Exploring Africa's Religious and Global Identity

This course will encourage participants to see Africa differently by pointing out its theological and philosophical contributions to religious movements. This course explores the exchange that has taken place between African culture and Christianity. The emphasis is on the globalization of African Pentecostalism as a stream of African Christianity. The migration of these religions and cultures in Europe will be studied through fieldwork and library research.

Topics of study include:

- Art
- Christian Mission
- Pre-Christian Africa
- Modern Africa
- New religious movements
- Pentecostalism

Course leader

Francis Adebayo

Target group

Specialists and non-specialists in the area of religion and history. A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent will be helpful to the student.

Course aim

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

- Have an understanding of African world views
- Compare African culture to other similar cultures in their contexts.
- Identify and describe African churches and their particularity anywhere.
- Creatively engage with the African experience in discussing the social and religious developments.

Credits info

3 EC
15 contact hours

Fee info

EUR 950: Tuition fees two-week course:

VU Students/PhD candidates and employees of VU Amsterdam* or an Aurora Network Partner €650
Students at Partner Universities of VU Amsterdam €900
Students and PhD candidates at non-partner universities of VU Amsterdam €950*
Professionals €1150

Early Bird offer
Applications received before 15 March (CET 23:59) receive €50 Early Bird discount!

Scholarships

VU Amsterdam Summer School offers two kinds of scholarships: the Academic Scholarship and the Photographer Scholarship. More information can be found on the VU Amsterdam Summer School website.