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RELIGIONS
M.A/M.PHIL COURSES
Normally, a good first degree in Religious Studies or the Study of Religions is required. In
exceptional cases a candidate who is otherwise adjudged suitable may be admitted as a Special
Admission candidate. Candidates offering Biblical Hebrew and New Testament Greek must have
studied Hebrew and Greek to B.A. or Diploma Level; those offering Classical Arabic must have
studied Arabic to G.C.E. ‘A’ Level.

LEVEL 600 COURSES

Level 600 students offering M.A. degree require a minimum of 43 credits to graduate while those
offering M.Phil degree require a minimum of 64 credits to graduate. The breakdown is as follows:
1. M.A.
Course work 28 credits
Seminar Presentation 3 credits
Dissertation 12 credits
Total 43 credits
2. M.Phil.
1st year
Course work 28 credits
Seminar Presentation (I) 3 credits
2nd year
Seminar Presentation (II) 3 credits
Thesis 30 credits
Total 64 credits
Students must take at least four courses each Semester in addition to the year long compulsory
core course on Research Methodology. A selection of courses will be available each year.
Candidates whose concentration is in Biblical Studies must have studied Greek and Hebrew to the
Diploma or Bachelor of Arts level. All courses carry three credits each except SREL 600 Research
Methodology, which carries four credits.

CODE COURSE TITLE

SREL 600 Dissertation
SREL 660 Thesis
SREL 603 Hebrew Texts
SREL 604 Prophetic Literature
SREL 605 Old Testament Theology
SREL 606 Themes in the Old Testament
SREL 607 Apocalyptic Literature
SREL 608 The Intellectual Traditions of the Old Testament
SREL 610 Research Methodology
SREL 611 New Testament Texts in Greek
SREL 612 The Theology of the Johannine Literature
SREL 613 The Theology of the Synoptic Gospels
SREL 614 The Theology of St. Paul
SREL 615 Women in the New Testament
SREL 616 African Readings of the New Testament
SREl 620 Seminar I
SREL 621 Christian Missions
SREL 622 The Church in Africa
SREL 623 Church and Society
SREL 624 Africa and the Early Church Fathers
SREL 625 African Pentecostalism
SREL 626 The Gospel and Culture – The African Experience
SREL 630 Seminar II
SREL 631 Major Christian Doctrines
SREL 632 Contemporary Theologians
SREL 633 A Major Theological Philosopher
SREL 634 Contemporary Women’s Theologies
SREL 635 Pastoral Psychology and Counselling
SREL 636 Liturgics
SREL 641 West African Arabic Literature
SREL 642 Islamic Political System
SREL 643 Economic Doctrines of Islam
SREL 644 Scholastic Theology in Islam
SREL 645 Islam in Western Sudan
SREL 646 Islam in Modern West Africa
SREL 647 Islamic Jurisprudence
SREL 648 Muslim Family Law
SREL 650 Religion in the African Diaspora
SREL 651 Historians of Religion
SREL 652 Religious Pluralism
SREL 653 Comparative Religion
SREL 654 New Religious Movements
SREL 655 Phenomenology and African Traditional Religion
SREL 656 New Manifestations of African Traditional Religion
SREL 657 African Myths and Symbols
SREL 658 Religious Views of Humanity and International Human Rights
SREL 659 Religion and Development
SREL 661 Religion in Public Life
SREL 662 Theology of Power
SREL 671 Fundamental Problems in Philosophy of Religion
SREL 672 Philosophical and Theological Issues in African Traditional Religion
SREL 673 Contemporary Ethical and Moral Problems
SREL 674 A Major Ethical System
M.A./M.PHIL.
CORE COURSES

SREL 610 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Meaning of inquiry and categories of Research. Identifying research area, topic and the title.
Writing of research/thesis/dissertation proposals and abstracts. Disciplinary approaches to
research in the humanities especially the Study of Religions. Research Design: purpose of
research, units of analysis, points of focus, time dimensions, interviews, modes of observation, etc.
Oral sources – techniques of interpretation and validation. Identification, review and use of
documentary sources. Understanding of basic statistics. Data analysis: measurement and
conceptualization; use of computers in research. Writing and reporting research findings.
Techniques of translation – Arabic, Greek and Hebrew. Thesis format.
SREL 620 SEMINAR I
In year 1, each student in a Department or Programme is expected to attend all seminars specified
and make his/her own presentation on selected topics to an audience. Each student will be
expected to make at least one oral presentation to be assessed each semester and also present a full
write-up of the presentation for another assessment. These will earn a total of 3 credits.

