2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
THEO2780 Pentecostalism as a Public Religion in Africa
20 creditsClass Size: 60
Module manager: Dr Adriaan van Klinken
Email: a.vanklinken@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2017/18
This module is approved as a discovery module
Module summary
Christianity is flourishing in Africa, and for a considerable part this is related to the success of Pentecostal movements on the continent. This module offers an introduction to Pentecostalism as a public religion in contemporary Africa, exploring different disciplinary perspectives, methodological questions and key issues such as gender, sexuality and politics.Objectives
Through this module students will become familiar with the historical backgrounds, theological characteristics and contemporary expressions of Pentecostalism in Africa, can identify and compare different disciplinary and methodological approaches to the study of Pentecostalism in Africa, and can reflect critically on Pentecostalism as a public religion in modern Africa in relation to various themes discussed in the module.Learning outcomes
- Knowledge of the historical backgrounds and theological characteristics of Pentecostalism in general, and particularly in Africa.
- Knowledge of different disciplinary and methodological approaches to the study of Pentecostalism in Africa, mainly historical, anthropological, sociological and theological approaches.
- An understanding of contemporary expressions of Pentecostalism and its role as a public religion in African societies.
- A critical understanding of the key issues in African Pentecostalism, such as issues of gender, sexuality, politics, globalisation, and interreligious relations.
Skills outcomes
Students develop analytical, methodological and critical approaches essential to the study of religion in particular and other social science and humanities subject areas more broadly, such as the skill of critical reading of texts.
Syllabus
1) Introduction to Pentecostalism, its theological, social, and cultural origins and characteristics.
2) Disciplinary and methodological approaches to Pentecostalism
3) From African Independent to Pentecostal-Charismatic Churches: A History of Pentecostalism in Africa
4) Neo-Pentecostalism and the 'prosperity Gospel'
5) The relation between Pentecostal Christianity and African traditional religion, with a focus on healing, witchcraft and spiritual warfare.
6) The Pentecostal social and political agenda in the postcolonial African state
7) Gender in African Pentecostalism
8) Sexuality in African Pentecostalism
9) Pentecostalism and Islam in Africa
10) African Pentecostalism and the use of new media
11) Pentecostalism, modernity and globalisation in Africa
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Text Class | 10 | 1.00 | 10.00 |
| Lecture | 11 | 1.00 | 11.00 |
| Private study hours | 179.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 21.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Private study
4 hours a week preparing for each text class (reading set texts and writing notes in response to set study questions): 4 x 10 = 40Group presentation: 9 hours
Essay preparation and writing: 80
Exam preparation and writing: 50
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
The students' progress is monitored mainly through their participation in and contribution to the seminar groups. Furthermore, students can submit and receive feedback on their essay proposal, and they can meet with the tutor during office hours.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Essay | 1 x 3000 words | 50.00 |
| Presentation | Verbal presentation | 10.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 60.00 | |
Resits for the module consist of an essay (60%) and a 2-hour exam (40%).
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2 hr 00 mins | 40.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 40.00 | |
Resits for the module consist of an essay (60%) and a 2-hour exam (40%).
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 08/08/2017
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
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