2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

THEO2286 God, Sex and Gender in Africa

20 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Dr Adriaan van Klinken
Email: A.vanKlinken@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

None

This module is mutually exclusive with

THEO3286

God, Sex and Gender in Africa

Module replaces

None

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module critically explores the intersections of religion, gender and sexuality in Africa. It makes use of anthropological, sociological and theological approaches, as well as of feminist, postcolonial and queer perspectives. Putting contemporary debates in historical, social and political contexts, it focuses on Christianity but also takes into account African indigenous religions and Islam. The module discusses a range of issues such as the position of women, gender equality, men and masculinities, HIV and AIDS, LGBT rights and homosexuality. It will be of interest to students from a range of disciplinary backgrounds including theology and religious studies, sociology, geography, politics and international relations, history and literary/cultural studies.

Objectives

Through this module students
- are introduced to contemporary academic and public debates about dynamics of religion, gender and sexuality in sub-Saharan Africa;
- gain background knowledge that helps to understand these debates in their historical, socio-cultural and political contexts;
- become familiar with relevant analytical and theoretical insights that enable them to critically analyse and reflect upon these debates.

Learning outcomes
After completing this module, students
- can identify the key issues related to religion, gender and sexuality in contemporary African societies that are central in academic and public debates;
- understand these issues in their historical, cultural and political contexts and as part of broader religious and social dynamics;
- can employ and evaluate relevant analytical and theoretical frames to approach issues of religion, gender and sexuality in Africa.

Skills outcomes
- understand and demonstrate coherent and detailed subject knowledge and academic competencies some of which will be informed by recent research/scholarship in the discipline;
- deploy accurately standard techniques of analysis and enquiry within the discipline;
- demonstrate a conceptual understanding which enables the development and sustaining of an argument;
- be able to identify and select relevant scholarly reviews and primary sources, using IT and other means, and make appropriate use of them;
- show appreciation of the complexity of different mentalities, social behaviours and aesthetic responses, and of the ways they have been shaped by beliefs and values, and how beliefs, sacred texts and art forms have been shaped by society and politics;
- synthesise material from disparate sources and make connections between different fields of study;
- show a developed ability to evaluate material, against consciously articulated and considered criteria that may be defended against alternative possibilities;
- form a coherent and integrated viewpoint or methodological approach, supported by evidence and argument;
- employ a variety of methods of study in analysing material, to think independently, set tasks and solve problems;
- give a clear and accurate account of a subject, marshal arguments in a mature way and engage in debate and dialogue with respect for the opposite case or different viewpoint.

Syllabus

A provisional outline of the module is:
1. Religion, gender and sexuality in Africa: Theoretical perspectives
2. Gender and sexuality in African indigenous religions
3. Gender, colonialism and missionary Christianity
4. African feminist theologies
5. Religion and sexuality in times of AIDS
6. Religion, men and masculinities
7. Indigenous religions and same-sex sexuality
8. Religion and politics of homosexuality
9. Religion and LGBT activism
10. African queer theologies

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Tutorials	1	1.00	1.00
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			178.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Lecture preparation: 11 x 2 = 22
Seminar preparation: 10 x 4 = 40
Formative assessment: 50 hours
Summative assessment: 66 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Seminars will be used to informally monitor student progress through the module. The tutorial session is used to give instructions about assessment. A 1,000-word piece of coursework for formative assessment will be set midway through the module.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	3000 words	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 22/01/2025 12:12:11

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