1. POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA (PGD) IN RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL STUDIES
Objectives
In view of the dynamic nature of academics, the Department of Religious and Cultural Studies has passed various changes and modifications in her curriculum aimed at meeting the changing needs of the society.
With the growing population of candidates seeking for admission into the Graduate Programme of this Department from other disciplines, it becomes imperative to incorporate Diploma Progrmme to allow more students to attempt our existing graduate programmes.
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Aims and Objectives
In recent years, there have been a growing number of. non-Religious Studies Graduate applying for our graduate programmes both at the M.A. and Ph.D levels.
Most of them have been denied admission due to their non-religious studies background. This programme (PGD) in Religious and Cultural Studies is therefore designed to provide non-graduates of Religious and Cultural Studies with the basic essentials of Religious and Cultural Studies within 12 calendar months.
It is also designed for graduates of Religious and Cultural Studies (RCS) who had less than 3 points CGPA in their bachelor degree, which will prepare them for a Masters programme.
The aim is not only to prepare them for a Masters of Arts degree in Religious and Cultural Studies, but also to equip them for careers in which a working knowledge of religious and culture is essential, especially now that a Religious Ministry and problems are marketable fields in Nigeria.
Moreover, the graduates in Humanities, Education, Social Sciences, Law, Management Sciences and Tourism will find the programme as a beneficial blend.
Among the additional targeted professionals to benefit from this programme are all forms of protocol and public relation officers in the public service, staff of Public Affairs and Community Relations, Departments in multinational companies, Ministry of Culture and International Affairs, Tourism Development, Inter-Cultural and Religious Affairs and development in Religious Ministries.
Duration of Programme
Students for the PGD programme will be required to spend a minimum of twelve calendar months. This comprises of two academic semesters plus a period of long vacation in which they will write their projects.
Course Requirements
For the PGD in Religious and Cultural Studies, candidates will:
- Take ten courses, five in each semester, including two general courses and eight in the specialty areas. All these courses will be taught courses at 3 credit units each.
- Submit a project (long essay of 6 credit units) of not less than 10,000 words on A4 sheet, excluding notes, bibliography and appendices.
- Candidates will have at least a “C” grade (Merit 100- 3.49) to pass in the programme in accordance with the University regulations.
2. MASTER OF ARTS (M.A) PROGRAMMES IN RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL STUDIES
Objectives
- To deepen the candidate’s critical and analytical understanding of Religious and Cultural Traditions of mankind with special reference to the African context.
- To encourage an in-depth study of specific areas within the subject with a view to specialized research.
- To produce graduates familiar with the methodological and theoretical developments in the relevant fields of Religious and Cultural Studies who will be able to apply their knowledge to their environment and also make their own contribution to universal scholarship.
- To help students develop independent thought and critical judgment and tolerance in the field of Religious and Cultural Studies with a view to greater understanding and harmonious living in society.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Admission to the M.A. programme will be open to candidates with B.A. degree in Religious Studies, Islamic Studies, Theology or other related disciplines such as History, Sociology and Anthropology, from Delta State University or other institutions recognized by the Senate.
Subject to the general admission regulations of the School of Graduate Studies, the class of the B.A. degree must not be lower than Second Class Honours. The method of application will be as specified in the Graduate School’s Guidelines. Candidates will be admitted for both the Fulltime and Part-Time studies.
Programme Requirements
(a). Duration of MASTER OF ARTS (M.A) PROGRAMMES IN RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL STUDIES
Students for the M.A. degree will be required to spend a minimum of twelve calendar months for the programme. Students will spend two academic semesters plus a period of long vacation for full-time studies. Candidates for the part-time programme must provide evidence that they will be available for attendance at course and for regular consultation with their academic supervisors. They will be required to spend twenty- four calendar months for the M.A. degree.
(b). Course Requirements for MASTER OF ARTS (M.A) PROGRAMMES IN RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL STUDIES
For the Masters of Arts degree, candidates will;
- Take six courses, including 2 courses in specialty areas, 3 courses in general area of Religious and Cultural Studies and 1 special methodology. The six courses will be taught courses.
