KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY, KUMASI
DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES
STUDENT HANDBOOK
2014-2019
A Brief Historical Background of the
Department of Religious Studies
It is often said that for any University to be real it must rest on three
disciplines: Theology (or Divinity); Medicine and Law. Historically
the three disciplines have together been referred to as the learned
professions. The theologian for example, imparts knowledge from the
pulpit, the medical doctor imparts knowledge by saving people’s lives
and the lawyer displays knowledge in the courts of law.
In 2002/2003 Academic year the late Professor Kwesi Andam became
the Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and
Technology. In Professor Andam’s estimation therefore KNUST at the
time was not a real University because it then had only a Medical
School in addition to Arts, Sciences and Engineering but no Theology
or Divinity. Professor Andam by this vision went on to mute the idea
of starting an Executive Masters in Mission and Management to equip
Church Administrators with management skills. Unfortunately this
initiative collapsed for three reasons:
• The fees charged for the programme were too high
• The inclusion of the word “Executive” in the programme
made the church skeptical about it products
• Churches and individuals could not afford the high fees
A committee set up later to review the proramme suggested an
alternative programme. Comprising Rev. Dr. Kofi Effa Ababio as chairman
and Mgr John Opoku Agemang and… the committee proposed the
establishment of a Department of Religious Studies to distinguish it
for the Department for the Study of Religion in University of Ghana
and the Department of Religion and Human Values of the University of
Cape Coast. The committee felt Theology and Divinity were narrow and
could not adequately address the challenges facing society today. Come
August 2005 and the first batch of Twenty-three (23) students were
admitted to commence their four year Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Religious
Studies programme.
Headed from 2006 to 2008 by Prof. Emmanual Asante the Department
grew so rapidly that in two years (August 2008) a Master of Philosophy
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BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
(M. Phil) programme was started with eleven (11) students. With an
initial academic staff of just three full-time and one part-time in 2006
the Department now has twelve full-time and six part-time lecturers,
made up of one Associate professor, seven Senior Lecturers and young
doctors.
The Department’s well organised and well attended 1st National Religion
and Science Conference held in 2008 was an epoch breaking feat. This
was followed in 2012 by yet another successful conference on Religion
and Politics. In 2013 the Department went further to host the West
African Association of Theological Institution’s (WAATI) 40th Anniversary
Celebrations and Conference for over 80 scholars drawn from Nigeria,
Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Kenya and the USA.
Today, 2014 the total student population for the Department stands as
226, excluding the Postgraduate students. The breakdown is as follows:
Year I72
Year II42
Year III29
Year IV36
Year V15
Year VI and beyond
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The sky can only be the limit for this Department.
We appreciate the contributions of all the pioneers of this initiative and
doff our hats to you.
Nathan Iddrisu Samwini (PhD)
Senior Lecturer/Head of Department
KNUST
May 2014
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
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1.0 Entry Requirements for BA Religious Studies
1.1 WASSCE/ SSSCE APPLICANTS
Credits in THREE core subjects (English Language, Mathematics and
Integrated Science), plus credits in THREE (3) Elective Subjects, including
Religious Studies and any TWO (2) General Arts Elective.
1.2 ‘A’ Level APPLICANTS
Applicants must have FIVE (5) credits at ‘O’ Level, including English
Language and Mathematics, plus a minimum of THREE (3) ‘A’ Level passes
including Religious Studies and any TWO (2) of the following: History,
English Literature, French, Economics, Governments and Geography.
1.3 MATURE APPLICANTS
Applicants should be at least 25 years at the time of submitting the
Application with. The evidence of age should be supported by the
submission of a valid Birth Certificate.
EITHER
FIVE (5) Credits at the ‘O’ Level, including English Language and
Mathematics
OR
WASSCE/SSSCE Credits in THREE Core Subjects (English Language,
Mathematics and Integrated Science), plus THREE (3) Elective Subjects
including Religious Studies and any TWO (2) General Arts Electives.
1.4 DIPLOMA HOLDERS
Applicants who possess Diploma or Higher National Diploma in Religious
Studies/Theology with a minimum Grade of “B+” from an accredited
University/Theological Seminary will be admitted into the second year
of the programme subject to passing an entrance examination and
interview.
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BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
2.0 Aims and Objectives
2.1 Aims
The programme aims at exposing students to the religio-cultural
dimensions of human development focusing attention on how norms
of behaviour are derived and applied. The programme seeks to develop
a systematic approach to religious and moral thinking and aims at
introducing the major world religions and African Indigenous Religions
to students so as to foster in them a balance of thought and tolerance in
respect of religious pluralism of the world and Ghana in particular. The
department of Religious Studies further aims at enabling students to
critically examine the interface of religion and science in a purely science
and technology University.
2.2 Objective
The Department of Religious Studies aims primarily to equip students
with requisite skills to identify problems of society and recommendations
to address them. Students will further be challenged to understand
the correlation between Religion, Science and the Environment which
correlation has become a serious global issue.
The programme will provide the environment for academic excellence,
flexible enough to fit the needs of those interested in pursuing further
research degrees. It will also prepare students for carriers in such fields
as community service (in both religious and circular organisations)
personnel work, education, establish businesses of their own and
honesty and hard work become successful entrepreneurs and
employers, all this for the better of society.
3.0 Justification
The Religious Studies programme is in tune with scholarly concern for
academic freedom. From this standpoint, it can be argued that the course
is relevant to KNUST’s aspiration to be at the cutting edge of intellectual
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
5
development in the country. Religious activities are often of paramount
importance to the life of individuals and society. Hence both the sacred
and secular aspects of life should be the concern of individuals if they
are to attain total development. Each person comprises both physical
and spiritual aspects. These two aspects should be equally developed.
The study of Religion will give students tools to understand and attain
this objective.
The moral, ethical and philosophical questions raised by religion are
good materials for the social scientist. At the same time, study of these
questions which are considered the “light and salt” of society will impact
on the human resource base of the country as a whole. We live in a
pluralistic world with diverse beliefs so we need intellectual response to
the widespread phenomenology of religious diversity. The programme
enables students to assess the claims of the various religious traditions.
The assessment will involve critical scrutiny of the claims of established
religion as postulated by believers, agnostics and atheists. More
specifically, students will be called upon to examine belief in a “personal
living and spiritual God as creator” as held by the various religions. As
scholars get to understand these religions and their beliefs, they become
more tolerant of diverse views. Such understanding and tolerance make
for peaceful co-existence. Much of the religious conflicts- the fuel for
many wars- would be eliminated through the mutual understanding
that the study of religion engenders. The course will give opportunities
for exploring the difference between science and religion. Students
are better placed in our scientific environment to come to grips with
the “sacred” in beliefs, rites and religious experience of all people and
cultures through the scientific method.
The Religious Studies programme helps in rebranding the KNUST, which
is well known for its science and technology education, as an institution
ready to investigate all fields of knowledge. This becomes apparent in
the light of the fact that science entails unlimited inquiry and doing so
with religions can lead students to appreciate the complexity of the
whole system of existence. It lies in the domain of academia to study
the universe and the orderly power that people believe is behind them.
This way, we can formulate mature conceptions of religion, its creeds,
doctrines, doctrines and rites based on tools of investigation by social
scientists.
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BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
Religion is expressed through language and literature. The course
therefore affords students the opportunity to expand their linguistic
literary repertoire. In addition, they will be exposed to History,
Philosophy, Sociology and Psychology as the study.
4.0 Career Opportunities
University education in recent times have given students broad based
knowledge beyond limited fields of study or specialization As a result
Graduates of the Department compete favourably with graduates
of all Arts and Humanities, and even in some cases physical sciences.
For example, informal tracer studies have shown that graduates of the
Department find themselves in various sectors of Ghana workforce
including:
• Ghana Education Service as tutors of both the Senior and
Junior high Schools
• The Media (both print and electronic)
• Ministry of Health
• Human Resource Managers in Non-Governmental
Organisations (NGOs)
• Banks and other Financial Institutions
• Communication networks like Vodafone, MTN and Tigo
• Others go on to study law, administration and other
disciplines
• Churches and Church related organizations and Islamic
organisations and institutions
• Politics
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
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5.0 Regulations for the Conduct of
Undergraduate Degree Programmes
5.1 Credit hour for programmes
i. The total number of credit hours required by a student to
qualify for a diploma or degree shall be determined by the
College/Faculty/Department within the following ranges:
Programme
Minimum Maximum
Diploma degrees 90 126
Undergraduate degrees
120 168
5.2 Registration
i. Every student must be admitted into a College/Faculty/
Department for a Programme of study and must be properly
registered for courses during the official registration period
at the beginning of each semester. The student shall plan
his/her course in consultation with his/her academic tutor.
ii. First year students who trail more than four courses at the
end of the semester or year shall be withdrawn from the
programme
iii.Continuing students who trail between one (1) and six (6)
1st, 2nd and/or 3rd year courses at the end of the second
semester Examination shall be required to:
a. First register the outstanding trailed course(s) for the
appropriate semester.
b. Then register additional current course(s) to make up the
required maximum credits for the semester and defer the
rest of the courses.
iv.Students shall report on the day that the University reopens and register within the normal period as would be
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BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
determined by the University. It shall be permissible for
those who are unable to register within the said period to
undergo late registration with a penalty though.
v. A fine to be determined by the University shall be imposed
for late registration. Formal registration ends on the last
day of the period of late registration.
vi.a. A student who is unable to register with the formal
registration period on grounds of ill-health, shall on
provision of a Medical Report issued or endorsed by
the Director of University Health Services, be allowed to
register within seven days from the day of the closure of
formal registration.
b. In the event of the inability of such a student to register
within the seven days stipulated in paragraph ‘a’ above,
he/she will be allowed a deferment for a semester. In a
situation where the first semester courses are prerequisite
for the second semester courses, the deferment shall be for
the whole academic year (i.e. two semesters).
vii. a. There shall be no registration by proxy.
b. A student who does not duly register within the registration
period shall be precluded from commencing the semester’s
programme of courses.
viii. a. Registration for the appropriate courses shall qualify
a student to write an examination. Where a student
registers for a course, but fails to write the examination,
the student shall be deemed to have failed the course
unless reasons acceptable to the Faculty Examiners Board,
can be advanced, in this case the student shall be graded
incomplete (I) and be expected to take part in the next
available formal examination.
b. Students shall be permitted to change their courses only
during the registration period.
