Department of Religion Postgraduate Programme

POSTGRADUATE ACADEMIC PROGRAMME

IN RELIGION AND HUMAN RELATIONS

The Department of Religion and Human Relations offers postgraduate programmes leading to Masters of Arts (M.A) and Ph. D degrees in Religion and Human Relations.

Philosophy

The philosophy of the M.A. and Ph.D. programmes is to train and develop scholars who will be concerned with the critical study of the African religious and cultural life in all its diversity. Emphasis is placed on those religious traditions which have the greatest importance in the history of Africa (African traditional religious traditions, Christianity and Islam) with their ethical demands. The emerging scholars will develop the ability to understand, analyze and critically interpret the nature of religious reality as well as the mutual interplay of religious features with other elements in the broader social and cultural context.

Objectives

The objectives of the programme are:

To educate the students to understand the religious phenomena for what they are – “human experience sui generis” and be able to relate them to experiences in other areas of human life.
To deepen the students’ critical and analytical understanding of the religious traditions of the world with special reference to the African context.

To encourage an in-depth study of specific areas within the discipline with a view to a specialized research.

To produce graduates familiar with the methodological and theoretical developments in the (relative) fields of Religion who will be able to apply their knowledge to their environment and also make their own contribution to universal scholarship.
To produce specialists who will be able to teach different aspects of Religion and Human Relations in Universities and Institutes of Higher Learning.
To help students to develop independent thought and critical judgement and tolerance in the field of Religion with a view to greater understanding and harmonious living in society.

To deepen the candidates’ critical and analytical understanding of Religious and Cultural Traditions of mankind with special reference to the African context.
To encourage an in-depth study of specific areas within the subject with a view to pursue specialized research.

To produce graduates familiar with the methodological and theoretical developments in the relevant fields of Religion and Cultural Studies who will be able to apply their knowledge to their environment and also make their own contribution to universal scholarship.
To promote the students’ careers in teaching, administration, the law courts and the foreign services.
To give the students thorough grounding in major areas of Christianity and Islam as well as the cultures and institutions of Christians and Muslims.

Admission Requirements
a) A. Programme

All candidates must possess the minimum of five Ordinary Level Credit Passes which must include English Language and any four of the Arts and Social Science subjects.

Candidates must possess a good Bachelors degree in Religion and its variants (e.g. Religious Studies, Religious and Cultural Studies, Religious management and Cultural Studies, Islamic or Christian Religious Studies, Theology, etc.), not lower than a Second Class Lower division, from a recognized university.

All candidates shall be subjected to a selection process.

b) D. Programme

Candidate must possess a good Master’s degree in Religion or its variants from a recognized university, with a CGPA not below 3.5 on a five-point scale. Candidates who did not make up to 3.5 will be required to register for the M.Phil/Ph.D programme. Such candidates must present two seminars and a research proposal for grading and must score a minimum CGPA of 3.5 before proceeding to the Ph.D, otherwise the M.Phil Degree should be awarded upon the submission of a thesis. This thesis should be examined following the procedure of a Ph.D. thesis.

Duration of Programmes

M.A.

a) The full-time M.A. programme would run a minimum of three semesters, and a maximum of four
b) The part-time M.A. programmes would run for six semesters and a maximum of eight semesters.

Ph.D.

The full-timeD. programme would run for a minimum of six semesters, and maximum of eight semesters.
The part-timeD. programme would run for eight semesters and a maximum of too semesters.

Overstay Students

Candidates who fail to graduate at the expiration of the mandatory duration may be allowed to apply for an extension. The application to the SPGS Board for possible extension and completion shall be made through the Department and Faculty. A case can be made by the Board to the Senate for the completion of the programmes.

Areas of Specialisation: M.A. and Ph.D.
African Traditional Religion
Biblical Studies: Old and New Testaments
Church History
Islamic Studies
Religious Ethics and Philosophy
Sociology and Religion
Philosophy of Religion
Comparative Religion
Ethics and Philosophy
Interaction of Religion
Islamic History, Thought and Institutions
Islamic Law and Jurispredence
Qur’anic and Hadith Sciences
Islamic Religious Movements and Modern Development/New Religious Movements

Requirements for Graduation

M.A. Programme

i) To be awarded the M.A. degree a student must have taken and passed the prescribed number of compulsory and required courses selected from the approved list, and totalling 30 units as follows:

Core Courses 24 units

Thesis/Dissertation 6 units

Total 30 units

ii) In all cases, M.A. students must write and submit to the department a thesis/dissertation duly supervised by a lecturer in the department whose qualifications are not below the Ph.D. Such a thesis must be defended before an external examiner nominated by the department and appointed by Senate for that purpose.