ELECTIVES

M.A./M.PHIL.
SREL 650 RELIGION IN THE AFRICAN DIASPORA

Defining the African Diaspora; African Traditional Religion in the Diaspora; Christianity in the
African Diaspora; African Diaspora Hebrews; Islam and the African Diaspora; Religion and
Politics in the African Diaspora; Diasporic Religious Movements in Africa; and the New African
Diaspora and Christianity.

SECOND YEAR

CORE COURSE
SREL 630 SEMINAR II
For year 2, each student will make a presentation soon after the Year I examinations on his/her
Thesis Research Proposal and also present a progress report midway into the second semester.
These will be assessed for 3 credits.

FIRST YEAR: 1ST SEMESTER ELECTIVE COURSES

M.A./M.PHIL.
CHRISTIAN STUDIES
BIBLICAL STUDIES
OLD TESTAMENT STUDIES

SREL 603 HEBREW TEXTS
Readings of selected prose and poetic texts, with grammatical and syntactical review. Precise
exegesis and translation into English. (This is a pre-requisite for an M.Phil. specialization in Old
Testament Studies.)

SREL 605 OLD TESTAMENT THEOLOGY
A study of the approaches to Old Testament Theology; examination of major Old Testament
theological views.

SREL 607 APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE

An examination of the apocalyptic view of life, and a detailed study of the Book of Daniel.

NEW TESTAMENT STUDIES

SREL 611 NEW TESTAMENT TEXTS IN GREEK
A reading of at least one of the non-gospel New Testament books or letters. The flow of the
author’s presentation will be examined and attention will be paid to accurate translation,
morphology and syntax. (This is a pre-requisite for an M.Phil. specialization in New Testament
Studies).

SREL 613 THE THEOLOGY OF THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS
The background of several key issues and how they feature in the Synoptics will be dealt with, e.g.,
the kingdom of God, the Son of Man, Jesus’ attitude to the politics of his day, divorce. Other
issues will include the Messianic secret (Mark), the use of the Old Testament (Matthew),
Universalism (Luke).

SREL 615 WOMEN IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
The New Testament world and the place of women in it. An examination of passages that reflect
the New Testament attitude to women – unmarried, married and widowed. A look at the images or
portraits of some of the individual women in the New Testament. An evaluation – in terms of
methodology and content – of some of the feminist readings of the New Testament.

HISTORICAL AND THEOLOGICAL STUDIES

CHURCH HISTORY AND MISSIONS
SREL 621 CHRISTIAN MISSIONS
Biblical and Theological reflections on mission. Viability of missionary activities, policies and
implementation.
a. The Early Period
b. The Medieval Period
c. The Contemporary Period

SREL 623 CHURCH AND SOCIETY
The concept of Church. Participation of men and women in Church and Society. Church and
State relationship.

SREL 625 AFRICAN PENTECOSTALISM
The socio-religious setting of African Pentecostalism. The history of Pentecostalism; the
spirituality, theology and practices of Pentecostalism; the impact of Pentecostalism on the social
life of the African.

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
SREL 631 MAJOR CHRISTIAN DOCTRINES
A systematic study of the doctrines of the Triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and of other
doctrines such as the human being in relation to God, the Church, the last things (eschatology).

SREL 633 A MAJOR THEOLOGICAL PHILOSOPHER
A detailed and critical study of the thoughts of either
a. a major western philosopher, or
b. an African or Africanist writer, or
c. a school of philosophers in their theological aspects.
An attempt will be made to test the themes studied against the religious life and experience of
Ghanaians.

PRACTICAL THEOLOGY

SREL 635 PASTORAL PSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSELING
Principles, approaches and skills appropriately adopted in effective counseling within an African
Context. The characteristics of an effective counselor, techniques of group counseling and
development of inter-personal relational skills.

ISLAMIC STUDIES

SREL 641 WEST AFRICAN ARABIC LITERATURE

Selected Classical Arabic works by West African authors, e.g., Alhaji Umar of Salaga (1858 –
1934); Shaykh Jibril ibn Umar; Uthman dan Fodio; Abdullah dan Fodio; Muhammad Bello b.
Uthman; Alhaji Salih ibn Muhammed; Mahmud ibn Abdallah and Malam al-Hasan. A study of the
Arabic works on West Africa. E.g., those of Jalal al-din al-Suyuti, and Al-Maghili.

SREL 643 ECONOMIC DOCTRINES OF ISLAM

Islam’s attitude to wealth and its distribution. The institution of Sadaqa, Zakat. An evaluation of
the issue of Muslim economic and interest–free banking.