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
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c. In order to qualify as a full-time student, the student shall
take courses equivalent to the following range of credit
hours, both limits inclusive, per semester. This will be
prescribed by the Department with approval of the College
and Academic Boards.
Undergraduate 15 – 21
Diploma 15 – 21
Certificate 15 – 21
c. A student shall attend all lectures, seminars, workshop
sessions and practicals prescribed for the courses for which
he/she has registered as a pre-condition for writing an
examination.
1.3 Change of Programme of Study
Students who wish to change their programmes of study after the first
year shall apply to the Deputy Registrar (Academic) for the requisite
application forms. All such applications will have to be finally approved
by the Vice-Chancellor.
1.3.1 Deferment of Programme
i. A student could interrupt his/her programme for whatever
reason for a maximum period of one year, but he/she must
be granted permission by his/her Dean through his/her
Head of Department. Such request for interruption of the
programme will normally be granted within the first four (4)
weeks of the start of the semester.
ii. Where the interruption is for one semester, the student shall
be required to satisfy the requirement for that semester
before he/she proceeds to the next semester.
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BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
iii.A first year student shall have completed the requirements
for his/her first year studies before exercising the right to
defer his/her programme.
iv.However, a first year student may be granted permission
to defer his/her programme on medical grounds on the
recommendation of the Director of the University Health
Service.
1.3.2Duration of Studies
i. A student shall be enrolled as a full-time student for the
minimum period allowed for the progrmme of study.
A student may be allowed the following maximum number
of semesters beyond the prescribed period to complete
the requirements for the award of the certificate/degree for
which he/she is studying.
Prescribed Duration of Number of
programme
Extra Semesters Allowed
4 -year or above
4
3-year4
2 -year
2
1-year 2
A student who fails to qualify after exhausting the maximum
number of extra Semesters allowed will be withdrawn.
6.0 Grading of Examination
i. There shall be formal University Examinations in
Programmes of study at the end of each semester. The
examination in each course shall not be less than two
(2) hours duration. In addition, there shall be a system of
continuous assessment based on any or a combination
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
11
of the following: mid-semester examination, class tests,
essays, tutorials assignments etc.
ii. The End-of-Semester examination shall be weighted 70%
and continuous assessment 30% of the total marks of the
course.
iii.Examination in all courses shall be credited by marks and
later graded as follows:
70 – 100 -
A
Excellent
60 – 69 -
B
Very Good
50 – 59
-
C
Good
40 – 49 -
D
Pass
0 – 39
-
F
Fail
I/I*Incomplete
Exam Malpractice
6.1 Pass Mark
The pass mark for any course shall be 40%. However, a Cumulative
Weighted Average (CWA) mark of 45% shall be required at the end of
each year. Where a student does not maintain the above Minimum
Cumulative Weighted Average of 45% the student shall be put on
probation.
A final year student who passes in all courses but does not achieve the
required CWA mark of 45% shall be permitted to use his grace period
to improve his CWA in order to qualify for the award of the certificate/
degree for which he is studying.
6.2 Trail, Supplementary Examinations, Probation,
Repetition, Withdrawal And Grace Period
Trail – A student trails a course when he/she fails (F) to obtain a pass
mark or is graded incomplete (I) has deferred (Df) a course.
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BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
i. Fail – A student fails a course when he/she obtains a
mark less than 40% or fails to write an examination after
registration without any tangible reason.
ii. Incomplete (I or I*)
a. A student is graded incomplete (I) for a course when he/she
is unable to write an examination on grounds of ill-health
and the medical report is acceptable, provided he/she has
registered for the course.
b. A student is graded incomplete (I*) for a reason(s) other
than 10A (ii) above which is acceptable to the Academic
Board.
iii.Deferred – A Deferred (Df) course is an unregistered course
which is neither Fail (F) nor incomplete (I) and for which the
student is/was required to register.
A.
Supplementary Examinations
i. Supplementary Examinations will be conducted during the
1st and 2nd Week of the First Semester. A student wishing
to clear a course or courses he/she has failed could take
advantage of Supplementary examinations to do so.
ii. Registration of the trailed courses would be opened from
the 8th Week after the Second Semester examination.
The following category of students shall qualify to write the
supplementary examinations.
i. a student who fails any course
ii. a student who is unable to write the semester examination
on grounds of ill health, and the medical report is acceptable,
provided he/she has registered for the course or courses,
attended lectures, tutorials, practicals and presents other
assignments required of the course.
iii.Students shall be required to register formally and pay
for the course or courses they wish to write after the
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
13
Examination Results have been released at any rate, not
later than two weeks prior to the date of the examination.
iv.First year students who trail a total of more than four
(4) courses at the end of the second semester shall be
withdrawn. Such students shall not be permitted to take
part in the supplementary examinations.
v. First year student who trails up to four (4) courses will
have the opportunity to write during the supplementary
examination. After supplementary, First Year student who
trails more than two (2) courses will be withdrawn.
vi.Second, Third and Fourth year students who trail more
than two (2) courses at the end of the supplementary
examination shall be withdrawn.
vii.
A student who fails to write the Supplementary
Examinations after registration without any tangible
reason shall be deemed to have failed the course and shall
be graded zero in the computation of the CWA.
viii.Students who fail to make use of Supplementary
Examinations may register the failed Courses and attend
lectures, and write the next available normal examination.
7.0 Probation
A student shall be considered to be on probation in any of the following
situations:
a. 1st, 2nd and 3rd year students on obtaining a CWA of 40.00
to 44.99 at the end of the second semester examination.
A student on probation is required to improve his/her
performance and be in a good academic standing within
two semesters, failing which he/she shall repeat the year.
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BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
8.0 Repetition
A student shall be required to repeat the year/semester in any of the
following situations:
i. 2nd and 3rd year students on obtaining a CWA of less than 40 at the end of second semester examinations
ii. . The student must take the cluster of courses in that year
again. The credits obtained for the failed year shall be
cancelled.
iii.A student on trailing all registered courses as fail (F) in a
semester in the case of Departments that offer up to six
courses per semester
iv. A student on trailing more than six courses as incomplete (I)
at the end of first semester examination of a total or more
than six courses as incomplete (I) at the end of second
semester examination.
v. A student who must be put on Probation for the second
successive time. The student must take the cluster of
courses in that year again. The credits obtained for the
failed year shall be cancelled.
vi.A student on deferring his/her programme for one
semester.
vii.A student (fee-paying/non-fee paying) whose performance
is such that he/she has to be withdrawn but offers to pay
the full University fees to repeat the failed year. The credits
obtained for the failed year shall be cancelled.
9.0 Withdrawal
A student shall be withdrawn from the programme in any of the
following situations:
i. A 1st year student upon trailing more than four courses at
the end of the First semester examination or a total of more
than four courses at the end of the second examination.
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
15
ii. A 1st year student on obtaining a CWA of less than 40 at the
end of the second semester examination.
iii. A 2nd or 3rd year student who performance is such that he/
she has to repeat for the second time in the programme
iv. A repeated student failing to obtain a CWA of 40 or above
v.Any student upon absenting himself/herself from all
courses for a semester examination without permission
shall be deemed to have abandoned the programme.
10.0 Grace Period
It is a maximum period of four semesters, immediately after the second
semester examination, granted to final year students to correct their
deficiencies in the following situations:
i. A final year student who at the end of the second semester
examination still trails any course(s).
ii. A final year student whose performance is such that he/she
has to be put on probation for the second successive time.
iii.A final year student whose CWA is below 45 and has to
take any course(s) to make up the grade for the award of a
degree.
11.0 Marking Scheme
The work of all candidates will be based on detailed knowledge of the
area of study, creativity, originality and the use of primary resources. The
General marking scheme adopted for essays/theses would be as follows:
• Analytical Thinking15%
• Originality and Creativity
15%
• Use of Primary Sources
20%
• Knowledge of the Field
40%
• Flow of Thought and English
5%
• Proper Writing Style and Bibliography 5%
Total100%
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BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
12.0 Attendance at Lectures
Candidates are expected to be regular and punctual in class. To be
absent, permission must be sought from the Head of Department and
the lecturer for that particular course for which permission is being
sought. Candidates who miss more than three lectures in a particular
course (with or without permission), will be considered as not having
taken the course.
13.0 Special College/Faculty Requirements
In addition to the general University Examination Regulations, students
are expected to satisfy all Special College/Faculty requirements
approved by the Academic Board.
14.0 Requirements for Graduation
14.1 In order to graduate, a student is required to:
a. have completed the prescribed number of credit hours
in each category of course modules specified for his/her
programme of study.
b. have achieved the minimum average mark:
Undergraduate
Diploma
-
45%
-
45%
c. have satisfied any other requirements of the Department,
Faculty and College Boards
14.2 The class of degree for undergraduate programmes only shall be
determined by the following Cumulative Weighted Averages:
First Class
-
70 or above
Second Class (Upper Division) -
60-69.99
Second Class (Lower Division) -
50-59.99
Pass -45-49.99
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
17
14.3
The class for Diploma/certificate award shall be determined by
the following Cumulative Weighted Averages:
Distinction
-
70 or above
Pass -45-69.99
15.0 Remarking of Examination Script
Students have a fundamental right to query how their scripts are
marked if they feel very strongly that their results do not reflect their
efforts. A student who requests for remarking shall follow the following
procedures:
i. He/she shall address the request for re-marking to the ViceChancellor through the Head of Department, the Dean and
the Provost.
ii. He/she shall pay a fee to be determined by the University.
However, the fee will be refunded to the student if he/she
is vindicated; a student is deemed to have been vindicated
where his/her new mark resulting from the re-marking
raises his/her grade.
iii.The request for re-marking shall be made within one month
after the approval of the results by the Academic Board.
16.0 Examiners’ Board
Examiners’ Board shall be composed according to regulations laid down
by the University and they shall meet after very semester to consider the
examination results and make appropriate recommendations. They shall
also meet at the end of the year to review the performance of students
during the academic year and make appropriate recommendations.
They shall meet three (3) weeks after the end of examinations.
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BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
17.0 Moderators And External Examiners
17.1 Appointment
External Examiners and Moderators shall be appointed by the Academic
Board upon recommendation by College/Faculty Boards.
Moderators shall not normally hold office for more than three consecutive
years, and there shall not normally be more than one moderator for
each degree programme.