Ph.D. Programme

To graduate, all Ph.D. candidates must take and pass all the requisite courses as prescribed in the Ph.D. course list below totalling 27 units as follows:

Core Courses 18 units

Dissertation/Thesis 9 units

Total 27 units

Every Ph.D. candidate must submit a Dissertation on a chosen and approved topic, supervised by a member of staff whose qualification is not below the Ph.D. and who is not lower than Senior Lecturer in rank.

The Ph.D. thesis must be defended before an external examiner duly nominated for that purpose and appointed by Senate.

Domain of the Programmes

The M.A. and Ph.D. Programmes shall be domiciled in the Department, and in Faculties of Arts or Humanities of recognized universities.

Academic Regulations

Good Standing: To be in good standing, a student must in each semester have a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of not less than 3.0 on a five-point scale.

Withdrawal

An M.A. candidate whose CGPA is below 3.0 at the end of the third semester of course work shall be required to withdraw from the university.

Attendance

In order to be eligible for examination in a particular taught course, a student shall have attended a minimum of 75% of the total periods of formal instructions delivered for the course.

Course Evaluation

In the M.A. and Ph.D. programmes, the assessment of students’ achievements would be based on:

Terminal examinations administered at the end of the course;
Term papers, Seminar Papers,

Field Research/Reports, Group projects, etc.

Continuous Assessment

All continuous assessment scores shall constitute between 30 40% of the total scores for a course, while the formal examination shall constitute 60-70% of the total scores for a course.

External Examination System

For the M.A. and Ph.D. programmes there shall be duly appointed external examiners who would assess and certify the overall performance of the students in their dissertation and thesis and any other aspects of the evaluation process that may from time to time be approved by Senate.

Examinations, Grading Procedure and Results

In addition to continuous assessment, final examinations shall be given at the end of a course. The total scores for continuous assessment shall not be less than 30%, and not be more than 40% of total scores for a course.

Pass Mark

The minimum pass mark for M.A. and Ph.D. courses shall be 50%.

Grading System

Grading of courses shall be done by a combination of percentage marks and letter grades translated into a graduated system of Grade Point Equivalent (or Grade Point Average GPA). For the purpose of determining a student’s standing at the end of every semester, the Grade Point Average (GPA) system shall be used. The GPA is computed by dividing the total number of credit points (or units) by the total number of units for all the courses taken in the semester. The credit points for a course is computed by multiplying the number of units for the course by the Grade Point Equivalent of the marks scored in the course. Each course shall be graded out of a maximum of 100 marks and assigned appropriate Grade point Equivalent as in the table (i) below:

Table 1:

(i) Credit Units	(ii) % Score	(iii) Letter Grades	(iv) Grade Points (GP)	(v) Grade Point Average	(vi) Cum. Grade Point Average (CGPA)	(vii) Class of Degree
Vary according to contact hours assigned to each course per week per semester, and according to load carried by students	70– 100	A	5	Derived by multiplying (i) and (iv) and dividing by Total Credit units	4.50– 5.00	Distinction
	60 – 69	B	4		3.45– 4.49	Credit
	50 – 59	C	3		3.0– 3.44	Pass
	Below 50	F	0		Below 3.0	Fail

Presentation of Results

Results for the M.A. and Ph.D. examination shall be presented from the Postgraduate Schools Board of Examiners to the Senate for approval.

Degree Classification

The determination of the class of degree shall be based on the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) earned at the end of the programme, as indicated in the table (2) below:

Table 2:

S/N	CGPA	CLASS OF DEGREE
i	4.50 – 5.00	Distinction
Ii	3.45 – 4.49	Credit
iii	3.00 – 3.44	Pass
iv	Below 3.00	Fail

Learning Outcomes for the M.A. and Ph.D. Programmes

1) Comprehensive knowledge of area of specialization: This embodies an understanding of the historical and the theoretical foundations of the areas of specialization.

2) Problem solving capabilities: Graduates should be able to demonstrate problem-solving capacity through critical, innovative and creative approaches to analyzing problems.

3) Global perspective: Graduates should have a global perspective through understanding of both domestic and global environments.

4) Communication competency: Graduates should be able to manage information, social responsibility, cultural and gender sensitivity and conflict resolution.

5) Graduates produced should be research experts, university teachers of their areas and competent scholars.

