religious contest for public relevance and resilience of religious life in a secularising world means a critical analysis of the secularisation thesis, in relation to religion. Largely contextualising discussions to the Ghanaian public sphere, the course explores the socio-cultural, political, and economic developments and conditions that have encountered religious life in Ghana, and the religious responses to them.

This course introduces students to different aspects of Islamic civilization after 661AD. It examines the contributions and impact of the major dynasties i.e., the Umayyad, Abbasids and the Ottoman Empire, and analyses the dynamics of power struggle in the ummah (Persia and Arab); external religious and philosophical influences on Islamic civilization; theological, intellectual, scientific and cultural achievements;  a study of some classical Islamic institutions; Muslim personalities and the development of Islamic religious thought and jurisprudence; influence of Islam on medieval Europe and Abolition of the Ottoman caliphate; Islam’s encounter with secularism and modernity.

This course is on the ways in which Islam has interacted and continues to interact with other cultures. It specifically has to do with the ways in which African Muslims expressed their agency in their daily practicalities with Islam as living religion. It will engage students by first problematizing the title ‘Islam and African Culture.’ Then various concepts and selected themes such as African Muslims’ spiritualities, popular cultures such as festivals and funerals, and social interactions of Muslim men and women will be the focus of this course (gender). At the end, the course would highlight the manner in which various ethnicities and cultures in Africa have indicated through various cultures the dynamic nature of Islam as a living religion.

This course critically examines the category ‘women in African indigenous religions.’ It identifies, classifies and examines the stereotypes given to this category of women and their implications, studies how the diverse classes of African women perceive and/or participate in indigenous religious beliefs and practices and analyses African women’s status, roles, rights and responsibilities in both the traditional and modern contexts as well as the challenges they face in the performance of their religio-cultural duties in the contemporary society.

The course introduces students to the interplay between Christianity and African culture. It examines aspects of African culture, worldview and Indigenous religious practices as they manifest in African Christian life, e.g. Chieftaincy, Libation, Polygamy and Rites of Passage. The trends and developments in African Christianity, in terms of the modulation of African symbols, Christological titles, values and spirituality into the Ghanaian Christian landscape feature significantly.

The course introduces students to theological and ethical issues present in the New Testament Writings (Gospels, Acts, Letters and Revelation). Topics include the teachings and actions of Jesus (parables and miracles); some major concepts in the Johannine Literature, Paul’s understanding of Sins and redemptions; his pneumatology and ecclesiology. Furthermore, the course will equip students to engage selected New Testament texts with major contemporary ethical issues such as poverty and wealth, marriage and divorce, attitude towards political authorities; role of women; social justice and ecology.

This course seeks to study the African indigenous Religious (AIR) understandings of development. The epistemological and ontological perspectives of AIR will be discussed to enable students to engage the contemporary Western concept of development from an objective and open-minded perspective. A brief outline and discussion of the indigenous beliefs and practices to provide some basic underpinnings of the indigenous knowledge systems and its impact on modern concepts of development. Additionally, the roles of indigenous and contemporary community leaders like priests, priestesses and mediums, chiefs and queen-mothers, nkɔsuoɔhene (development chiefs) and other traditional and the local government will be examined in relation to community development.

The course will define Sharia and examine the philosophical foundation of this legal system. It will discuss its objectives, characteristics and features; the Qur’an and Sunna as primary sources. An aspect of the course will be devoted to the historical development of the secondary sources; distinction between Shari’ah and fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) and the four great fuqaha (jurists). Different aspects of the contents of Shariah (e.g. personal status, criminal, family and international relations) will be studied.  Part of the course will analyse modern legal reforms and the challenges of application and implementation of Shari’ah in contemporary times.

This course introduces students to the idea of modernity and how Muslims, especially theologians have responded to it. It shows the ways Muslims have made attempts to reconcile their faith with issues of modernity. The course will examine what constitutes modernity. Among other things, issues, such as democracy, modern education, technology, and human rights, will be discussed. Special reference will be made to selected Islamic theologians Fettullah Gullen, Yusuf Al- Qaradawi, Abu Ala Mawdudi, Leila Bakhatiya among others.