17.2 Duties Of Moderators
i. Moderators shall be requested to advice on course structure
and syllabuses relating to their field.
ii. They shall be requested to review all draft examination
papers which have been commented upon by the External
Examiners and thereafter submit their recommendations
to the Faculties.
iii.The moderator in each academic programme shall visit
the Department/Faculty once in every three years upon
request by the College/Faculty Boards to assess the overall
standard of the programme. These visits shall be approved
by the Academic Board.
17.3 Duties of External Examiners
i. External Examiners shall among other things, review
examination questions, model answers and marking
schemes, and in some cases mark scripts.
ii. They may be present for the conduct of oral examinations
iii.They shall be requested to comment on the conduct of
examinations. Such comments shall be sent to the ViceChancellor with copies to Department, Faculty and College
Boards for their consideration.
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
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PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
YEAR ONE SEMESTER ONE
COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE
T
P
C
RS 151
Introduction to African Traditional Religion
3
1
3
RS 153
Introduction to Christianity
3
1
3
RS 155
Introduction to Islam
3
1
3
MATH 153
Statistical Methods I
2
1
2
ENGL 157
Communication Skills I
2
1
2
CSM 183
Introduction to Computers I
2
1
2
Credits from 2nd Programme
6
3
6
Total
21
9
21
YEAR ONE SEMESTER TWO
COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE
T
P
C
RS 152
Introduction to Philosophy of Religion
3
1
3
RS 154
Introduction to the Study of Religions
3
1
3
RS 156
Introduction to Eastern Religions
3
1
3
MATH 154
Statistical Methods II
2
1
2
ENGL 158
Communication Skills II
2
1
2
CSM 184
20
Introduction to Computers II
2
1
2
Credits from 2nd Programme
6
3
6
Total
21
9
21
Total Credits for Year One
42
18
42
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
YEAR TWO SEMESTER ONE
COURSE CODE
COURSE TITLE
T
P
C
RS 251
Introduction to Psychology of Religion
3
1
3
RS 253
History of the Early Church
3
1
3
RS 255
Introduction to Sociology of Religion
3
1
3
ENGL 263
Literature in English I
1
1
1
Credits from 2 Programme
6
3
6
Total
16
7
16
nd
YEAR TWO SEMESTER TWO
COURSE
CODE
COURSE TITLE
T
P
C
RS 252
Issues in Religion and African Worldview
3
1
3
RS 254
Introduction to Ethical Theories and Religious
Ethical Systems
3
1
3
RS 256
Introduction to African Myths and Symbols
3
1
3
ENGL 264
Literature in English II
1
1
1
Credits from 2nd Programme
6
3
6
Total
16
7
16
Total Credits for Year Two
32
14 32
YEAR THREE SEMESTER ONE (CHRISTIAN OPTION)
COURSE CODE
COURSE TITLE
T
P
C
RS 351
Research Methods
3
1
3
RS 353
Introduction to the Old Testament
3
1
3
RS 355
Introduction to the New Testament
3
1
3
General Studies
Students to choose a course outside
the faculty (Borrowed Course)
2
1
2
CORE COURSES
ELECTIVES: Select TWO Electives From below
RS 357
Hebrew I
3
1
3
RS 359
New Testament Greek I
3
1
3
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
21
RS 361
Introduction to Christian Theology
3
1
3
RS 363
Pentecostalism in Ghana
3
1
3
RS 365
Medieval Church History
3
1
3
RS 367
The Gospels
3
1
3
RS 369
Prophecy in the Old Testament
3
1
3
RS 371
Introduction to African Philosophy
3
1
3
RS 393
Christianity & Development
3
1
3
Total
17
6
17
(ISLAMIC OPTION)
COURSE CODE
COURSE TITLE
T
P
C
Research Methods
3
1
3
CORE COURSES
RS 351
RS 373
Qur’anic Studies
3
1
3
RS 375
Introduction to Islamic Theology
3
1
3
General Studies
Students to choose a course outside 2
the faculty (Borrowed Course)
1
2
ELECTIVES: Select TWO Electives From below
RS 377
Arabic I
3
1
3
RS 379
Modern Trends in Islam
3
1
3
RS 381
Articles Of Faith in Islam
3
1
3
RS 383
The Practice of Islam
3
1
3
RS 371
Introduction to African Philosophy
3
1
3
Total
17
6
17
(AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION OPTION)
COURSE CODE
COURSE TITLE
T
P
C
RS 351
Research Methods
3
1
3
RS 385
Introduction to African Theology
3
1
3
RS 371
Introduction to African Philosophy
3
1
3
CORE COURSES
22
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
General Studies
Students to choose a course outside
the faculty (Borrowed Course)
2
1
2
ELECTIVES: Select TWO Electives From below
RS 391
African Traditional Priesthood
3
1
3
RS 387
African Supernatural Beliefs and
Practices
3
1
3
RS 389
African Traditional Religion and
Contemporary Social Issues
3
1
3
RS 395
Culture & Development
3
1
3
RS 397
African Traditional Religion and
Widowhood
3
1
3
Total
17
6
17
YEAR THREE SEMESTER TWO (CHRISTIAN OPTION)
COURSE CODE
COURSE TITLE
T
P
C
RS 352
Critical Thinking
3
1
3
RS 354
Theology of the Old Testament OR
3
1
3
RS 356
Theology of the New Testament
3
1
3
General Studies
Students to choose a course outside the
faculty (Borrowed Course)
2
1
2
CORE COURSES
ELECTIVES: Select TWO Electives From below
RS 358
Christian Ethics
3
1
3
RS 360
Hebrew II OR
3
1
3
RS 362
New Testament Greek II
3
1
3
RS 364
Wisdom Literature
3
1
3
RS 366
Acts of the Apostles
3
1
3
RS 368
History of the Reformation and Counter
Reformation
3
1
3
RS 370
Contemporary Ghanaian Christianity
3
1
3
RS 372
Medicine, Healing and Spirituality
3
1
3
Total
17
6
17
Total Credit for Year Three
34
12
34
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
23
(ISLAMIC OPTION)- SEMESTER TWO
COURSE CODE
COURSE TITLE
T
P
C
CORE COURSES
RS 352
Critical Thinking
3
1
3
RS 374
The Caliphate
3
1
3
RS 376
Islamic Ethics
3
1
3
General Studies
Students to choose a course
outside the faculty (Borrowed
2
Course)
1
2
ELECTIVES: Select TWO Electives From below
RS 378
Shari’a
3
1
3
RS 380
Arabic II
3
1
3
RS 382
Arabic Text
3
1
3
RS 384
Islam and Ecumenism
3
1
3
RS 386
Islam, Medicine and Healing
3
1
3
Total
17
6
17
Total Credit for Year Three
34
12
34
(AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION OPTION)- SEMESTER TWO
COURSE CODE
COURSE TITLE
T
P
C
CORE COURSES
RS 352
Critical Thinking
3
1
3
RS 388
African Traditional Ethics
3
1
3
RS 390
African Traditional Religion and Development
3
1
3
General
Studies
Students to choose a course outside the
faculty (Borrowed Course)
2
1
2
ELECTIVES: Select TWO Electives From below
RS 392
African Traditional Patterns of Learning
3
1
3
RS 394
African Traditional Religion, Medicine and
Healing
3
1
3
RS 396
24
African Traditional Religion and Earth Keeping 3
1
3
Total
17
6
17
Total Credit for Year Three
34
12
34
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
YEAR FOUR SEMESTER ONE (CHRISTIAN OPTION)
COURSE CODE
COURSE TITLE
T
P
C
CORE COURSES
RS 451
Comparative Study of Religions
3
1
3
RS 455
Religion and Science
3
1
3
RS 465
Old Testament Apocalyptic
3
1
3
3
1
3
3
1
3
ELECTIVES: Select Three Electives From below
RS 457
Hebrew III
OR
RS 459
New Testament Greek III
RS 453
Religion and Human Rights
3
1
3
RS 461
History of the Church in West Africa
3
1
3
RS 463
The Old Testament and African Life
and Thought
3
1
3
RS 467
The Epistles
3
1
3
Total
18
6
18
(ISLAMIC OPTION) SEMESTER ONE
COURSE CODE
COURSE TITLE
T
P
C
RS 451
Comparative Study of Religion
3
1
3
RS 455
Religion and Science
3
1
3
RS 469
Islam in West Africa
3
1
3
CORE COURSES
ELECTIVES: Select Three Electives From below
RS 453
Religion and Human Rights
3
1
3
RS 471
Topics in Islamic Studies
3
1
3
RS 473
Islam and African Culture
3
1
3
RS 475
Islamic History and Civilisation
3
1
3
RS 477
Hadith Studies
3
1
3
Total
18
6
18
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
25
(AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION OPTION)
COURSE CODE
COURSE TITLE
T
P
C
RS 451
Comparative Study of Religions
3
1
3
RS 455
Religion and Science
3
1
3
RS 481
Traditional Religion and Social Controls
3
1
3
Religion, Morality and Leadership
3
1
3
RS 483
African Wisdom and Virtue Ethics
3
1
3
RS 485
Religion and Traditional Ghanaian Social 3
Institutions
1
3
CORE COURSES
ELECTIVES: Select Three Electives From below
RS 479
RS 487
Religion and Bioethics
3
1
3
Total
18
6
18
YEAR FOUR SEMESTER TWO (CHRISTIAN OPTION)
COURSE CODE
COURSE TITLE
T
P
C
New Religious Movement
3
1
3
CORE COURSES
RS 452
RS 454
Professional Ethics
3
1
3
RS 490
Long Essay
6
1
6
3
1
3
ELECTIVES: Select Three Electives From below
RS 456
Religion and Gender
RS 458
Religion and Environment
3
1
3
RS 460
New Testament Apocalyptic Literature
3
1
3
RS 462
Biblical Hermeneutics
3
1
3
RS 464
Comparative Ethics
3
1
3
RS 466
Religion and Media in Ghana
3
1
3
RS 468
Christianity and African Culture
3
1
3
RS 470
Christian Spirituality
3
1
3
RS 472
Issues in Religion and Science
3
1
3
RS 484
Christology
3
1
3
Total
21
6
21
26
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
(ISLAMIC OPTION)- SEMESTER TWO
COURSE CODE
COURSE TITLE
T
P
C
RS 452
New Religious Movement
3
1
3
RS 454
Professional Ethics
3
1
3
RS 490
Long Essay
6
1
6
CORE COURSES
ELECTIVES: Select Three Electives From below
RS 456
Religion and Gender
3
1
3
RS 458
Religion and Environment
3
1
3
RS 464
Comparative Ethics
3
1
3
RS 466
Religion and Media in Ghana
3
1
3
RS 472
Issues in Religion and Science
3
1
3
RS 474
Islamic Spirituality
3
1
3
RS 476
Islam in Ghana
3
1
3
RS 486
History of Christian-Muslim Relations
3
1
3
Total
21
6
21
Total Credit for Year Four
39
6
39
(AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION OPTION)- SEMESTER TWO
COURSE CODE
COURSE TITLE
T
P
C
RS 452
New Religious Movement
3
1
3
RS 454
Professional Ethics
3
1
3
RS 490
Long Essay
6
1
6
CORE COURSES
ELECTIVES: Select Three Electives From below
RS 456
Religion and Gender
3
1
3
RS 458
Religion and Environment
3
1
3
RS 464
Comparative Ethics
3
1
3
RS 466
Religion and Media in Ghana
3
1
3
RS 468
Christianity and African Culture
3
1
3
RS 472
Issues in Religion and Science
3
1
3
RS 478
African Spirituality
3
1
3
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
27
RS 480
Contemporary Moral and
African Ethical Issues
3
1
3
RS 482
The Revelation of God in African 3
Traditional Religion
1
3
Total
21
6
21
Total Credit for Year Four
39
6
39
28
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS FOR
UNDERGRADUATE RELIGIOUS STUDIES.
