Highlights
Executive Dean Meeting with Chairmen of Department: The new Executive Dean Prof David Minja had a meeting with the Chairmen of departments in the school. Als
The School of Law, Arts, and Social Sciences at Ke: The School of Law, Arts, and Social Sciences at Kenyatta University welcomed its new Executive Dean, Prof
LIDERAFRICA Erasmus+ Call KA171: In the process of promoting joint research and dissemination through various initiatives, we are glad to
THE ALL KENYAN MOOT E-JOURNAL LAUNCH: >>>>>>Click here to download the advert Journal of the All Kenyan Moot Court Competiti
THE 32nd Christ of Heyns AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS MOOT: Kenyatta University School of Law participated in this year’s Christof Heyns African Human Rights Moot
THE TOYIN FALOLA AT 70 CONFERENCE: THEME: POST-COLONIAL AFRICA: HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY REALITIES CONFERENCE DATES:  10- 12 MAY 2023
Testdaf and testas examinations: We are pleased to announce that the Kenyatta University Department of Literature, Linguistics and Foreign
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: Chemchemi –International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences ISSN: 1563-1028 Chemchemi-Internati

INTRODUCTION

This programme is carefully designed to apply Theological & Religious theories and principles to interrogate and confront problems, challenges and dilemmas that arise in everyday life, academic and professional contexts. The programme is designed to contribute important skills, knowledge and values in humanities that are responsive to social, economic and political needs of the twenty first century.

PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES

PLO1. Explore the beliefs, doctrines, teachings and practices of African Religion, Christianity and Islam respectively.

PLO2. Explain major contemporary issues and trends in African Religion, Christianity and Islam respectively.

PLO3. Analyze religion as a phenomenon for interpreting and understanding contemporary issues in society.

PLO4. Demonstrate the contribution of religion in socio-economic and political development of society.

PLO5. Implement requisite skills to conduct research within African Religion, Christianity and Islam respectively.

PLO6. Apply skills, values and knowledge acquired through the study of religion for a teaching career in colleges and universities.

 RATIONALE OF THE PROGRAM

Life in the twenty first century poses many novel and dynamic challenges but also opportunities, which require key skills and values and competencies. The  MA (Religious Studies) programme is a market driven course that is more competitive and responsive to the changing needs of the students and the society taking cognizance of this fact, the programme is designed to enhance key competencies, skills and values that are responsive to the global challenges facing humanity in the contemporary society in line with the relevant theological perspective. They include: climate change, violence, pandemics, terrorism, among others.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

To qualify for admission to the Master of Arts (Religious Studies) programme the applicant should have attained at least:

Minimum requirement

The common regulations for all Master Degrees in the University shall apply.

To qualify for admission to the Master of Arts (Religious Studies) programme, the applicant should have attained a minimum of Bachelor of Education, Second Class Honours (Upper Division) degree in Religious Studies or Bachelor of Arts with specialization in Religious Studies or Theology from any recognized institution of higher learning. A student should specialize in any of the following three areas:

  • African Religion
  • Christianity
  • Islam

Alternative requirement

Lower second class in Religious Studies at undergraduate level with a two year post-graduation relevant working experience.

 

MODE AND STRUCTURE OF DELIVERY

 The mode of delivery of this programme will be blended learning, which involves both face-to face interactions and online teaching through Kusoma online teaching platform. The online learning will include e-tivities, discussion forums, chats, quizzes and assignments.

 

PROGRAMME DURATION

The programme takes two academic years.

Year 1: Course work

  • Semester 1 (5 units)- Total number of contact hours-195
  • Semester 2 (4 units)- Total number of contact hours-195

Year 2: Research

  • Development of research proposal, research, data analysis and Thesis writing

Duration of the Programme

Programme

                Duration in Years

Total Lecture hours

Course Units per semester

1.      M.A (Religious Studies)

1 Year 6 months (18 Months)

390

5

 

CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS

List of the core and elective courses of the programme

 

School Common Course

AMC 800        Research Methodology                                               (39 hours)

Departmental Common Courses

ARE 800         Theory and Method in the Study of Religion              (39 hours)

ARE 801         Phenomenology of Religion                                       (39 hours)

 

SPECIALIZATIONS

I: African Religion

Core Courses

ARE 802         African Religious Worldview                                    (39 hours)

ARE 803         Sources of African Religion and Culture                   (39 hours)

Electives

ARE 804         Rites of Passage in African Religion                          (39 hours)

ARE 805         Ethics and Morality in African Religion                    (39 hours)

ARE 806         Religion and Customary Law in Africa                     (39 hours)

ARE 807         Religious Specialists in African Religion                   (39 hours)

ARE 808         African Religion and Political movements                 (39 hours)

ARE 809         African Religion, Witchcraft and Magic                    (39 hours)

ARE 810         African Religion in Literary Works                            (39 hours)

