Robert Mugabe School of Heritage and Education

Department of Ethics, Philosophy, Religion and Theology

Module Narration: World Religions and Phenomenology of Religion

Module Code: TDSF 221

Level: 2.2

Office No.20

Lecturer: Dr T. Muyambo

Email: tmuyambo@[Link]

Cell: +263 773 543 029

[Link] DESCRIPTION

This module is designed for the Pre-Service Bachelor of Education

students, and aims to equip them to be able to teach any World Religions
and indigenous Religion component at Secondary school level. This
module provides an in-depth exploration of World Religions from the
perspective of phenomenology of religion. It explores the phenomenology
of religion as a framework for understanding religions, including African
indigenous religions of Zimbabwe. It examines the diverse religious
experiences, practices, beliefs, rituals, ceremonies symbols, religious
expressions sacred places and places of worship across different cultures
analysing them through the lens of phenomenological inquiry. The
module thus emphasizes the study of religion as a lived and embodied
phenomenon. Students will engage in with key concepts, methodologies
and key theories from phenomenology and develop critical analytical
skills to understand the role of religion in human life.

[Link] LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module is designed to produce versatile, reflective and highly
adaptive educators, who can manage learners in any aspect World
Religions studies in High Schools of Zimbabwe, in the region and

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internationally, and thus by the end of the module students should be
able to:
2.1 Define world religion and discuss its criteria of classification
2.2 Understand the fundamental concepts and theories of the
phenomenology of religion and its application to the study of World
Religions and African indigenous religions.

2.3 Examine the phenomenological approach to the study of religion and

its relevance in understanding religious experiences.
2.4 Explore the diversity of religious experiences and expressions across
different world religions.
2.5 Analyze the role of rituals, symbols, myths, and narratives in shaping
religious experiences and beliefs.
2.6 Examine the influence of cultural, social, and historical contexts on
religious practices and expressions.
2.7 Develop critical analytical skills to interpret and evaluate religious
phenomena from a phenomenological perspective.
2.8 Engage in interfaith dialogue and cultivate respect for diverse
religious traditions.
2.9 Reflect on the personal and societal implications of religious
experiences and practices

2.10 Discuss the lived experiences and embodied practices of African

indigenous religions through a phenomenological lens.
2.11 Examine the role of rituals, symbols, and myths in shaping religious
experiences within African indigenous religions.
2.12 Apply concepts and theories of the phenomenology of religion to the
study of African indigenous religions.

3. MODULE CONTENT
3.1 Introduction to the Phenomenology of Religion
o Defining phenomenology and its application in the study of
religion POWERMORE ZHUMO
o Steps, strengths and limitations of the phenomenological
approach in the study of religion MANDA STUART
o Understanding religious experiences and their significance
INNOCENT CHINYAMA
3.2 The World Religions Debate
o Criteria for a world religion status
o Is the criteria inclusive or exclusive?
o World religions or religions of the world?
3.3 Judaism
Jewish religious practices, rituals, and observances MOYO RUGARE
The significance of the covenant, Torah, and Jewish identity VIVIAN
MUCHEKI
Symbols and sacred spaces and places of worship in Judaism
FLORANCE MAHACHI
Exploration of Jewish mysticism (Kabbalah) and its experiential
dimensions ESIA MBEDZI

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3.4 Christianity
Christian religious experiences, sacraments, and worship practices
MBEDZI ESIA
Analysis of Christian symbols and rituals (e.g., baptism, Eucharist), and
liturgical calendar
Sacred spaces and places of worship GIN JAYAGURU

3.5 Islam
Islamic religious beliefs and practices, including the Five Pillars and the
Hajj pilgrimage MUJAYA SILVIA
Analysis of the Quran and its impact on religious experiences
CHINYAMA INNOCENT
Symbols sacred sites and places of worship in Islam ZHUMO
POWERMORE

3.6 Indigenous Religions

The concept of a World Religion and African Tradition Religion as a
World Religion Debate PHIRI HAZEL
Exploration of Zimbabwe indigenous religious experiences, MANDA
STUART
Exploration of indigenous rituals, symbols, myths and cosmologies
PHIRI HAZEL
Analysis of sacred sites/spaces and places of worship,MOYO RUGARE
Analysis of oral traditions, and the significance of nature SYLVIA
MUJAYA

3.7 Religion and the Arts

Understanding the role of music, art, and architecture in religious
experiences VIMBAI
Analysis of religious symbolism, sacred spaces, and religious iconography
FLORANCE

4. INSTRUCTIONAL APPROACHES
Most lectures shall be through:
4.1 Class presentations by students
4.2 Discussions in lectures,
4.3 Assignments, and
4.4 Lectures

5 ASSESSMENT
5.1 Assessment of student’s progress shall be through coursework, end
of semester examination.
5.2 Course work shall consist of at least two assignments or class
presentations, which shall contribute 40% of the final mark. Students are
expected to observe assignments’ due dates.
5.3 Examination shall consist of a Three-hour paper, and shall
contribute 60% of the final mark.