YEAR ONE
RS 151 Introduction to African Traditional Religion
It deals basically with the definition and structure of African Religion;
Beliefs in God, divinities, spirits and ancestors, (types and nature of
spirits and how they affect African societies); Initiation Rites (birth,
puberty, marriage and family, death and after death); rituals and
festivals; religious objects and places; Religious leaders and significance
of religion.
RS 152 Introduction to Philosophy of Religion
This course introduces students to the philosophical study of religion
and exposes them to some of the issues involved in the discipline. It
covers the definition and scope of religion; The different concepts or
God; Arguments for the existence of God (Cosmological, Teleological
Axiological Ontological and Moral arguments); Arguments against
the existence of God (The Universe, Creation Argument, The Infinity
Argument, The Infinity Regress Arguments, The Omni benevolence
Argument); Faith and Reason (Strong Rationalism, Fideism, Critical
Rationalism); The problem of evil; Religion as the opium of the people
by Karl Marx; Religion as Philosophy by G.W.F Hegel, and Life after
death.
RS 153 Introduction to Christianity
This course examines the nature of Christianity and Christian selfunderstanding in its multifaceted world context. An orientation to the
framework of Christian history, the thematic exploration of a range of
Christian beliefs: God, Christ, Holy Spirit, The Church and its Practices.
The collection and compilation of the Old and New Testaments,
a survey of the contents of the Old and New Testaments Major
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
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theological discourses within the Catholic and Protestants traditions,
e.g. Sacraments.
RS 154 Introduction to the Study of Religions
The meaning of Religion to the student of Religious Studies, normative
and descriptive definitions of religion, discussions of the definitions of
religion by Sigmund Freud, Karl Marx. Bertrand Russell, Emile Durkheim
and their limitations. Theories on the origins of Religion: Classification
of theories under Psychological and Sociological Theories - Animism,
Ghost Theory, Magic and other theories. What religions have in common
and the importance of religion in the life of an individual and society.
Familiarity with the religions of the Indo-China sub-region: Hinduism,
Buddhism, Confucianism among others.
RS 155 Introduction to Islam
The course examines the social, religious, political and economic life
of jahiliyya (Arabia before Islam); the birth and early life of the prophet
Muhammad; his call and his ministries in Mecca and Medina; various
aspects of the religion; faith and practice in Islam; revelation and
compilation of the Qur’an.
RS 156Introduction to Eastern Religions
This course surveys major religious traditions of the East such as
Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Shintoism, Taosim, Baha`i
Zoroastrianism, and Eckankar. The holy texts, common elements that
define the diverse religions, the beliefs about the Supreme Being and
the deities from a historical perspective with specific attention to the
relationship between religious beliefs and practices, death and life after
death and comparative theology.
30
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
THE UNDERLISTED COURSES ARE MANDATORY
FOR ALL FIRST YEAR STUDENTS OF THE
FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
MATH 153 Statistical Methods I (2, 1, 2)
Introduction: Nature and Users of Statistics; some Basic Concepts of
Statistics, Data Collection: types and Sources of Data, Data Collection
Methods and Questionnaire Design, Descriptive Analysis of Data:
Organization and Presentation of Data; Measures of Central Tendency
and Dispersion, Quartiles, Percentiles, Skewness and Kurtosis.
MATHS 154 Statistical Methods II (2, 1, 2)
Some Special Probability distributions: Binomial, Poisson, Geometric
Multinomial, Hyper geometric, Normal and Exponential distribution.
Inferential Analysis of Data: Sampling Methods; Sample Distribution
of the Means and Proportion, Standard Errors; The use and reading of
Normal (Z). T-F and Chi-Squard, Distribution Tables in Inferential Analysis,
Point and Interval estimation of Parameters- Proportions, Standards
Errors; the use and Reading and Interval Estimation of ParametersMeans and proportions.
ENGL 157 Communication Skills I (2, 1, 2)
Students will be assisted to review some of the common problem
areas of their writing, such as verb/tense system, concord, sentence
construction and paragraph organization. There shall also be a study
of basic grammatical structures that shall involve teaching students to
write formally correct sentence errors, and using punctuation affectively.
ENGL 158 Communication Skills II (2, 1, 2)
This course is designed to continue the process of helping students
to become better writers. The first part of the course will focus on
writing skills -paragraphs, and the essays. Students shall also study the
preparation of technical documents such as memos, reports, letters and
proposals.
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
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CSM183 Introduction to Computers I (2, 1, 2)
What is computer? Classification of computer. Hardware-Memory,
Central Processing Unit. Input /Output Devices, Software-System,
Applications, Utility, translators, Programming language and others.
Disk Operating Systems (DOS) and Windows as Operating Systems.
Word Processing Software: Microsoft Word.
CSM 184 Introduction to Computer II (2, 1, 2)
Spreadsheet Software: Microsoft Excel; Relational Database Software:
Microsoft ACCES.
32
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
YEAR TWO
RS 251 Introduction to Psychology of Religion
The course introduces students to the study of Psychology of Religion:
its meaning and scope. It examines the contribution of some leading
psychologists: James Fowler, Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Aiton Boison
and William Albright: their perception of religion as pathological and
curative. Stress, illness/sickness, loneliness, death and dying, religion
and personal values, the religious individual and society, the meaning
of life, the place of prayer, the individual, and society.
RS 252 Issues in Religion and African Worldview
The course is designed to highlight on the essential elements of African
philosophy and to help students to appreciate critically the views
and thoughts of the African: critical studies of the thinking patterns,
language content, mental images, emotions, beliefs and responses
in situations of the African. The cosmotheandric nature of man that is,
how the African understands and relates to the world (cosmological
perspective), to God (theological perspective) and to humans
(anthropological perspective). It deals exclusively with traditional
philosophical concepts and practices in African Traditional societies
before the encounter with Christianity and Islam. The course will throw
light on the religious beliefs and practices, folktales, symbols, proverbs
and cultural institutions.
RS 253 History of the Early Church
The course introduces the student to the thought and life of the
Early Christian Church from its beginnings and spread to the period
of the Council of Chalcedon: The social, cultural, intellectual, and
religious environment in which Christianity arose and developed.
The persecutions from Nero to Diocletian; The consequences of the
persecutions on the Church, the work of the Apologists and outstanding
teachers of the Early Church – Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian
and Origen and the Great Cappadocians. It discusses the imperial
Church under the reign of Emperor Constantine. The study also looks at
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
33
the Christological controversies and the first four Ecumenical Councils –
Nicaea to Chalcedon.
RS 254 Introduction to Ethical Theories and Religious Ethical Systems
This course deals with the nature of Ethical inquiry. It covers the
Philosophical definition of ethics; ethical concepts; utilitarianism,
hedonism, stoicism, Epicureanism, ethical relativism, consequentialism,
Islamic, Christian and Buddhist ethical systems, Applied ethical systems
(Bioethics, Business ethics and environmental ethics).
RS 255 Introduction to Sociology of Religion
This course exposes students to the relationship between sociological
studies and religious thought. Areas of concern include: Definition of
general sociology and sociology of religion, dimensions of religion as
a phenomenon, classical sociologists and their theories on religion;
religion in contemporary sociology and cultural analysis, religion and
social change, social unity and conflict, religion and social structure,
religion and gender issues.
RS 256 Introduction to African Myths and Symbols
An enquiry into theories of myths, the universality of myths and
symbols. The complexity of the nature of myths, symbols, African
music and proverbs: their pertinence in the life of the African; selected
African myths with emphasis on cross-cultural comparison of myths and
symbols.
34
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
THE UNDERLISTED ARE MANDATORY UNIVERSITY
COURSES FOR ALL SECOND YEAR STUDENTS
ENGL 263 Literature In English I (Poetry And Drama) (1,1,1)
This is a basic course in Literature, introducing all university students to
opportunities to enjoy and to love the world of books in English and
in our various Ghanaian languages. Special consideration will be given
to language as the primary vehicle of literature. Old classics as well as
significant contemporary works by living authors will be studied.
ENGL 264 Literature In English II (Fiction) (1,1,1)
This course has as its main components the study of folktales, short
stories and the novel. African and western texts representatives of this
genre shall be used to illustrate the language, themes and the literary
devices employed for these different types of fictional expressions.
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
35
YEAR THREE
RS 351 Research Methods (Core for all)
Differentiating between Harvard and Chicago research methodologies;
Library research: reading and choosing the right books, Manuals,
dictionaries and Encyclopaedia, Reading methods, Jotting down notes,
or ideas, formulation or composition of ideas; Referencing: Direct
quotations, paraphrasing, footnotes or reference notes, importance of
reference notes, Bibliography: How to compose it: Chronologically, by
authors, alphabetically, or thematically, etc.
Attention is paid to the following points:
• Parts of the work, chapters, importance of each chapter,
• Link or thought passing through all the chapters to show
their connectivity
• The value of the Introductory and the Concluding chapters
• Font size ;
• Line spacing;
• Margins;
• Titles of books and Journals
• Pagination
RS 352 Critical Thinking (Core for all)
The course will critically examine the forms of formal reasoning:
deductive logic, categorical logic, truth-functional logic, inductive
arguments, inductive generalization, analogical arguments, causal
arguments, fallacies, rhetoric and clear writing.
