About Us
Welcome to the Department of Religious Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. A unique hub for spinning theoretical web in the scientific study of religion at home and abroad. While preserving specialization competences, academic staff in the Department of Religious Studies continue to rigorously pursue the study of religion from the scientific and multi-disciplinary perspectives. This multi-disciplinary approach has established Religious Studies and has given the department a unique identity. It is remarkable that Ife Religious Studies does not present any religious system as sui generis or exclusivist, but as an aspect of human behaviour in a society. No religion is presented as superior or inferior to the other, rather each religion is critically studied for what it is. The philosophy of the Department of Religious Studies is derived from the overall vision of the University, which aims at creating a teaching and learning community, imparting appropriate skills, knowledge that are relevant to national and global development, and engendering a sense of selfless service in the public sector. It is also the philosophy of the Department to produce thorough-bred and disciplined students. With excellent knowledge and skills, who will be able to demonstrate competence and knowledge in any area of endeavour they may choose to go into after graduation.
New additions include: African Religions in the Diaspora, Islamic Banking System, Origin and Development of Islamic Law, Revivalism and Renewal Movements in Islam, Religion and the Media, Religion and Leadership, Religion and Science, Religion and the Arts, Music in World Religions and Women in Religious Traditions. These new courses have been introduced over time to expand the existing areas, notably the Sociology of Religion, Comparative Religion, African Indigenous Religion, Islamic Studies, and Christian Studies.
The Department offers both B. A. Religious Studies (Single Honours) with four basic areas of emphasis (as indicated above) and Combined Honours degree with ten disciplines namely: Dramatic Arts, English, History, International Relations, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology and Yoruba.
The objectives of the degree programme in Religious Studies are to
i. understand the general features of religion as a social phenomenon and to acquaint students with the main contents of the major religious traditions in Nigeria, namely Indigenous religion, Islam and Christianity.
ii. provide an understanding of critical and analytical skills about the implications of religion in human society, particularly on how religion affects relationships across cultures, ethnic communities, and in global contexts.
iii. Appraise the historical, theological and ethical dimensions of religion in the modern world, as well as engagement of religion with other disciplines.
iv. Equip graduates of the department with sound moral and ethical basis for launching into other disciplines and professions such as policy analysis, public administration, journalism, social work, international relation, etc.
Staff in the Department are renowned in their respective specialties and had continued to blaze the trail with ground-breaking researches, such as: Charismatic-Pentecostalism and New Generation churches; Christian-Muslim relations, Islamic law (Shariah) and Jurisprudence; Indigenous drums, Osun-Osogbo phenomenon, Prophet-Healers. Departmental staff belong to academic/professional associations and had received prestigious national and international awards.
The department is a hub for pioneering studies in the academic and objective study of religion in West Africa.