SREL 645 ISLAM IN WESTERN SUDAN

A study of the spread of Islam to Western Sudan and the role of Muslims in the development of
the ancient empires of Ghana, Mali and Songhay.

SREL 647 ISLAMIC JURISPRUDENCE

A critical analysis of the history and development of Islamic jurisprudence with particular
reference to the four main Sunni schools of law.

HISTORY OF RELIGIONS
SREL 651 HISTORIANS OF RELIGION

A critical survey and review of the writings of selected scholars in the field of History of
Religions and Comparative Religions.

SREL 653 COMPARATIVE RELIGION

An exploration of selected themes as they appear in various religious traditions. Comparing the
apparent similar features in different religious traditions to determine commonalities and
characteristic differences. (SREL 651 is a pre-requisite for this course).

SREL 655 PHENOMENOLOGY AND AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION

Phenomenology of Religions; its meaning in relation to the study of African Traditional Religion.
Attitudes and effects on the study of and research into the African Traditional Religion. Critique
and appraisal of sources and data. Dimensions of African Traditional Religions. Impact and
influence on the lives of the people.

SREL 657 AFRICAN MYTHS AND SYMBOLS

Theoretical approaches to the study of myths and symbols. Universality of myths and symbols in
relation to the Sacred, the environment, etc. Selected readings from the mythologies of Africa,
India, Europe, etc.

SREL 659 RELIGION AND DEVELOPMENT

A study of modern theories of development and the role of religion in development. Issues such
as religion and political development, religion, social values and development, religion and the
environment, will be discussed.

SREL 661 RELIGION IN PUBLIC LIFE

Religion and the secular state; religion and politics; religion and civil society; religious advocacy;
religion and globalization and religion and public policy.

RELIGIOUS PHILOSOPHICAL AND ETHICAL STUDIES
SREL 671 FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS IN PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION

A critical study of the fundamental problems in Philosophy of Religion, e.g., the nature and
grounds of religious belief, the idea of God and His relationship to the world; theories of the
universe. Views will be related to the religious life and experience of Ghanaians.

SREL 673 CONTEMPORARY ETHICAL AND MORAL PROBLEMS

In-depth study of some contemporary ethical and moral problems selected from various spheres of
life, e.g., family life; business; professional and economic; political; medical; Human Rights; the
use and misuse of science. Issues will be discussed within the context of the three major religions
of Christianity, Islam and African Traditional Religion.

FIRST YEAR: 2ND SEMESTER ELECTIVE COURSES
M.A./M.PHIL.
CHRISTIAN STUDIES
BIBLICAL STUDIES
OLD TESTAMENT STUDIES
SREL 604 PROPHETIC LITERATURE

A detailed study of Old Testament prophets such as Amos and Hosea with emphasis on their
theology and their meaning for today.

SREL 606 THEMES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

An exegetical and theological study of some of the central themes of the Old Testament.

SREL 608 THE INTELLECTUAL TRADITIONS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

A detailed study of the growth and the trend of the ancient Israelite wisdom traditions, with
special emphasis on Old Testament Wisdom Literature.

NEW TESTAMENT STUDIES
SREL 612 THE THEOLOGY OF THE JOHANNINE LITERATURE

The background of several key issues and how they feature in the Johannine Literature will be
dealt with. E.g., concepts of the Logos, the Lamb of God, the Paraclete. Other issues will include
the sacramentalism of John, Gnosticism and the Johannine letters.

SREL 614 THE THEOLOGY OF ST. PAUL

The background of several key issues and how they feature in the specific contexts of Paul’s life
and works will be dealt with. E.g., the concept of Reconciliation, the law, spiritual gifts. Other
issues will include the sacraments and the resurrection of the dead.

SREL 616 AFRICAN READINGS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

The place of mother-tongue scriptures in the theological enterprise. An exegetical study of a
chosen New Testament book(s) on the basis of mainly mother-tongue scriptures in comparison
with the original Greek texts and other translations of the New Testament.

HISTORICAL AND THEOLOGICAL STUDIES
CHURCH HISTORY AND MISSIONS
SREL 622 THE CHURCH IN AFRICA

The beginnings of the Church in Africa, its development, policies, success and failure. African
Instituted Churches, Charismatic renewals, Ministries, etc. The future of the Church in Africa.
(SREL 621 is a pre-requisite for this course).

SREL 624 AFRICA AND THE EARLY CHURCH FATHERS

The relevance of the theological development of the Early Church Fathers for the theological
enterprise in Africa today. The course will concentrate on some Church Fathers and how they
engaged in the issue of contextualization. E.g., Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Origen, Athanasius, etc.