36
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
RS 353 Introduction to the Old Testament (Core, Christian Option)
This course seeks to help students obtain a background towards
understanding the political life and geography of the Bible lands,
the literature, the Old Testament canon, history of the text, origins of
individual books, the contributions of archaeology and Biblical criticism
to Old Testament studies.
RS 354 Theology of the Old Testament (Core, Christian Option)
The course examines the key theological themes of the Old Testament;
God, Creation, Covenant, Sacrifice, Theocracy and Death. Selected
ethical concepts of the Hebrew Bible; the Decalogue: the Leading
concepts of the prophets in relations to social, political, economic and
religious tensions. The relation between theological reflection and
theology are also studied.
RS 355 Introduction to the New Testament
(Core, Christian Option)
A general introduction which would include: the New Testament, its
historical setting – the inter testamental period and its main religious
developments; the Literary world of the New Testament; the Canon
and Text of the New Testament. Attention will be given to the religious
movements in the New Testament era: the Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes,
Essenes, Zealots.
RS 356 Theology of the New Testament (Core, Christian Option)
This course examines the history and methodology of New Testament
Theology; and the major theological themes of the New Testament: God,
Man, Jesus Christ, Salvation, the Holy Spirit, the Church, the Christian
Life, Death, Afterlife and Judgment..
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
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RS 357 Hebrew I
The course is designed to introduce the student to Biblical Hebrew. The
basics of Hebrew orthography (alphabets, vowels, syllabification and
pronunciation), basic grammatical elements-nouns and strong verbs.
RS 358 Christian Ethics
This course deals with the sources and characteristics of Christian ethical
teaching. Areas to be considered include: Definition of Ethics, sources
of Christian Ethics, religion and morality, stewardship, sex and marriage,
honesty, conscience, love, justice, integrity, civility, the role of Holy
Spirit in moral life, ethical issues raised by Church Councils and some
theologians, and contemporary ethical and moral issues in Ghana.
RS 359 New Testament Greek I
This is an introduction to the elements of Koiné Greek: the Greek
Language; morphology (the study of the forms of words) - the alphabet and
pronunciation; punctuation and syllabification; the Greek verb system; the
Greek noun system; the definite article.
RS 360 Hebrew II
Reading and translating biblical narrative texts, translate simple
sentences from English to Hebrew, translate simple sentences from
Hebrew to English, analyse nouns, adjectives, pronouns and verbs (Qal
stem). (Prerequisite Hebrew I)
RS 361 Introduction to Christian Theology
The meaning of theology and its historical development. Theology
of Revelation (Scriptural, historical and theological perspective). Faith
and Reason, Culture and Tradition. Various approaches or methods,
principles of theology (Karl Rahner, Johannes Baptist Metz, Paul Tillich),
and importance of theology of inculturation with special reference to
the Ghanaian context.
38
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
RS 362 New Testament Greek II
The course is a continuation of the study of the morphology of the Greek
New Testament. Attention will be given to the, syntax and sentence
structure of the Greek New Testament; translation of selected texts from
the Greek New Testament to English and English to Greek. (Prerequisite:
New Testament Greek I).
RS 363 Pentecostalism in Ghana
The course is designed to introduce the student to the Pentecostal
phenomenon in Ghana. Issues to be examined include: definition of
Pentecostalism, socio-cultural factors that gave rise to Pentecostalism,
Pentecostalism as a Spiritual Movement; doctrines, Pentecostalism
and denominationalism. Study of Pentecostal personalities like James
McKeown, P.D. Anim.
RS 364 Wisdom Literature
The Biblical world of Wisdom, The Wisdom Tradition, Theology of
the Wisdom books in Old Testament (Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes);
Principles of teaching and implications of the Wisdom Literature.
RS 365 Medieval Church History
This course investigates the history of Christianity from the and
breakup of the Roman Empire to the dawn of the Renaissance: The
Barbarian Invasions; Mission in Medieval period, Carolingian Empire,
Rome-Byzantium Islam and Western Christendom. The Schism within
the Catholic Church A.D. 1054, Non-Roman Catholicism: Christianity
in England; Monasticism and Papacy: The Crusades: The Rise of New
Monastic Orders and Early Scholasticism: The Quest for Reformation
(John Wycliffe, John Huss and William Savonarola), Renaissance and
Humanism.
RS 366 Acts of the Apostles
The course discusses the various viewpoints held on the Books of Acts
regarding its authorship, date, historical accuracy and purpose, the
conversion of Paul, the beginnings and development of the church.
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
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RS 367 The Gospels
The course deals with the fundamental issues involved in the
interpretation of the Gospels; the Synoptic Problem, Form Criticism,
Historical Criticism, the peculiarity of the Johannine Gospel; issues of
origin, place, authorship, date, audience and message of the individual
Gospels will be studied.
RS 368 History of the Reformation and Counter Reformation
The course covers the background of the Reformation. The causes
and course of the Reformation, the works and impact of Reformers:
Martin Luther, John Calvin and Ulrich Zwingli: Luther and the German
Reformation; The Reformation in and outside Switzerland. The Catholic
Counter Reformation: the Jesuits and the Council of Trent. King Henry
VIII and the English Reformation: The Renewal, Reform and the Reaction
against Protestantism. The Thirty Years War and the Peace of Westphalia
(1648).
RS 369 Prophecy in the Old Testament
The course covers the origin, development, traditions and distinctive
features of prophecy in Israel. It examines prophecy and the cults,
prophecy and socio-political life, prophecy and covenant, the prophet
and social justice and righteousness. Exegetical and theological studies
of selected Old Testament texts from the prophetic literature.
RS 370 Contemporary Ghanaian Christianity
The course primarily examines the nature of Christianity in West Africa
using the Ghanaian situation as a paradigm, its major characteristics and
public role. The major topics will include: Christian education, church
and politics, the media, healing and deliverance, youth, students, and
women groups and Ecumenical Associations.
RS 371 Introduction to African Philosophy
The course introduces students to African Philosophy transmitted
through the channels of wise-sayings, proverbs, mythology, beliefs,
customs and practices; what is the underlying philosophy of all these?
40
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
RS 372 Medicine, Healing and Spirituality
The course examines the definitions of healing, medicine and spirituality;
the importance of Spirituality in the perspective of allopathic medicine,
African Healing; Religion and Wellness; Body and mind; Ghanaian
concepts of illness and health; mainline, and Charismatic churches’
approach to healing; African cultural and religious influence on illness
and health; mental health and spirituality.
RS 373 Qur’anic Studies (Core, Islamic Option)
Revelation, compilation and standardisation of the Qur’an; The Qur’an
manuscript and Print; The Qur’an as Literature; the Mecca and Medinian
suwar, the form, language and style of the Qur’an; Understanding the
Text; Asbab al-nuzul; Interpreting the Qur’an; reading and studying the
Qur’an; Etiquette of the Qur’an
RS 374 The Caliphate (Core, Islamic Option)
The origins and concept of caliphate as a religio-political institution in
Islam. The period of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, the rise of the Umayyads,
the Abbasids, the Fatimids and the Ottomans. The administrative
structure of the various dynasties, the schism between Shi’a and Sunni
and the emergence of the khilafa movement.
RS 375 Introduction to Islamic theology (Core, Islamic Option)
The concept of God in Islam, Tawhid (Monotheism), and Shirk (Associating
Partners with God),The attributes of God and their Significance, The
Qur’an 2: 1-19 (on classification of people into Mu’min (Believer) Kafir
(Disbeliever) and Munafiq (Hypocrite), The Mu’tazilites and Ash’arites
views about God and his attributes, The Justice of God (Divine Justice),
Predestination and freewill.
RS 376 Islamic Ethics (Core, Islamic Option)
The course introduces students to the meaning and scope of Ethics in
Islam with focus on Amr bil Ma’aruf wan Nahyi anil Munkar (commanding
virtue and prohibiting vice). The role of the Qur’an and Hadith in the
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teaching of Islamic Ethics; ethical and moral issues such as love, justice,
charity, integrity, fornication and adultery, abortion, suicide, AIDS, usury,
food and drink as well as a critical assessment of vices and virtues. The
contribution of classical and modern Islamic scholars (Al-Ghazali and
Yusif Qardawi) to Islamic ethics.
RS 377 Arabic 1
The course intends to help students acquire basic reading skills in Arabic.
It will cover the huruf al hijaiyya (alphabets), combinations of letters,
vowels and diacritical signs, vocalization and phonetics and syntax: the
difference between nominal and verbal sentences.
RS 378 Shari’a
Definition of Shari’a, its sources and development, the nature and scope
of Shari’a. Islamic legal categories and conceptions, the development of
schools of the law. The application of Shari’a; Law of contract, Family
law: marriage, divorce, inheritance, penal law, commercial law, Shari’a
and the contemporary world. The course also examines the challenges
in the implementation of Shari’a by some African states.
RS 379 Modern Trends in Islam
Islamic response to contemporary issues: the place of women in Islam,
Islamophobia / Islamophelia, challenges of globalization, Islamic
fundamentalism/Terrorism, HIV and AIDS, Islam and Politics, Islam and
Human Rights with particular reference to Africa and Ghana.
RS 380 Arabic II
The course intends to build on the skills acquired in Qur’anic Arabic
I: in-depth study of syntax and basic Arabic Grammar, morphology
and etymology. Acquisition of more vocabulary (words and phrases);
authentic translations of the Qur’an: A comparison of classical and
modern selected works in modern and classical Arabic.
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RS 381 Articles of Faith in Islam
The course discusses Tawhid, (The oneness of God); the first article of
faith into detail. The belief in Angels, their characteristics and the divine
books: Attaur (Torah), Zabur (Psalms), Injil (Gospel). Belief in Prophets:
with brief study of the ULUL AZM (The Greatest among the Prophets),
the belief in life after death and Predestination.
RS 382 Arabic Text
The course exposes students to classical and contemporary writings in
Arabic. Selected texts from a wide range of published and unpublished
works will include poetry, prose and drama. Works of Ghanaian Muslim
scholars such as Umar of Salaga and Kete-Krachi will be critically
examined. As a requirement, students will practice translation of
selected text from Arabic to English and local Ghanaian languages.
RS 383 The Practice of Islam
The course covers major practices in Islam as discussed from the Qur’an,
Sunnah, classical fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) and contemporary works.