This course surveys the history of Christianity in West Africa from the advent of Iberian Catholicism to the growth of Afro-Christian Churches in the contemporary era. It examines the historical developments in the major epochs as outlined in the course. The course will emphasise the response and role of Africans in the planting and nurturing of the Church in West Africa. Some themes to study include mission impulses, race, indigenous agency, Caribbean influences, conversion techniques, and religious change. Primary case studies will be drawn from Ghana, Nigerian and Sierra Leone. 

This course explores the meanings of environmental and community sustainability from the African religion-cultural and diverse academic perspectives. Emphasis will be, particularly, on the various conceptions of the natural world from indigenous African perspective and indigenous knowledge systems and approaches to environmental sustainability. Guest speakers from local community organizations and businesses as well as professors from different departments will engage students with what sustainability means in their professional and civic activity.

Students are encouraged to select a topic of interest for a thorough research, abiding by all the principles of writing a research paper. The selected topic should be approved by the Department before a supervisor is assigned to guide the student in the writing, through directed reading of a current topical issue in the subject area. The selected topics must be chosen from one of the sub-disciplinary areas of Study of Religions and the research problem clearly addressed, though the nature of that problem may be theoretical, methodological, or a contemporary issue relating to the relevance of religion in the Ghanaian society.

The course introduces students to the main belief systems, creeds, doctrines, and dogmas of Islam as one of the Abrahamic Traditions. It explains the concept of Tawheed as the bedrock of Islam and the main Islamic Rituals and Modes of worship as practised by the main groups: Sunni, Shiah and the Ahmadiyyah. It further discusses how these foundational teachings find expressions in the various social, economic, religious lives of Muslims and their relevance to the general development of Muslims and humanity. In addition, it will also discuss the inner dimension of the rituals of the Faith and Practice of Islam.

This course exposes students to the various forms of media and mediations that take place on Muslims’ scenes of contemporary times. It will discuss the utilization of media messages by Muslims for various purposes. In addition, issues of some selected Muslim televangelists and the themes will be discussed. The course will also raise critical issues on the connection between Islam, Muslims, and the media.

Credit Hours - 3

This course is on the various dimensions of mystical expressions of Islam that abound as daily ritual practices of Muslims. It is on the various groups that avail as Sufi movements as well as their understandings of divine human relationships and the idea of personhood. It will discuss the history of Sufism in Muslim societies and narrow down two dominant groups relating to their rituals and spiritual development. At the end, the course will make important discussions that connect to leadership, structures, and engagements with broader Muslim societies. The course will discuss the works of Al-Ashari, Al-Kindi, Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina and Al-Ghazzali in the context of Islamic spirituality.

Credit Hours - 3

This course examines some of the major religious traditions of the world, in a comparative context focusing on their similarities and differences. It includes a study of the historical development, basic doctrines, and important sects of the major religious traditions of the world. It uncovers universal conceptual patterns of religiosity and how these are expressed contextually in different faiths. treatment of such themes as conceptions and categories of ultimate reality; the concept of man; soteriology and rituals.

Credit Hours - 3

This course introduces students to the canonical Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. It discusses problems of authorship; dating; place of writing, background, purpose and recipients of these gospels. Topics include: the synoptic problem and its hypothetical solutions; the contents and concerns of the synoptic Gospels; their theology; christology; eschatology; soteriology and exegesis of selected texts.

Credit Hours - 3

This course focuses on individual Church Fathers and their contributions to the development of Christianity from the first century to the end of the fourth century. Some of the Fathers to be studied include Apostolic Fathers (such as Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp); Greek Fathers (such as Justin, Irenaeus, Origen, Athanasius, Cyril); and Latin Fathers (such as Tertullian, Cyprian, Jerome, Augustine). The course categorizes the Fathers into various periods and locations.

Credit Hours - 3

The course introduces students to the Torah/Pentateuch, the five books which constitute the foundation of the Old Testament. Topics include: the historical background of Ancient Israel (ANE); the principal theories on the formation of the Pentateuch (Documentary Hypothesis; Fragmentary Hypothesis; etc.); the personality of Moses; relationship between narratives and legal texts; the main theological themes (Creation; Covenant; Blessing); exegetical study of some selected texts.