ARE 811         Gender in African Religion and Culture                    (39 hours)

ARE 812         African Religion and Other Religions                        (39 hours)

ARE 813         Continuity and Change in African Religion and Culture (39 hours)

ARE 814         Rituals and Ceremonies in African Religion              (39 hours)

ARE 815         African Religion in the Diaspora                                (39 hours)

ARE 816         History of African Religion                                        (39 hours)

ARE 817         Seminar Paper                                                             (39 hours)

 

II: Christianity

Core Courses

ARE 837         World Christianity I - From Apostolic Origins to 1453(39 hours)

ARE 838         World Christianity II - From 1453 ACE to the Present (39 hours)

Electives

ARE 817         Seminar Paper                                                             (39 hours)

ARE 828         Methods of Biblical Textual Studies                          (39 hours)

ARE 829         Christian Initiation and Rites                                      (39 hours)

ARE 830         Christian Worship                                                       (39 hours)

ARE 831         Theological Methods                                                  (39 hours)

ARE 832         Intertestamental Period                                               (39 hours)

ARE 833         Pauline Theology                                                        (39 hours)

ARE 834         Johannine Theology                                                    (39 hours)

ARE 835         Apocalyptic Literature and Eschatology                    (39 hours)

ARE 836         Deuteronomic History                                                (39 hours)

ARE 840         Contemporary Theology                                            (39 hours)

ARE 841         Christianity and Society                                             (39 hours)

ARE 842         Gender and Theology                                                  (39 hours)

ARE 843         Theology and Ecology                                                (39 hours)

ARE 854         The Synoptic Gospels                                                 (39 hours)

 

III: Islam

Core Courses

ARE 844         Study of the Glorious Qur’an                                                 (39 hours)

ARE 845         Study of Hadith and Sunnah                                                   (39 hours)

Electives

ARE 802         African Religious Worldview                                                 (39 hours)

ARE 817         Seminar Paper                                                                         (39 hours)

ARE 846         Theology and Principles of Fiqh                                            (39 hours)

ARE 847         Modern Trends in Islam                                                         (39 hours)

ARE 848         Social Structure in Islam and its Practices                              (39 hours)

ARE 849         Philosophical Movements in Islam                                         (39 hours)

ARE 850         Dynamic changes in Islam in the 19th and 20th centuries       (39 hours)

ARE 851         Islam in East Africa                                                                (39 hours)

ARE 852         Muslim Thought and Practice                                                 (39 hours)

ARE 853         Introduction to Qur’anic Arabic                                             (39 hours)

ARE 854         Sharia and Sufism                                                                   (39 hours)

ARE 855         Women in Muslim Communities                                            (39 hours)

 

Description of thesis/dissertation/Project (as applicable)

  1. A thesis is a long essay or dissertation involving original research by a candidate in partial fulfillment for the award of a postgraduate degree
  2. The Master of Arts (Religious Studies) thesis will be in a field or area of choice of the student with the guidance of the postgraduate studies committee and supervisors. The thesis will be an in-depth investigation of a Religious/Theological issue that contributes to knowledge in the area and demonstrate relevance to the society. The student will be assigned two supervisors in the in the field of study to guide in the development of the proposal and the thesis.
  3. A thesis will include at least the following areas: the topic, literature review, theoretical framework, methodology, key findings and recommendations.
  4. The thesis goes through several phases to ensure relevance and quality. The phases include: concept paper presentation to the postgraduate studies committee; proposal presentation to the department with a discussant from school of Law, Arts and Social Sciences; thesis examination by two internal examiners and one external examiner; oral examination of thesis by a panel which includes the chairman who is the Executive Dean of the School, three examiners, two board members, two supervisors and a representative of senate.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

  • Lecturing at university and other tertiary institutions
  • Human rights organizations
  • Nongovernmental organizations
  • Civil service
  • Research Organizations
  • Social political activism
  • Administrative jobs with the Ministry of Education

TUITION AND FEE STRUCTURE

Payments of application fees

  • All applicants will pay a non-refundable fee as stipulated in the application form
  • Masters (East Africans)=KSh 3000

Masters International students

  • USD 50

Tuition and Fee Structure:

Full Time ;Fees ksh.246,000=  Per year

 Digital Learning  ksh.246,000 Per year 

Continuing Education Program  ksh.246,000 Per year  

Non East Africans ksh.307,500 Per year

 

WHY CHOOSE THIS PROGRAMME AT KENYATTA UNIVERSITY?

Kenyatta University is a centre of excellence in teaching, learning and research, boasting of cutting edge facilities, equipment and research materials to facilitate and enhance the quality of teaching, learning and research

The Master of Arts programme in Religious Studies is well aligned with the currents trends in the field and is taught by highly qualified faculty who also committed to help the student complete the programme within the stipulated time.

Details