Focus shall be placed on tahara (Purification); salat (Worship); sawm
(Fasting); zakat (Charity) and hajj (Pilgrimage). Study of each shall involve
rationalization and significance or relevance.
RS 384 Islam and Ecumenism
Definition and beginnings of ecumenism. Ecumenism’s expansion to
include non-Christian religions. Intra-sectarian relations in Islam. Groups
which argue about beliefs, values, history or followers, right or wrong
practice: the Alhus Sunna wal-Jama`a, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission,
the Tijaniyya Muslim Brotherhood, The Shi’a. Islam and religious peace
and co-existence in Ghana. Relationships among Muslim groups in
Africa and attempts to forge Muslim unity in Ghana.
RS 385 Introduction to African Theology (Core, African Traditional Option)
The course treats the beginnings, history and development of African
theological thought. The evolution of theological methods; from
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implantation to adaptation, inculturation, incarnation, African liberation
theologies and their contextual theologies. Thematic approach; The life
and works of some pioneers of African theology.
RS 386 Islam, Medicine and Healing
The course examines Islamic concepts of illness and wellness.
Contributions of Muslims to medicine and healing. Differences and
similarities between Allopathic and Herbal Medicine, the Qur’an and
Hadith as sources of medicine and healing. The concept of holistic
healing, the magico-religious elements in illnesses and healing; usage
of ruqya, witchcraft, jinni possession and exorcism. A review of occult
sciences in Muslim healing: Istikhara (Divine Consultation), Um ul hisab
(Numerology), ilm ul raml (Astrology) and Um ul kaf (Palmistry).
RS 387 African Supernatural Beliefs and Practices
A brief study of the cosmological view of the African. Definition of terms:
sorcery, magic and witchcraft: their effects and influence on the life of
the African/Ghanaian. Witch hunting, witch meeting, witch doctors;
occultism. Case study of witch camps. Belief in sorcery, magic and
witchcraft today and the response of Christianity and Islam. The future
of sorcery, witchcraft and magic.
RS 388 African Traditional Ethics (Core, African Traditional Option)
This course discusses the foundations and sources of Ethics in African
Traditional Religion. Issues to be studied will include: Concept of good
and evil; Ethics in the life of the individual and the community; virtues
and vices; African Traditional Ethics: Religious and non-religious; African
Traditional Ethics today. The future of African Traditional Ethics.
RS 389 African Traditional Religion and
Contemporary Social Issues
The course unravels the major themes in African Indigenous Religion. The
belief systems in African religious thought; its response to contemporary
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socio-economic and political issues: homosexuality, witch camps, HIV
and AIDS. The role of African religious thought in the recent growth in
other missionary bodies in Ghana.
RS 390 African Traditional Religion and Development (Core, African Traditional Option)
Issues to be studied in this course include: salient features of Africa
Traditional Religion; Concept and characteristics of development; the
role of the Africa Traditional Religion in the development of Ghana.
RS 391 African Traditional Priesthood
The nature of traditional priesthood, types of Traditional Priests, Call and
Training; Installation and consecration, obligations and functions. Office
in the traditional society in contemporary Africa. Sources of power and
knowledge.
RS 392 African Traditional Patterns of Learning
The course is an examination of indigenous patterns of learning. Learning
patterns in traditional institutions such as the family, community and
chieftaincy; initiation rites; apprenticeship, rituals and festivals.
RS 393 Christianity and Development
The course exposes students to Western understanding of development;
Christian perspective on development; the promotion of material,
social, spiritual transformation of human life. Theories of development:
modernisation theory; development as transformation, people centred
development, alternative development and development as responsible
well-being. Contemporary Christian understanding of development in
Ghana.
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RS 394 African Traditional Religion, Medicine and Healing (Core, African Traditional Option)
This course examines the importance of traditional medicine and healing
as an alternative to Allopathic Medicine. The concept of traditional
medicine; medicine men; African concept of human personality; African
psychology; herbal medicine; inculturation of healing; cultural and
religious influence on health; witchcraft and traditional medicine and
healing ; traditional and orthodox healing.
RS 395Culture and Development
The course exposes students to notions of culture and development;
the material and phenomenal and ideationalorders of culture:
the guiding principles. Other topics to be studied include: culture and
environment; society and the individual; culture as heritage; dynamism
of culture; the role of culture in development.
RS 396 African Traditional Religions and Earth Keeping
The course is designed to highlight the essential elements of African
Philosophy and ethical principles towards the Earth. The nature of man
and how the African understands and relates to the Earth; traditional
philosophy that ensures harmony of life, biophysical resources
conservation and sustainable use of resources
RS 397African Traditional Religion and Widowhood
The course deals with some salient features of African Traditional
Religion: life, family, death, funeral and widowhood rites: cases from
Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya will be studied. The influence of Christianity
and Islam on widowhood rites. The future of widowhood rites in Africa/
Ghana.
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YEAR FOUR
RS 451 Comparative Study of Religions (Core for all)
A comparative study of selected religious concepts in world religions:
ultimate reality, man, sin, salvation, ritual, death, life after death,
relevance of course for Ghana today.
RS 452 New Religious Movements (Core for all)
The course is a study of the origins, typologies and developments of New
Religious Movements. It discusses the characteristics, teachings and
practices of the New Religious Movements such as the African Initiated
Churches, Neo-Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches and Ministries,
Afrikania Mission, Eckanker, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Rastafarianism, and the Baha’i Faith.
RS 453 Religion and Human Rights
The course is designed to bring to bear religious studies issues of human
rights and social concern. The course content includes: what are Human
Rights; The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Religious support for
Human Rights, religious opposition to Human Rights, sources of Islamic
Human Rights, controversies of Islam and Human Rights, Shari’a and the
Rights of non-Muslim; and Human Rights issues in Ghana.
RS 454 Professional Ethics (Core for all)
A brief general survey of some ethical theories and concepts in Professions:
consequential and non-consequential theories. Determination and
Classification of Professions; Professional enablement and exploitation;
Clients and Professionals: The rights, responsibilities and expectations of
clients (client confidentiality and autonomy), History and development
of Code of Ethics for Professionals: Discussion of selected professional
groups: Ghana Bar Association, Ghana Journalists Association, Ghana
Medical Association and Ghana National Association of Teachers.
The development of appropriate values and virtues for professional
relationships: Subordinates, Peers and Superiors.
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RS 455 Religion and Science (Core for all)
The course explores the relationship between religion and science. Are
Science and Religion two contrasting enterprises which have nothing to
do with each other? Methods of inquiry in both religion and science, the
contribution of religion to the rise of Science. Copernican theory, Galileo,
Mechanistic conception of nature, Newtonian worldview, Darwin’s
evolutionary theory and natural selection. African scholars: Kwame
Gyekye, Aboagye Menye. The contribution of Religion and Science to the
development of Ghana.
RS 456 Religion and Gender
Issues to be discussed include: The UN Charter on Human Rights; The 1992
Constitution of Ghana; Gender in Africa Traditional Religion; Gender in
Christianity; Gender in Islam; Women Emancipation and Empowerment
and the Role of the Religions on Gender today with particular Reference
to Africa/Ghana.
RS 457 Hebrew III (Advance Hebrew)
Parsing of nouns, adjectives, pronouns and verbs; Advanced instruction
in Hebrew syntax and application through reading selected portions
from various genres in the Hebrew Bible; integrating Hebrew reading
and syntax (Pre-requisite: Hebrew II)
RS 458 Religion and Environment
The course examines the role of religion in shaping human attitudes
towards the natural world. The Judeo-Christian, Islam and African
Traditional Religions’ attitude towards the environment: Creation,
the position of humankind in the world (Dominion mandate).
Human activities: mining, pollution, degradation, deforestation, and
poverty. Stewardship: reaforestation, aforestation, conservation, land
reclamation. Ecological ethics from the Christian, Islam and traditional
perspectives.
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RS 459 New Testament Greek III
This course focuses on the application of insights of New Testament
Greek morphology, syntax, and Bible translation theory, to translate,
interpret and do exegesis of selected New Testament texts. Attention
will also be given to the translation of selected texts from the Greek
New Testament, Septuagint, Didache, and Apostolic Fathers into English.
(Prerequisite: New Testament Greek II).
RS 460 New Testament Apocalyptic Literature
The course is a study of the scholarship and interpretations of the
New Testament Apocalyptic Literature. Topics to be treated include:
Definition and character of Apocalyptic; Identification of Apocalyptic
Texts in the New Testament; Development of Apocalyptic in the New
Testament; Foundational Principles for the interpretation of Apocalyptic
Texts: An Evaluation of Apocalyptic as a Communicative Revelatory
Vehicle.
RS 461 History of the Church in West Africa
This course is designed to examine the historical origins of the Church in
West Africa: the early Roman Catholic ventures, the Protestant missionary
efforts, the failures and legacies. The formation of missionary bodies
and the emergence of the Church in West Africa: (Church Missionary
Society, Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society, Basel Missionary
Society, Bremen Missionary Society, Roman Catholic Missionary
Society, Baptist and African Methodist Episcopal Zion; The mission
strategies, challenges, local responses and initiatives: The impact and
consequences of the Church in West Africa, Contemporary Church life
and organisation in West Africa.
RS 462 Biblical Hermeneutics
This course focuses on the development of a systematic approach to the
interpretation of Scripture; grammatical the historico-critical method,
exegetical method, principles of interpretation: scripture interprets
scripture, the theory and practice of Biblical hermeneutics.
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RS 463 The Old Testament and African Life and Thought
A study of attitudes to the Old Testament in the history of the church.
African Christian and the Old Testament. A comparative study of the
Old Testament and African Thought on themes such as life, death
and beyond, land, the individual and community, family and kinship
relations, marriage and divorce, housing, dresses and ornamentation.
RS 464 Comparative Ethics
A comparative study and analysis of selected themes in ethics: the
summum bonum and the ideals and moral standard, moral education,
enforcement of morals and moral reformation, moral decision making
process; virtues and vices; attitudes to some contemporary social
challenges such as human rights, abortion, homosexuality, drug
trafficking and addiction, war and violence, work and discipline with
special reference to Traditional African Religion (ATR), Christianity, and
Islam in the African context.
RS 465 Old Testament Apocalyptic (Core, Christian Option)
This course exposes students to the origin and development of Jewish
Apocalyptic Literature, its nature and central characteristics. Theology
and socio-religious relevance of Apocalypticism. The Book of Daniel
will be exegetically and theologically studied as a paradigm of Old
Testament Apocalyptic literature.