Credit Hours - 3

The course consolidates and sustains students’ acquired skills in reading and writing standard Arabic and introduces more syntactic structures by analysing short focused texts in the Qur'an and Hadith. Students will be introduced to contextualized and authentic grammar exercises with the purpose of integrating grammar concepts in their reading of Islamic texts. The course will also deal with the translation of simple sentences. The aim is to enhance the understanding of Arabic sentence types, their components, functions and characteristics, through grammar and translation exercises.

Credit Hours - 3

The fact of ethical universalism cannot be denied. There are ethical standards of behaviour that are acceptable to people around the globe. Nevertheless, there are certain standards of behaviour that are also of value to some groups of people that may not be of universal concern to others elsewhere. In this course, students will be helped to have a good idea of the foundations of African indigenous ethics and the relationship between religion and morality in African societies. The Course will also discuss nature, presuppositions, value and goals of African traditional ethical ways of life (some of which may be peculiar), and make critique in relation to factors of change, continuities and discontinuities in indigenous moral values.

Credit Hours - 3

The course examines the intersections of gender, religion, and culture as well as how they influence and shape each other, with reference to Africa’s three main religions (African Indigenous Religions, Islam, and Christianity). Cultural hermeneutics, feminism, literary, ethnographic and gender analysis will be used to de/reconstruct themes such as power, patriarchy, agency, violence, among others. Oral performances, including male and female music and praise genres will be examined to illustrate sources of social, cultural, and religious construction gender as well as subversion, female power, and agency. 

Credit Hours - 3

Living in the modern world means having to engage with many complex moral questions, not only in our personal lives but also when thinking about public policy. This course is devoted to in-depth discussion of a variety of problems in moral philosophy raised by current ethical controversies. Possible topics include capital punishment, torture, terrorism, war, poverty, genetic engineering and our treatment of animals and the environment. The aim of the course is to identify and understand the main philosophical issues raised by these topics, and to help you develop and defend your own views about them.

Credit Hours - 3

The course introduces students to the living expression of religion in Ghana. It also examines the scope and range of the influence of religion in Ghanaian society. The course, in addition, provides analysis of the role of Religion in traditional Ghanaian societies; the role of Religion in modern Ghanaian society; impact, revitalisation and social change. It also discusses religious diversity, tension and conflicts; religion and governance; and national aspiration for peaceful co-existence.

Credit Hours - 3

The course discusses the contribution of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to humanity. It examines the geography, social, economic, religious and political background to Arabia and analyses the concept of Jahiliyyah; early life and call to Prophethood; Prophet Muhammad (SAW)  in Makkah and the concept of  Hijrah as an event and symbol; Muhammad (SAW)  as Prophet and Statesman in Madina; Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) Relationship with non-Muslims and International Diplomacy; Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) Spirituality and its place in Muslim devotion; The death of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and aftermath; Approaches to the Study of the Prophet and The Prophet in the writings of orientalists.

Credit Hours - 3

This course aims to foster an advanced knowledge and critical engagement with key issues in philosophy and theology. Typically, it will engage in detail with a historical and critical study of selected texts from major Philosophers and Theologians – pre – Christian, Christian and Islamic, non- religious and anti – religious, and from the classical, medieval, modern and contemporary periods. Some of the influential philosophers and theologians to be studied include; Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, Hume, Kant, Kierkegaard, Wittgenstein, John Hick, Al-Kindi, Al-Farabi, Ibn-Sina (Avicenna), Ibn-Rushd, Al-Ghazzali. It aims to explore philosophical and theological questions and arguments like the nature of God, Analogy, Religious language, religious experience, reason and faith, knowledge, revelation, evil, miracles, the soul, meaning of life and death, immortality, religion and science.

Credit Hours - 3

The course introduces students to contemporary religion with an emphasis on new and modern religious movements in Europe, North America, and Africa. It offers the contemporary and historical background of modern religious movements and discusses how various sections of society react to them.  It offers detailed study of selected International Movements, e.g., Nichiren Shoshu, ISKCON, Eckankar, etc., and local/indigenous Movements, e.g., Afrikania Mission, Independent Churches, Charismatic Ministries and Charismatic Movements within Mainline Churches.

