Introduction to African Religions

This introductory synchronous online course explores indigenous and traditional African and African diasporic religions and spiritual traditions, focusing on how indigenous epistemologies move beyond the spirit, mind, and body paradigm to foster the “Sacred Hospitality” relationship between human, non-human species, Mother Earth, nature, and the elements. Ethnophilosophy methodologies provide the theoretical groundwork for deep exploration into the language, folklore, myths, metaphor, taboos, and rituals preserving African cultural, spiritual, and religious identities. African religiosity and spirituality invoke ancestral reverence, divine embodiment, and justice-focused practices from Africa to the Americas. Evaluation based on Populi participation, class discussion leadership, short memoir paper, final project, and presentation. This course is open to all degree programs.

Relates to Thresholds: (3) Sacred Text and Interpretation, (5) Spiritual Practice and the Care of the Soul, (6) Thea/ology in Culture and Context and MFC Competencies: (7) Educating for Wholeness and Liberation, and (8) Embodied Wisdom and Beauty.

Max Enrollment: 20. Auditors excluded.