- Present work as well as participate actively in Graduate Seminar
- Submit a dissertation of not less than 20,000 words or 60 A4 pages, excluding notes, bibliography and appendices; (with at least a C grade in each course), defend a dissertation in a viva voce before a panel of examiners to be set up in accordance with University regulations.
COURSES FOR MASTER OF ARTS (M.A) PROGRAMMES IN RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL STUDIES
The programme offers the students the opportunity to specialize in any of the major areas of Religious and Cultural Studies of relevance to the Nigerian context; namely African Indigenous Religion, Church History, Biblical Studies, Islam in Africa etc.
The list of courses is as follows:
M.A. (MASTER OF ARTS PROGRAMME)
Area of Specialization
- African Traditional Religion
- Biblical Studies: Old and New Testament
- Church History
- Islamic Studies
- Religious Ethics
- Sociology of Religion
- Philosophy of Religion
Compulsory Courses
- RCS 801.1 Trends in Methodology of Religious Studies
- RCS 802.1 Themes in Comparative Religion
- RCS 803.1 New Religious Movements in Africa
Specialization Courses
4. RCS 804.1 ATR – Perspectives and Issues in African
5. RCS 804.1 Traditional Religion
6. RCS 804.1 OT – Old Testament Covenant & Monarchy in
7. RCS 804.1 Israel
8. RCS 804.1 NT – The Miracles & Parables of Jesus in the
9. RCS 804.1 Gospels
10. RCS 804.1 Church Hist. The Origin and Growth of
11. RCS 804.1 Western Christianity in Africa
- Islam – Islam in Africa
- Ethics – Foundation of Religious Ethics
- Soc – Social Theories of Religion & Human Relations
- PHL – The Early Scholastic Philosophers
12. SGS 801.1 Research Methodology & ICT
(C). DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (Ph.D) PROGRAMME
Area of Specialization
- African Traditional Religion
- Biblical Studies: Old and New Testament
- Church History
- Islamic Studies
- Religious Ethics
- Sociology of Religion
- Philosophy of Religion
Ph.D Admission Requirements for the Department of Religious and Cultural Studies
Subject to the provision of the University Wide regulations governing the admission of candidates into the Ph.D programme candidates seeking admission into the Ph.D degree programme of the Department of Religious and Cultural Studies will be required to meet the following conditions:
- Admission to the Ph.D programme will be open to candidates with the M. A degree in Religious and Cultural Studies, Islamic Studies, Theology or other related disciplines such as Philosophy, History, Sociology and Anthropology on a CGPA of 3.5 points on a 5-point scale, from Delta State University or any other institution recognized by the Senate of the Delta State University.
- Candidates with the M.A. degree in related disciplines such as Philosophy, History, Sociology and Anthropology will be required to take all M.A. taught courses in Religious and Cultural Studies and score at least a C grade to advance, to the Ph.D.
- Candidates (from other universities) whose admission qualifications shows deficiencies in the courses offered as shown in their transcript will be required to take some remedial courses from the courses available in the M.A. programme of the Department and score at least a C grade to advance to the Ph.D.
- In addition to the above, candidates will be required to satisfy the Graduate Studies Panel of the Department at an oral interview before final admission can be offered.
The method of application will be as specified in the School of Graduate Studies Guidelines. Candidates will be admitted for both the full-time and part-time studies.
Department of Religious and Cultural Studies Programme Duration
Students for the Ph.D degree will be required to spend a minimum of three years for full-time studies and a maximum of five years. Candidates for the part-time programme must provide evidence that they will be available for attendance at courses and for regular consultation with their academic supervisors. They will be required to spend a minimum of five years and a maximum of seven years for the PhD degree.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS for Religious and Cultural Studies Programme
- Register for two (2) compulsory courses in General Religious Studies and fur (4) courses in the Specialized Area (3 credit units each) and pass same with at least a C.
- Register and present two (2) Departmental Seminars (3 credit units each) detailing research orientations in the discipline, and pass same with at least a C grade as well as a Faculty Graduate Seminar.
- Pass with at least a C grade, a written comprehensive examination in two (2) papers: one in the major field, the other in a related minor field.
- Present the mandatory seminar to the School of Graduate of Studies.
- Present a well-researched dissertation (6 credit units).
- Defend the dissertation at an oral examination before a Panel of Examiners as stipulated by the School of Graduate Studies.
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