Credit Hours - 3

The course explores Christian ethics as an academic discipline; discusses the distinctive characteristics of Christian ethics; examines the Christian decision-making process (issues of methodology) and surveys some ethical teachings of Jesus and the Apostle Paul. The course also examines some contemporary issues of Christian moral concern: abortion; the care of the natural environment; assisted reproductive technologies; and human sexuality. Particular emphasis will be paid to the teachings and practices of Jesus as the cornerstone of ethical decision-making in the church.

Credit Hours - 3

The course, which is a continuation of the course on the Life of Muhammad, examines the major developments after the death of the Prophet (SAW) in 632AD till 661AD. Students will examine the concept of the khilafa (Caliphate) as a religio-political institution; the issues of succession and leadership; the Proto-Shite Phenomenon and its implication for the schisms and doctrinal development; leadership styles of the four ‘rightly- guided caliphs’; expansion of Islam, Administration of Territories; and associated challenges; The Caliphs and their non-Muslim subjects; Civil wars and security; fall of the Orthodox Caliphate and rise of the Umayyad dynasty.

Credit Hours - 3

The course focuses on the reception of Christianity in the early Roman Empire between the 1st – 6th centuries. It introduces students to developments in the Early Church, with emphasis on the Jewish and Graeco-Roman settings. Furthermore, it evaluates the roles and contributions of some Church Fathers, paying considerable attention to internal and external challenges that led to the development of heretical groups, doctrinal controversies, persecutions and martyrdom.  The course concludes with an evaluation of the role of Christian Apologists and the emergence of the Christian canon.

Credit Hours - 3

This course introduces students to myths and symbols of the indigenous religions and cultures of the African people. Selected African myths and symbols on creation, spirits and deities, humans, rituals, etc. will be discussed. It looks at how myths and symbols influence the religious and cultural lives of Africans. It will also analyse some symbolic meanings underlying proverbs, gender, number, colour, art forms (including Adinkra symbols) and fabrics in Africa. The course seeks to establish the universality and functional values of myths and symbols.

Credit Hours - 3

The course introduces students to the geographical landscape and the complex religious, socio-economic, and political environments that shaped the New Testament writings. Topics include: the attempts at the Hellenization of Palestine under Antiochus IV Epiphanes; the Hasmonean dynasty; Roman colonization of Palestine from 63 BCE to the Bar Kokhba Revolt (132-135 CE); Religious groups (Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Essenes, the Zealots, etc.), Institution in Judaism; Feast and Festival.

Credit Hours - 1

The course introduces students to the basic principles of biblical Exegesis and Hermeneutics. It will expose them to the stages and steps involved in exegeting a biblical text; practical approach in interpreting selected texts from the Old and New Testament and how to contextualise a text in the contemporary African context. The course will examine the importance of exegesis and hermeneutics for the contemporary African Christian.

Credit Hours - 3

The course introduces the student to the fundamentals of Modern Standard Arabic, intended to develop a mastery of the Arabic alphabet for rudimentary reading and writing to build the foundational grammar for understanding short passages from both the Qur’an and the Hadith. Additionally, students will also acquire a fair understanding of the Arabs and their culture from the classical to the modern period in the context of Islamic Studies.

Credit Hours - 3

This course introduces students to the New Testament writings which originated in the Greco-Roman world. The courses discuss the story of Jesus, his encounter with humanity, the life and activities of the early church as recorded in the New Testament writings. It examines the history of the formation of the New Testament canon; its composition, structure and outstanding literary issues and theological themes of the main sections. It analyses how Christian communities, particularly in Ghana, use them as the primary lenses to interpret their lives and realities.

Credit Hours - 3

This course seeks to examine the historical and methodological issues in the study African Indigenous Religions (AIR) as an academic subject. It identifies and examines earlier attitudes, terminologies, and definitions associated with AIR brought about by its historical encounter with Islam, Christianity, colonialism, etc. This provides the basis for the examination of current attitudes and stereotypes about research and studies in AIR in the continent vis-à-vis its growing academic interest in the West. Similarly, issues of theory and method in AIR, including some engagement with contemporary discourses like the Insider/Outsider debate, self-reflexivity, research sensitivity, etc. would be discussed.