RS 466 Religion and Media in Ghana
The course examines the interplay between Religion and Media and its
impact on society: definition and scope of media; oral, print, audio visual
and ICT. The relevance of media to religion: Christianity, Islam, African
Traditional Religion (ATR) and the possible resources that religion offers
in media development.
RS 467 The Epistles
The course is a study of the historical and cultural backgrounds of the
Epistles. Emphasis will be laid on the classifications (Pauline, Catholic
and Pastoral Letters).
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RS 468 Christianity and African Culture
This course covers the interaction between Christianity and African
Culture; problems connected with specific African institutions and
practices such as: chieftaincy, ancestral beliefs, libation, rites of passage,
funeral rites, observance of taboos, polygamy. The mutual impact of
Christianity and African Culture. The problems of inculturation. A critical
study of the works of selected theologians: Kwame Bediako, John Mbiti,
Kwasi Sarpong, Amba Oduyoye.
RS 469 Islam in West Africa (Core, Islamic Option)
The spread of Islam from North Africa into the ancient empires of West
Africa; the Kunta, Takrur, Wolof, the Jahanke, Ghana, Mali, Soghai, the
Volta Basin and Hausaland. The influence of the Almoravid movement
on Islam in West Africa; the mode of spread of Islam; trade, The Quietist
spread and The Militant struggle. Islam in colonial West Africa, the
role of the Brotherhoods in the spread of Islam in West Africa, Islam in
contemporary West Africa.
RS 470 Christian Spirituality
This course studies what spirituality in general is. The focus will be
on Christian spirituality: Its history, nature, scope, theology, faith,
characteristics and types. Basic knowledge of Psychology and Spiritual
Direction.
RS 471Topics in Islamic Studies
The course covers a detailed study of selected topics and issues in
Islam: Islam and Society, Politics, The concept of Jihad, Islamic response
to feminism and gender issues, revelation and reason, application of
Islamic Law in modern societies and Islamic Banking.
RS 472 Issues in Religion and Science
The course presents some issues arising from the interplay of Religion
and Science. In-depth study of selected themes include challenges of
evolutionary theory, nature as dynamic process, religion and the cosmic
law of harmony, the Gaia hypothesis; challenges of anthropocentricism,
and modern scientific discoveries, theology, and mechanistic view
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of life. The views of John Cobb, Ian Barbour, Teihard de Chardin and
Alfred Whitehead on religion and science will be studied. Application
of science and religion for national development, science and religion in
traditional African setting, science and miracles.
RS 473 Islam and African Culture
The course looks at the interaction between Islam and African Culture,
the relationship between Islam and chieftaincy, marriage, language
and festivals. The issues of syncretism, the convergence and divergence
between Islam and particular societies within sub-Saharan Africa
(Dagbon, Hausa, Yoruba, Wala).
RS 474 Islamic Spirituality (Core, Islamic Option)
The origin, meaning and development of Islamic spirituality or Sufism
also referred to as Tasawwuf (Mysticism) and Irfan (Gnosticism),
innovation and independence, controversy, extremism and heresy. The
lives of selected Sufi personalities: Uwais Qarani, Hassan Basari, Rabiatu
Adawiyya, Mansur al Hallaj, Abdul Qadir, Jilani and Imam Ghazali. Study
of selected Sufi Orders: Qadiriyya, Tijaniyya and Naqshibandiyya. Sufi
literature: Ancient and Modern, from personalities such as Ibn Arabi, and
Al-Farabi.
RS 475 Islamic History and Civilisation
The course is designed to study the internal and external expansion
of Islam with focus on the dynasties established by the Umayyads,
Abbassids, Fatimids and Ottomans. Islam’s encounter with Greek and
Roman Civilizations and Christianity. Developments of Islamic religious
thought, intellectual, scientific and cultural self identify of Islam. The
contribution of classical Islamic scholars ( Ibn Sina, Ibn Rushd, Al Kindi
and Al-Ghazali) to the development and shaping of Islamic thought.
RS 476 Islam in Ghana
The advent of Islam in the pre-colonial kingdoms (Gonja, Dagbon,
Mamprugu, Wala, Asante, Accra and the coastal areas) of Ghana, the
development and emergence of different groups of Islam in Ghana:
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Tijaniyya, Ahlul-Sunnah wal Jama’ah, Ahmadiyya and Shia. Their
religious and social impact.
RS 477 Hadith Studies
The course traces the origin and development of Hadith: differences
between Hadith and Sunnah; aspects of Hadith: Isnad, Matn; collections
and classifications of Hadith (Sound, Good and Weak). The personalities
and styles of the six sound collections of Hadith. A study of selected
Hadith from An-Nawawi’s Collection of 40 Hadiths.
RS 478 African Spirituality
This course draws on some of the traditional forms of the African way of
life, discovers the God revealed in these traditional forms and how this
God-perception affects the way Africans live and express themselves.
Living in a changing world, attention will be given to the dynamic nature
of such traditional forms. Topics to be discussed include: Spirituality;
Traditional Forms of Spiritual Life; The Dynamic Nature of Traditional
Spiritual Forms: The Impact of Traditional Spiritual Life on African
Christians Today.
RS 479 Religion, Morality and Leadership
An examination of religion, morality and their impact on leadership.
Examines the moral foundations upon which societies are built; their
ideas of what is right and what is wrong, of what is expected of human
beings; what is disapproved and possibly prohibited and punished,
what moral leadership entails, the moral qualities expected of a leader;
the issues of integrity, humility, servant leader, accountability and
transparency and the need for moral leaders. Ethical reasoning and
variety of leadership situations.
RS 480 Contemporary Ethical and Moral Issues
An examination of the Nature of Ethical Inquiry, Fundamental Concepts,
Assessment of Strengths and Weaknesses of various Ethical Theories,
The multidisciplinary character of contemporary ethics, study of ethical
views and assumptions underpinning policy statements and human
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activity; Ethical foundation of Human Rights, Bioethics, Sexual Ethics,
etc.
RS 481 Traditional Religion and Social Controls (Core, African Traditional Option)
This course examines traditional beliefs that influence moral and social
behaviour, how morality was enforced in the traditional society, control
mechanisms; formal and informal mechanisms of social control; public
control mechanisms of traditional authority, socialization process as
social control mechanism and traditional sanctions.
RS 482 The Revelation of God in frican Traditional Religion
This course discusses the concept of the Supreme Being and how he
is revealed in African Traditional Religion taking into cognizance the
stories and popular tales in Africa that characterizes the Supreme Being.
RS 483 African Wisdom and Virtue Ethics
This course discusses African philosophical wisdom as driving force for
acting virtuously. The cardinal virtues of justice, prudence, fortitude and
temperance as guidance to living in society will be discussed in the light
of African wisdom.
RS 484 Christology
This course is a theological reflection on the person and the deed of
Jesus. It discusses the different approaches in the study of Christ;
Biblical and theological approaches in Christology; The problem of
Jesus Christ as God-Man; Brief historical development of Christology:
The First General Council of Nicaea (325); The first general Council of
Constantinople (381); The General Council of Ephesus (431) and The
General Council of Chalcedon (450). Features of Christology in the New
Testament and African Christological titles: Christ Our Ancestor; Christ
the King; Christ the Carpenter; Christ the Healer, Christ the liberator,
etc. Reading some African theologians who have contributed to doing
Christology from within African context : Abraham Akrong, Kofi AppiahKubi, Kwame Bediako, Benezet Bujo, Jean-Marc Ela, Ka Mana, Cece Kolie
John Mbiti, Efoe Julien Penoukou.
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RS 485 Religion and Traditional Ghanaian Social Institutions
This course deals principally with the Religious and social life of the
Ghanaian. Issues to be studied include: The Family, Community/Societal
Life; Leadership and Authority; Chieftaincy–Kingship/Queenship;
Priesthood and Worship; The Court System; Case Study of some festivals.
Traditional Ghanaian Institutions Today. The future of Traditional
Ghanaian Institutions.
RS 486 History of Christian-Muslim Relations (CMR)
Christianity in Arabia before Islam; the prophet and Christians in Mecca,
Abbysinia, Medina, the Bishops from Najran: Christian-Muslim Relations
in the periods of Rashidun, Ummayads, the Abbasids. Consequences
of the crusades on Christian-Muslim Relations (CMR); Thomas Carlyle,
Nicholas of Cusa, Colonialism and Christian-Muslim Relations. WestArab-Africa relations (or Christian-Muslim Relations); Christian-Muslim
missionaries in Africa. Christian-Muslim Relations in contemporary
Africa.
RS 487 Religion and Bioethics
The course presents the main religious traditions in their vision and
ethical concerns, and expounds on the foundations and the procedures
of their bioethical argumentation, the general overview of the
relationship between religion and bioethics; the religious difference in
clinical health care, the role of religion in medical ethics.
RS 490 Long Essay
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ADDENDUM
REGULATIONS FOR THE CONDUCT OF
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS
ALL Students of the Department are advised to take note of the
REGULATIONS guiding the conduct of University Examinations.
Students are required to inform themselves of the following, taking note
particularly of item 17.
1.Examination Time Tables shall be posted on College
and Student Notice Boards and it is the responsibility of
Candidates to consult these Notice Boards for details of
their Departments concerned, unless otherwise stated.
The University reserves the right, where circumstances so
demand to make changes on the Time Tables. All affected
Candidates shall be informed, accordingly.
2. All Candidates shall report at the Examinations Hall not
earlier than THIRTY (30) MINUTES before the start of
the Examination. Candidates shall occupy the places
assigned to them as indicated by the Index Numbers or
any form of identification arranged for the purposes of the
Examinations.
3. Candidates are to have in their possession their Identify
and Examinations Cards and show these to the invigilators
before entering the Examinations Hall.
4. No Candidate shall be allowed to leave the Examination
Hall until after THIRTY (30) MINUTES of the commencement
of the Examination.
5. Any Candidate who enters the Examination Hall within
THIRTY (30) MINUTES from the start of a paper shall report
to the invigilator before being checked in.
6. No Candidate shall be allowed to leave the Examination Hall
within the last THIRTY (30) MINUTES of the Examination.
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BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
7. Candidates are not permitted to start the Examination
until the Invigilator instructs them to do so. Writing on
Answer Booklets prior to the start of the Examination shall
constitute a breach of Examination Regulations and the
appropriate sanction applied.