Examination Regulation for M.A. and Ph.D. Programmes
1. For M.A. Programme, there shall be an examination for each course at the end of each semester. The courses examined shall not be less than fifteen (15) credits per semester. The passing grade in a Course shall be “D”. The Thesis shall be examined by an External Examiner in an oral defence with the HOD as the Chairman, the Dean, School of Post-Graduate Studies in attendance with the other members as approved by the PG Guidelines. A secretary shall take down the minutes during the period of the Defence.
2. For Ph. D programme, the examination requirement for the award of the degree shall include the following: Successful passing of written examination in the four courses approved for the programme (and the passing grade for all Ph. D examinations shall be “C”); Presenting one successful PG Seminar to the Departmental Post-Graduate Board; Submission of a Dissertation and its acceptance by the Departmental Post-Graduate Board; Oral defence of such dissertation before the External Examiner with the Dean, School of Post-Graduate Studies or his Representative with other members as approved in the PG Guidelines (see p.21).

All candidates for the M.A. and Ph. D Degrees are required to do their writings according to approved format for writing both M.A. Thesis and Ph.D. dissertation in the Department of Religion and Human Relations (See your Supervisor or the office for the copies).

Available Courses

Students will have the opportunity to specialize in any of the major areas of Religion and Human Relations relevant to the Nigerian context namely:

Old Testament Studies
New Testament Studies

History of Christianity in Africa

African Traditional Religion
Religion and Society
Systematic Theology

Comparative Religious Studies
Islam in Africa

Employment Opportunities

The successful graduates in Religion and Human Relations are well equipped for careers in Tertiary Institutions, Research Institutions, Governments as well as Corporate Agencies and Parastatatals. They are moreover, well prepared for their clerical and pastoral duties. They are also equipped to be self-employed or open their own private businesses or consultancy services.

Additional Information

Ph. D candidates may be required to register and audit any of the M. A. courses on the recommendation and approval of their supervisors. In addition, they have to do their appropriate seminars and write their Dissertations.

Stress Areas
Research Methodology and Seminars – 0
Old Testament Studies – 1

New Testament Studies – 2

History of Christianity in Africa – 3
African Traditional Religion – 4
Religion and Society – 5

Systematic Theology – 6
Thesis or Dissertation – 7

M. A. PROGRAMME
A. COMPULSORY GENERAL COURSES

Course Code Course Title Units

1^st Sem. 2^nd Sem.

RHR 601 Principles and Methods of Research

In Religion/Theology 3

RHR 602 Master’s Research Seminar 3

RHR 671 Master’s Thesis 12 Total 3 15

A. SPECIALIZATIONS

Candidates are advised to register at least 30 Credits or 10 courses relevant to the various specializations as listed below:

OLD TESTAMENT STUDIES

Course Code Course Title Credits

1^st Sem. 2^nd Sem.

RHR 611 Old Testament and Human

Relations in Recent Study 3

RHR 612 Biblical Hebrew Prose I 3

RHR 613 Biblical Hebrew Prose II 3

RHR 614 Documents from Old Testament

Background and Human Relations 3

RHR 615 Biblical Hebrew Poetry 3

RHR 616 Old Testament Theology 3

RHR 617 Literature of the Old Testament 3

RHR 618 African Old Testament Scholarship

and Human Relations 3

Total 12 12

NEW TESTAMENT STUDIES

Course Code Course Title Credits

1^st Sem. 2^nd Sem.

RHR 621 Exegetical Study of a Gospel Text:

John or Any Other 3

RHR 622 Exegetical Study of a Pauline Letter:

Romans, Corinthians, Galatians or

Any Other 3

RHR 623 Exegetical Study of a Pastoral Letter

or Letter to the Hebrews 3

RHR 624 Exegetical Study of Acts of the

Apostles 3

RHR 625 Critical Problems and Methods

in the New Testament 3

RHR 626 The Parables of Jesus in Contemporary

African Setting 3

RHR 627 Gospel Miracles and Faith Healing

Today 3

RHR 628 The Pauline Missionary Programme 3

Total 12 12

HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN AFRICA

Course Code Course Title Credits

1^st Sem. 2^nd Sem.

RHR 631 African Church Historiography 3

RHR 632 The Early Christianity in North

Africa 3

RHR 633 Themes on the Missionary Enterprise

and the African Response-West Africa 3

RHR 634 Themes on the Missionary Enterprise

and the African Response-East and North

Africa or Central and Southern Africa 3

RHR 635 Reconstructing Local Christian History

in Nigeria 3

RHR 636 African Christianity Theology and the

Growth of Christianity in Igboland 3

RHR 637 History and Growth of African

Christianity 3

RHR 638 Themes in African Comtemporary

Church History 3

Total 12 12

AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION

Course Code Course Title Credits

1^st Sem. 2^nd Sem.

RHR 641 A Critical Study of Approaches

to the Study of African Traditional

Religion and Human Relations 3

RHR 642 Phenomenological Study of African

Traditional Religion 3

RHR 643 Symbols, Rites and Rituals in African

Traditional Religion and Human

Relations 3

RHR 644 Healing in African Traditional Religion 3

RHR 645 Religious Leadership in African

Traditional Religion 3

RHR 646 Impact of Change in African

Traditional Religion 3

RHR 647 African Traditional Religious Ideas 3

RHR 648 African Traditional Religious Shrines and Deities 3

Total 12 12

RELIGION AND SOCIETY

Course Code Course Title Credits

1^st Sem. 2^nd Sem.