SREL 626 THE GOSPEL AND CULTURE– THE AFRICAN EXPERIENCE

Biblical and Theological reflections on Culture. The gospel and African culture. The impact of
Christianity on the lives of the people in Africa. Issues and implications, e.g., contextualization,
inculturation, syncretism. (These will be studied in relation to specific areas and situations.)

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
SREL 632 CONTEMPORARY THEOLOGIANS

A study of the life, thought, theological methods and the most germinal ideas of contemporary
thinkers, who have shaped theology in our time. E.g., Karl Barth, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Paul
Tillich, Harry Sawyerr, John Mbiti, Christian Baeta, Kwesi Dickson, John S. Pobee, etc.

SREL 634 CONTEMPORARY WOMEN’S THEOLOGIES

An introduction to and an analysis of the contributions of women in the field of theology. An
examination and application of the tools for analyzing issues with regard to women, religion and
theology.

PRACTICAL THEOLOGY
SREL 636 LITURGICS

A study of traditions of worship, prayer and liturgy. The development of the Christian traditions –
The Ministry of the Word, Eucharist and Sacraments; Classical Liturgies. Reformation adaptations
of the Church’s Classical liturgies. The modern liturgical revival in the churches. The issue of
indigenization of worship in Africa.

ISLAMIC STUDIES
SREL 642 ISLAMIC POLITICAL SYSTEM

A review and discussion of the basis of the Islamic political system and its objectives. A study of
one contemporary Islamic state.

SREL 644 SCHOLASTIC THEOLOGY IN ISLAM

The origin and development of dialectical theology in Islam. A study of the thought and doctrine
of al-Ashari.

SREL 646 ISLAM IN MODERN WEST AFRICA

A study of modern West Africa with special reference to the Hausa States and the jihad of Uthman
b. Fodio. An appraisal of the Islamic role in the development of institutions and ideas in Ghana.

SREL 648 MUSLIM FAMILY LAW

The study will include the law on marriage, divorce and inheritance. It will relate to issues of the family among Muslims in Ghana.

HISTORY OF RELIGIONS
SREL 652 RELIGIOUS PLURALISM

A study of the dynamics of the approaches and reactions of religious communities to other
religions. Inter-religious dialogues. Contemporary religious discourse; the claim to uniqueness in
the face of religious pluralism.

SREL 654 NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

The study of the New Religious Movements especially those present in Africa and Ghana in
particular. Reasons for their proliferation; appeal to and influence on society; the challenges posed
to orthodox Christian/established religions.

SREL 656 NEW MANIFESTATIONS OF AFRICAN TRADITIONAL
RELIGION

A study of the phenomenon of New Forms of African Traditional Religions, e.g., Afrikania
Mission, Goddianism. Their origins, belief, etc. Relationship with other Religions.

SREL 658 RELIGIOUS VIEWS OF HUMANITY AND INTERNATIONAL
HUMAN RIGHTS

An introduction to the concept and practice of international human rights, exploring their
important and historical and legal links with religion (both in terms of ideas and institutions).
Areas of focus include introduction to the concept and practice of international human rights;
religion and the historical development of human rights; religious views of humanity and the idea
of inherent human dignity; religious communities and public-private divide; the universality of the
UN system and cultural relativism; the African Charter of Human and Peoples’ Rights and
‘African Cultural Values’. The role of national and international religious organizations in Africa
in the promotion of human rights will also be discussed.

SREL 662 THEOLOGY OF POWER

Areas to be dealt with are: the concept of “power”; ethics and power; religion, gender and power;
religion and political power; religion and socio-economic power; inter-religious power struggles
and religion and conflict resolution.

RELIGIOUS PHILOSOPHICAL AND ETHICAL STUDIES
SREL 672 PHILOSOPHICAL AND THEOLOGICAL ISSUES IN AFRICAN
TRADITIONAL RELIGION

The concepts of philosophy and theology in relation to the African Traditional worldview. Belief
systems and practices in relation to:
a. nature, ecology and creation
b. personhood and destiny
c. morality and destiny
d. family, community and ethnicity
e. justice, peace, etc.

(SREL 655 is a pre-requisite for this course).
SREL 674 A MAJOR ETHICAL SYSTEM

A critical study of the presuppositions, basic theories of rightness and goodness, values and goals
of one major ethical system. Pronouncements on specific issues as well as the process of
decision-making and enforcement of morals in the system will be discussed, e.g., African