8.Unless specifically authorized by the Examiner, no
Candidate shall take into an Examination Hall or have in his/
her possession during an Examination, any of the following:
Note: Textbooks; Prepared Materials; Hats, Bags, Pencil
Cases; Mobile Phones; Programmable Calculators; Palmtop Computers; Scanners; Radios; and, any unauthorized
Electronic Gadgets, etc.
Invigilators have the authority to CONFISCATE such
material and/or items
and
have them DESTROYED.
The affected Candidates shall be reported to the FACULTY/
College Examinations Officer/College Registrar in writing
as being in breach of Examination Regulations and the
appropriate sanctions applied.
9. Candidates shall use their Index Numbers throughout the
Examinations. Under no circumstance should candidates
use their names during Examinations. Failure to do so shall
render the Candidate’s Answer Booklet/supplementary
sheet invalid.
10.Candidates may leave the Examinations Hall temporarily
only with the expressed permission of the invigilator and
shall be under escort. The Invigilator reserves the right to
take every necessary precaution, including physical search
on the Examination Hall. The maximum time a candidate
shall be allowed such leave shall be at the discretion of the
Invigilator.
11. No Candidate shall pass Notes or seek any other information
or make any form of solicitation from other candidates
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
57
during the period of the Examination. Such form of
solicitation shall be taken to be a breach of Examinations
Regulations and the candidate involved shall be
sanctioned, accordingly. For purposes of these Regulations,
the following shall apply:
i. a Candidate may attract the attention of the Invigilator
by raising a hand;
ii. a Candidate shall not pass or attempt to pass any
information or instrument to another Candidate during
Examination;
iii. a Candidate shall not copy or attempt to copy from
another candidate;
iv. a Candidate shall not leave his/her answers in such a
manner that another Candidate may be able to read;
and,
v. a Candidate shall not in any way disturb or distract
other Candidates during Examination.
12.No candidate shall take away any USED or UNUSED Answer
Booklet; Supplementary Sheet; Scannable Forms or any
material supplied for the purposes of the Examination.
13.Plagiarism in any form is a serious offence punishable by
dismissal from the University. Candidates are advised
to credit any material used in their work that has been
derived from another source. When in doubt, Candidates
are advised to consult their Supervisors and/or Heads of
Department.
14.Any candidate who finishes an Examination ahead of the
stipulated TIME may leave the Examinations
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BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
15. Hall after handling over his/her Answer Book(s) to the
Invigilator. Such Candidates(s) shall not be allowed to return
to the Examination Hall.
16.Smoking or Eating is not permitted in the Examinations Hall.
Any violation shall be treated as a breach of Examinations
Regulations.
17.A Candidate shall have himself/herself to blame in the
event of violation of any of the said Regulations for the
Conduct of University Examinations. It is the responsibility
of the Candidate to inform of any of the said Regulations
for the Conduct of Univhim/herself of these Regulations
at all times. Ignorance of these Regulations shall not
be considered as a mitigating factor in the event of any
breach of a said Regulation. Infringement of any of these
RegulaInfringement of any d as a mitigating factor in
the event of any breachof a said Regulation. Ignorance
oftions by an Examination Candidate shall constitute
MISCONDUCT-and shall attract any one and/or more of the
following sanctions:
i. Rustication from the University for a Stated Period;
ii. Reprimand;
iii. Warning;
iv. With-holding of Results for a period;
v. Suspension from the University; and,
vi. Dismissal
NB: Upon dismissal from the University a student shall not
be entitled to have any academic transcript from the
University. All academic records including transcripts
become null and void after the dismissal of a dismissed
student.
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
59
18.Students, both males and females, are entreated to
dress decently to the Examinations Hall. The University
Administration is concerned about the indecent dressing of
students and every effort would be made to correct it. Any
candidate who does not dress decently would be refused
entry into the Examinations Hall.
60
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
Staff Qualification and Details
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
61
Staff
Category
Teaching
staff
62
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
M
M
M
M
Rev. Samuel
Asiedu-Amoako
Sheikh Seebaway
Zakaria
Muhammad
Dr. Victor S. Gedzi
Rev. Fr. Dr.
Emmanuel Kojo
Ennin Antwi
M
Rev. Jonathan
Edward Tetteh
Kuwornu Adjaottor
M
M
Rev. Dr. Abamfo
Ofori Atiemo
Very Rev. Fr. Dr.
Francis AppiahKubi
M
Sex
Very Rev. Dr.
Nathan Iddrisu
Samwini
Name of staff
PhD, 2005, Paris
M. Th, 2007,
Trinity, Legon
M. Phil, 1999,
Legon
PhD, 2009,
Netherlands
PhD, 2012,
Germany
✓
✓
✓
✓
M. Th, 2007,
Trinity, Legon
✓
✓
PhD, 2010, VU
✓
Highest
qualification/
Year obtained
and Place
PhD, 2003,
University of
Birmingham
Part
time
✓
Full
time
Old Testament Literature and
Exegesis, Biblical Theology
Interaction between
Culture, Religion, Law and
Development
African Studies
Religion and Environment
Systematic Theology
(Christology, Fundamental
Theology, Sacramentology,
Missiology, Theology of Holy
Orders or Ministries, African
Theology and Eschatology).
Specialist in Ecclesiology
New Testament Studies
Religious Studies
Islamic Studies /Comparative
Study of Religions.
Area of specialization
Lecturer
1 year teaching
experience
Lecturer
3 years teaching
experience
Lecturer
13 years teaching
experience
Lecturer
5years teaching
experience
Lecturer
9 years teaching
experience
Senior Lecturer
5years teaching
experience
16years teaching
experience
Senior Lecturer
Head/Senior Lecturer
8years teaching
experience
Rank/Years of
teaching experience
* Old Testament Theology
* Themes in the Old Testament
* Theology of Paul
* Biblical Hermeneutics
* New Religious Movement
* ATR and Development
* Research Methods
* Culture and Development
* Comparative Study of Religions
* Intro. to the Study of Religion
* Islam and African Culture
* Islam, Medicine and Healing
* Islamic Ethics
* Islamic Theology
* Intro. to Psychology of Religion
* Intro. to Christianity
* Religion and Science
* Religion and Environment
* ATR and Social Control
* Issues in Religion and Science
* Intro. to African Traditional Religion
* Intro. To Christian Theology
* Into to African Theology
* African Traditional Religion and Priesthood
* Religion and African World view
* Christology
* African Traditional Priesthood
* Intro. to New Testament
* The Gospels
* Acts of Apostles
* New Testament Greek
* The Epistles
* Theology of the New Testament
* The Bible in African Christianity
* History and theory of Biblical Translation
* Intro. to Eastern Religions
*Contemporary Ghanaian Christianity
* Issues in African Christianity
* Supervision of Thesis and Project Work
* Intro. to Islam
* Intro African Myths and Symbols
* Comparative study of Religions
* Quranic Studies
* Modern Trends in Islam
* Caliphate
Courses taught
8hrs
18hrs
12hrs
12hrs
18hrs
15 hours
12hrs
15hrs
Workload
(expressed in
hours per week
per teacher)
BACHELOR OF ARTS RELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2019
63
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
Rev. John Kwaku
Opoku
Most Rev. Professor
Emmanuel Asante
Rev. Dr. Effa Ababio
Rev. Fr. Dr. Peter
Addai-Mensah
Very Rev. Dr. Paul
Kwabena Boafo
Rev. Msgr Dr. John
Opoku-Agyemang
M
Very Rev. Frimpong
Wiafe
Dr. Yunus Dumbe
PhD 1991,
Scotland, UK
S.T.D., 2010,
Boston, USA
PhD, 1999,
Belfast, UK
D .Min, 2001, USA
✓
✓
✓
✓
MA, 2005,
Netherlands,
Master of
Bioethics, 2007,
Leoven Belgium
✓
PhD 1986,
Canada
M.Th 2009,
Trinity-Legon
✓
✓
PhD, Univ. of
Ghana, Legon
✓
Systematic Theology, Biblical
Studies, Ministry and Islamic
Religion
Church History, Christian
Ethics, Systematic Theology,
Christian Doctrine and
Wesleyan Theology.
Systematic Theology,
Spirituality, Pastoral Care and
Counselling
Church History, Philosophy of
Religion, Christian Ethics and
Systematic Theology.
Ethics, Systematic Theology,
Philosophy of Religion and Old
Testament Studies
Intercultural Theology and
Bioethics
Hebrew and Old Testament
Islam
Senior Lecturer
years teaching
experience
Senior Lecturer
14years teaching
experience
Senior Lecturer
19 years teaching
experience
Senior Lecturer
Associate Professor
21 years teaching
experience
Assistant Lecturer
4 years teaching
experience
Assistant Lecturer
4 years teaching
experience
Lecturer
1 year teaching
experience
* Traditional African Philosophy
* African Wisdom and Virtue Ethics
* The Revelation of God in African Traditional
Religion
* History of the Early Church
* Medieval Church History
* Issues in early Church history
* History of the Reformation and Counter
Reformation
* Professional Ethics
* Christian Spirituality
* ATR and Widowhood
* Religion and Gender
* African Spirituality
* Religion, Morality and Leadership
* Religion and Leadership
* African Traditional Ethics
* Contemporary Moral and African Ethical
Issues
* Church and society
* Theology of the Old Testament
* Religion, Culture and Science
* Contemporary Interpretation of the
Kingdom Of God
* Historical Development of Christian
tradition
* Philosophy of Religion
* Ethical Theories and Religious ethical
Systems
* Christian Ethics
* Sociology of Religion
* Religion and Human Rights
* Medicine, Healing and Spirituality
* ATR, Medicine and Healing
* Religion and Bioethics
* Theology of Old testament
* Introduction to Old Testament
* Old Testament Apocalyptic
* Wisdom Literature
* Hebrew
* Inter Hebrew
* Advance hebrew
* Shar’ia
* Islam in West Africa
* Islamic Faith and Practice
6hrs
6hrs
6hrs
6hrs
6hrs
18hrs
12hrs
15hrs
Other
support
staff
Administrative
staff
Technical
staff
Mrs. Janet Ampah
Technicians:
Technologists:
Rev. Dr. Kwabena
Opuni Frimpong
F
✓
✓
MBA, 2012,
KNUST-Ksi
PhD, 2010. Akrofi
Christaller
Strategic Management and
Consulting
Christianity and African Culture
Snr. Admin. Asst.
Lecturer
7years teaching
experience
-
* Religion and Media in Ghana
* Traditional Patterns of learning.
-
6hrs