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5.4 A student shall pass the module if s/he obtains 50% or better as an
average of the course work and examination.
6. GRADING
75% + 1 [Distinction]
65% - 74% 2.1 [Upper second class]
60% - 64% 2.2 [Lower second class]
50% - 59% 3 [Third class]
40% - 49% F [Fail within supplementary range]
0% - 39% F Fail
7 ASSIGNMENTS
7.1 Assignment 1: TBA
7.2 Assignment 2: Group Work and class presentations TBA
7.3 Assignment details:
All assignments must be typed, saved as word documents. (The lecturer
will check for plagiarism)
Length of assignments: 1500-2000 words excluding the reference list,
and the cover page.
Students should type their assignments taking cognisance of the
following details:
7.3.1. Font type: Arial; Size 12,
7.3.2. Paragraphs should be justified,
7.3.3. Spacing: 1½ and
7.3.4. Use a cover page.
7.3.5. Consistently and accurately use the APA Referencing Style.
8. EXPECTATIONS
8.1 Students are expected to attend lectures and participate fully in all
lecture activities
8.2 All assignments should be submitted before or on the due date,
time and in the stipulated format.
8.3 students are required to use the APA referencing style,
consistently.
8.4 Students are encouraged to make use of the internet to search for
the current information on any aspect under study.
8.5 Plagiarism, in all its forms is academic misconduct, and students
should avoid it. If there is evidence of plagiarism, the concerned student
will write a report, and disciplinary procedures shall be instituted on the
student
8.5 Students who cheat or copy other students’ work shall be awarded
a 0% mark
8.6 Tablets, cell phones, iPads etc. should be switched off during
lecture times or be put on silent.

9 MODULE RESOURCES

Eliade, M. (1958). The Sacred and the Profane: The Nature of Religion.
Harcourt Brace.
Otto, R. (1950). The Idea of the Holy. Oxford University Press.

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van der Leeuw, G. (1967). Religion in Essence and Manifestation. Beacon
Press.
Smith, J. Z. (1991). Imagining Religion: From Babylon to Jonestown.
University of Chicago Press.
Smart, N. (1998). The World's Religions: Old Traditions and Modern
Transformations. Cambridge University Press.
Armstrong, K. (2000). A History of God: The 4,000-Year Quest of
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Ballantine Books.
King, U. (2001). Religion and Gender. Wiley-Blackwell.
van der Veer, P. (2001). Imperial Encounters: Religion and Modernity in
India and Britain. Princeton University Press.
Orsi, R. (2005). Between Heaven and Earth: The Religious Worlds People
Make and the Scholars Who Study Them. Princeton University Press.
McGuire, M. B. (2008). Lived Religion: Faith and Practice in Everyday
Life. Oxford University Press.
Tweed, T. A. (2008). Crossing and Dwelling: A Theory of Religion.
Harvard University Press.
Stausberg, M. (2009). Contemporary Theories of Religion: A Critical
Companion. Routledge.
Csordas, T. J. (2011). Transnational Transcendence: Essays on Religion
and Globalization. University of California Press.
Joy, M. (2012). Why Religion Matters: An Introduction to the Philosophy
of Religion. Bloomsbury Academic.
King, R. (2012). Orientalism and Religion: Postcolonial Theory, India and
"The Mystic East". Routledge.
King, R., & Woodhead, L. (Eds.). (2013). Religion and Change in Modern
Britain. Routledge.
Possamai, A., & Possamai-Inesedy, A. (Eds.). (2013). Sociology of
Religion for Generations X and Y. Routledge.
Asad, T. (2013). Genealogies of Religion: Discipline and Reasons of
Power in Christianity and Islam. Johns Hopkins University Press.
King, R., & Roudometof, V. (Eds.). (2014). The Post-Secular in Question:
Religion in Contemporary Society. Palgrave Macmillan.
Kripal, J. J. (2014). Comparing Religions: Coming to Terms. Wiley-
Blackwell.
Fitzgerald, T. (2015). Religion and Politics in International Relations: The
Modern Myth. Continuum.
King, U. (2017). Religion, Culture, and Sacred Spaces. Routledge.
Woodhead, L. (2017). Sociology of Religion: A Critical Introduction.
Routledge.
McGuire, M. B. (2018). Religion: The Social Context. Routledge.
King, R., & Yonamine, L. (Eds.). (2019). Handbook of Religion and
Society in the Asia-Pacific. Brill.