Credit Hours - 3

The course provides a broad introductory perspective to the study of magic and witchcraft. The first part will briefly survey and discuss witchcraft and magic in the Bible and witchcraft in Europe and America (witch hunting, witch meetings, cannibalism and Black Mass, witches and devils, confessions, etc.) as well as the interpretations of European witchcraft and magic. The second part will engage the issues of witchcraft and magic in Africa (activities of African witches, confessions, witch hunting, witch doctors, etc.). It includes the social setting of witchcraft and magic in Africa. Finally, the course will discuss the future of witchcraft and magic.

Credit Hours - 3

The course analyses the various trends in Christian development and practice during the Middle Ages. It highlights the challenges, such as wars, rationalism, schism, and corruption that characterised the struggle of the church in the Middle Ages, the strategies adopted towards missions and the rise of Christendom. The course discusses Religion in the Medieval Society, Veneration of saints and Relics, Conversion of the West (350-700) and the Carolingian Renaissance.   It also discusses the religious reforms of the Medieval period and their impact on Church and Society.

Credit Hours - 3

The course introduces students to the Renaissance of the Medieval period and its impact on Religion. It analyses the historical antecedence of the Renaissance, the cultural, intellectual, and religious movements that helped to make an unprecedented change on the socio-cultural and religious landscape of the medieval period. The course discusses gender, spirituality, intellectual work, and Christian humanism during the Renaissance period.  Major aspects of church reforms that characterised the era will be explored.

Credit Hours - 3

The Course is intended to introduce students to the relationship between religion and leadership in the Ghanaian/African society. The purpose is to help students have a good understanding of leadership forms as found in the three major religions in Ghana (i.e. Traditional, Christian and Islamic leadership forms); the sources of authority and legitimacy, gender issues in religious leadership and how these leadership forms have impacted each other. It is also to help students understand some of the challenges to religious leadership in Ghana and the impact of social change and modernity on traditional religious leadership in particular and to reflect on its future.

Credit Hours - 2

The course introduces students to the 16th Century religious revolution in the Church, the Reformation and Counter-reformation. It examines the socio-cultural and religious context which gave rise to the Reformation and Counter-reformation. Primary attention is given to the reform efforts of the various reformers (Desiderius Erasmus, Martin Luther, John Calvin) and the discussion of some important theological concerns: Salvation, Sin, Grace. The course concludes by examining the implications of the Reformation for contemporary African Christianity.

Credit Hours - 3

The turn of the twenty-first century has been accompanied by an alarming global increase in religiously motivated violence. Historically, religious ideas have been used to justify both war and peace, both violence and reconciliation. This course will examine the relationship between religion and violence in various historical contexts. Topics will include just war doctrine, crusades and holy wars; sacrificial rituals in traditional cultures; contemporary terrorist movements; and religious pacifism. 

Credit Hours - 3

The course introduces students to the theories and practice of biblical interpretation. It examines the socio-historical background, the context and perlocutory effect of selected New Testament books on the original readers. It guides students to the use of relevant tools for biblical exegesis and hermeneutics, to hermeneutical methods and approaches including historical-critical methods, rhetorical and narrative analysis, post-colonial and feminist approaches, etc. Special attention will be paid to the interpretation of New Testament texts in the contemporary Ghanaian context.

Credit Hours - 3

This course examines spiritual and religious phenomena from a psychological perspective.  In addition to its historical development, religion as pathological and as therapeutic will be discussed. This includes religious and conversion experiences, psychoactive substances, meditation, faith healing, religion and wellbeing, and dreams. Attention is also given to introspective, psychoanalytic, Jungian, behavioural, cognitive, social, humanistic, experimental, and transpersonal orientations. The course further employs a psychological approach to the understanding of religious life in African indigenous Religion, Judeo-Christian, and the Islamic faith traditions in Ghanaian society. The course also considers issues surrounding the role of religion and spirituality in health, coping and quality of life.

Credit Hours - 3

This course is an overview of the historical dimension of Islam in West Africa. It covers the history of its introduction as well as the different patterns of its spread throughout the current region which covers the geographical region of West Africa. The general discussion of the course will include the ways of the reception and adaptation of Islam in West Africa.  It will also discuss the Sufi brotherhoods as well as contemporary movements such as Salafi and the Shia movements.