RHR 651 Basic Elements in Religion and Society 3

RHR 652 Changes in Religion and Society 3

RHR 653 Ethics and Values in Society I 3

RHR 654 Ethics and Values in Society II 3

RHR 655 Problems of Man and His Society 3

RHR 656 The Institutionalization of Religion 3

RHR 657 Religious Interpretation of Social

Institutions 3

RHR 658 Religious Conflicts 3

Total 12 12

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY

Course Code Course Title Credits

1^st Sem. 2^nd Sem RHR 661 Methods, Theories and Orientations in

Theology 3

RHR 662 African Theologies 3

RHR 663 Problems of Christian Theology 3

RHR 664 Fundamentals of Christian Ethics 3

RHR 665 Pastoral Theology 3

RHR 666 Contemporary Orientations

in Christian Ethics 3

RHR 667 The Problems of God Today 3

RHR 668 The Problem of Christian Inner Life 3

Total 12 12

VII COMPARATIVE RELIGIOUS STUDIES

Course Code Course Title Credits

1^st Sem. 2^nd Sem RHR 681 Themes in Comparative Religion I 3

RHR 682 Themes in Comparative Religion II 3

RHR 683 Themes in Comparative Religion III 3

RHR 684 The Essence Of Comparative Religion 3

RHR 685 Relations among People of Living

Faiths 3

RHR 686 Christian Encounter with Non-Christian

Religions in Nigeria 3

RHR 687 Advance Research Methods in

Comparative Religion 3

RHR 688 Trends in Methodology of Religious

Studies 3

Total 12 12

D PROGRAMME

Ph. D COMPULSORY GENERAL COURSES

Course Code Course Title Credits

RHR 701 Ph.D. Seminar 3

RHR 771 Ph.D. Dissertation 12 Total 15

Ph.D. SPECIALIZATIONS

OLD TESTAMENT STUDIES

Course Code Course Title Credits

1^st Sem. 2^nd Sem RHR 711 Old Testament Authorship And

Inspiration 3

RHR 712 Old Testament Hermeneutics And

Human Relations 3

RHR 713 Old Testament Religious Institutions 3

RHR 714 Old Testament Pseudoepigrapha,

Apocrypha and the Dead Sea Scrolls 3

Total 6 6

NEW TESTAMENT STUDIES

Course Code Course Title Credits

1^st Sem. 2^nd Sem

RHR 721 The Quest for Historical Jesus 3

RHR 722 Theology and Ethics of the

New Testament 3

RHR 723 The Resurrection 3

RHR 724 Women in New Testament Tradition

and the African Understanding 3

Total 6 6

HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN AFRICA

Course Code Course Title Credits

1^st Sem. 2^nd Sem.

RHR 731 Humanity and the Society 3

RHR 732 The Dynamics of the Rise and

Growth of Christianity in Africa 3

RHR 733 Pentecostalism in Africa 3

RHR 734 History and Heroes 3

Total 6 6

AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION

Course Code Course Title Credits

1^st Sem. 2^nd Sem.

RHR 741 Advanced Studies on Principles and

Methods of Research in Religion and

Human Relations 3

RHR 742 African Traditional Religious World

View and the Quest for African

Authenticity 3

RHR 743 Globalization and African Traditional

Religion 3

RHR 744 African Traditional Religious

Renaisance 3 Total 6 6

RELIGION AND SOCIETY

Course Code Course Title Credits

1^st Sem. 2^nd Sem.

RHR 751 Human Rights and Dignity 3

RHR 752 Justice in Society 3

RHR 753 War and Peace in the Modern World 3

RHR 754 Christian Ethics, Ecology, Medicine

and Genetics 3

Total 6 6

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY

Course Code Course Title Credits

1^st Sem. 2^nd Sem.

RHR 761 A Theology of Human Existence 3

RHR 762 Christian Existence 3

RHR 763 Systematic Christology 3

RHR 764 Christian/Human Destiny

The Kingdom of God 3

Total 6 6

VII. COMPARATIVE RELIGIOUS STUDIES

Course Code Course Title Credits

1^st Sem. 2^nd Sem.

RHR 781 The Need for Continue Research

in Comparative Religion 3

RHR 782 Basic Elements in Comparative

Religion 3

RHR 783 Selective Challenges in Comparative

Religion 3

RHR 784 Religion and Healing in African and

Afro-American Cults 3

Total 6 6