Credit Hours - 3

The course introduces students to the Old Testament writings as a product of their historical, cultural and religious context. Topics to be studied include the History of formation, the Canon, the basic literary problems associated with the three division of the Hebrew Bible (TaNaK), the ancient Translations (LXX; Vulgata), the main theological themes and the relevance of OT in contemporary Africa Context.

Credit Hours - 3

The course introduces students to the study of Islamic ethics and morality. Topics to be discussed include: ethical theories in Islam; Qur’an and Sunna as sources of morality; structure of Islamic ethics; characteristics, concept of abd and khalifa; external and internal actions; moral education and enforcement of morality; cherished virtues and abhorred vices; a study of works by selected Muslim moral philosophers; and an examination of Islam’s response to selected contemporary ethical issues e.g., abortion, AIDS, usury, same-sex marriage, environmental degradation, surrogacy.

Credit Hours - 3

The course is a continuation of SREL 331 – New Testament Greek I. Topic include the third declension; the subjunctive verbal mood; the use of infinitive and subjunctive; conditional sentences and translation of epistolary and poetic texts. Furthermore, it helps students to familiarize themselves with the critical apparatus of the New Testament Textus Receptus, a tool for exegetical analysis.

Credit Hours - 3

The course introduces students to the history, fundamental elements, and basic vocabulary of the koinē Greek, the language of the New Testament writings. It explores essential issues of grammar and syntax to enable students to learn sufficient skills to translate narrative texts. Topics include the Greek alphabet, vowels, diphthong, breathings, syllabification, preposition, the first and second declensions and the indicative verbal mood.

Credit Hours - 3

African Indigenous Religions (AIRs) is one of the major religions on the African continent. The course will critically study existing sources, methods and approaches to the study of AIR, structure and characteristic features of AIR such as beliefs, rituals, the hereafter, religious leaders and functionaries, etc. Additionally, concepts of community, ethics, destiny as well as human relationship with nature/ecology will be studied.

Credit Hours - 3

The course introduces students to the study of Hadith as a primary source of Islam and its importance to Muslims. It discusses topics which include definition/meaning of Hadith; and structure of Hadith; Isnad and Matn; differences between Hadith and Sunnah; transmission of Hadith; Collection and classification of Hadith; six authentic collections of Hadith; Muwatta, Musnad of Ahmad bin Hanbal and An-Nawawi’s collection; Hadith criticism; Study of selected texts of Ahadith and the religious, cultural, and social importance of Hadith.

Credit Hours - 3

The Course introduces students to the place of Qur’an in Muslim cultures. It discusses the historical and cultural contexts of the Qur’an such as the Qur’an as a revealed text and guidance. It studies the meaning, other names, features, and language and style of the Qur’an. It further discusses the concept of revelation, the development of the Qur’an, its revelation, preservation, standardization and compilation into a single text. It examines the Major themes of Makkan and Madinan Suwar, Approaches to Qur’anic and exegesis, Modern interpretation of the Qur’an, Western scholarship and the Qur’an. Relevance and the importance of the Qur’an in the lives of Muslims.

Credit Hours - 3

This course is a survey of Oriental religious traditions in their diversities. It explores their origins and growth as well as their fundamental teachings and the variety of the forms they assume as they travel beyond their original homes and encounter new cultures. The course will introduce students to some of the main religious traditions of eastern origins including Confucianism and Shinto. However, its major focus will be on Hinduism and Buddhism, which have a relatively strong presence in Ghana.

Credit Hours - 3

This course introduces students to the biblical psalter as liturgical hymns and prayers of Israel. Topics include: the composition and authorship of the psalms; the type of psalms: praise, thanksgiving, Zion, lament, kingship etc.; the nature of the psalms; classification of the psalms that is individual and communal psalms; the psalms as liturgical hymns and prayers of Israel’s worship; the literary problems and the theology behind the psalms; the importance of the psalms for contemporary Christianity.

Credit Hours - 3

The course introduces students to the writings of apostle Paul as a foundation for further exegetical and theological studies. The course is divided into two parts. The first focuses on the personality of Paul: his inter-religious and inter-cultural world; his life as presented in the Acts of Apostles and in the Pauline literature; his missionary strategy and spirituality and the impact of his writing on the life of subsequent generations, including Christian communities in Ghana. The second part proposes a study of Paul’s theology through a reading of his undisputed letters: their background; rhetorical structure and main theological themes.

Credit Hours - 3

This course examines the historical, theological and social initiatives of indigenous people in Christian missions in Africa. The roles of various Church Groups and individuals in the establishment of the Church in Africa are discussed. Indigenous literary works, art, lived experiences, narratives and reflections are explored. The course examines the impact of indigenous initiatives on the lives of African Christians.

Credit Hours - 3

This course introduces students to the Pentecostal waves in Ghana and their relevance in the Christian landscape. It explores the emergence, development, spread, and characteristics of the various Pentecostal waves. It discusses their doctrines and spiritualties (prosperity preaching, prayer in tongues, deliverance services etc.) The course concludes by assessing the charismatic phenomenon against the Ghanaian socio-economic, political and religious landscape.

Credit Hours - 3

The course introduces students to the issues of definition of theology; tasks and sources of theology; and some methodological issues in theological interpretation. The course further surveys some main branches of theology such as dogmatic theology, systematic theology, biblical theology, theology proper, and contemporary theology. The course also introduces students to some contemporary concerns in theological engagements and to African theology – its tasks, sources, and types.

Credit Hours - 3

This is an introductory course in ethics, a branch of philosophy, which deals with the morality of human actions and how it provides a platform for the determination of human actions that are right from those that are wrong.  It also discusses in detail the general meaning of ethics, the analysis, and the study of various terms in relation to ethics such as morality, moral/non-moral, moral/amoral, moral/immoral. It will also examine the various ethical theories both classical and contemporary, as well as the main features and relationship among Christian Ethics, Islamic Ethics, and African Indigenous Ethics. As the course progresses, there will be a series of class discussions in relation to some contemporary moral and ethical teachings on abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, divorce, etc.     

Credit Hours - 3

Religion is perhaps one of the most widespread and familiar of human behaviours. For as long as humans have been recognizably human, they have been religious. Religious claims are of particular interest to philosophers because they raise so many important metaphysical issues. That is, religious claims often make assertions about the ultimate nature of reality, the existence of souls, an afterlife, and most importantly, the existence of a God or gods. Part of the reason people have such a strong interest in religion is because of the implications religious claims would have on our lives if they were true. We will consider some of the most influential and recent arguments that have been given for the existence of an all-powerful, all knowing, all good, personal, and singular God. We will consider different epistemological approaches to religious belief, arguments for and against the existence of God, the problem of evil, miracles, religion, and rationality, and so on.

Credit Hours - 3

The course introduces students to the academic study of religions.  The academic study of religions (Religious Studies) is a specific disciplinary area that studies religion as a science. It includes definitions, methods, especially the scientific/phenomenological approach, theories, and origins of Religion. It also examines dimensions and characteristics of religion, e.g., religious experience and its expressions, social, ethical, doctrinal, etc. dimensions of religion. Examples will be drawn from African/Ghanaian contexts, reflecting the pluralistic nature of religion.

Credit Hours - 3

This course introduces students to the study of Islam and its historical development in Arabia in the 6th Century. It examines the social, religious, economic, and political life of the Arabs and the reforms introduced by Islam within the Arabian culture in the 6th century. It discusses the life of the Prophet Mohammed, in Makka and Madina, the spread of Islam, Islamic Sacred Texts, beliefs and practices (Articles of Faith and Pillars of Islam). It will also analyse the beliefs and practices in social and cultural practices of Muslims, Islamic groups i.e. Sunnis, Shites, Ahmadiyya, Ahlus Sunna, Tijaniyya etc. Aspects of Islam in Ghana, Misconceptions about Islam e.g. jihad, women, Shariah etc.

Credit Hours - 3

This course is a survey of Christianity from its inception till the present time. From a historical perspective, it explores the origins, growth, and fundamental teachings of the faith as well as the variety of forms it has assumed over the years. The course also introduces students to some of the modern ecumenical expressions of global Christianity and how it seeks to maintain its unity in cultural diversity, especially in Africa.