Introduction

The Salvatorian Institute of Philosophy and Theology Diploma in African Studies is a multi-disciplinary program focusing on some important themes regarding Africa in particular and the contemporary world affairs in general. Its aim is to equip students with knowledge regarding Africa under the following themes though not limited only to these alone: social, cultural, political, economical, development, demographical, environment, and religion. The program also enables students to develop a critical and analytical approach to the aforementioned themes. The Diploma in African Studies imparts to students methodology and training necessary to undertake and articulate a broad-based multi-disciplinary study of contemporary African themes.

The Diploma in African Studies allows flexibility in course choice, while at the same time focusing on core interdisciplinary areas of African Studies. These courses are intended mainly for students enrolled in The Salvatorian Institute of Philosophy and Theology undergraduate program. Nonetheless, the program is open and receives other students so long as they meet the required entrance qualification. The program prepares students by giving them good adequate skills, a firm foundation and a good base for further studies in other institutions of higher learning.

Academic Requirements

1. For admission to the Diploma Program candidates must:
   • have successfully completed their secondary education and be eligible for further studies in an accredited university in their country or abroad;
   • have the recommendation of their religious superior, if they belong to a religious order, or of the respective authority as recognized by The Salvatorian Institute of Philosophy and Theology;
   • have sufficient knowledge of English language. The applicant must pass The Salvatorian Institute of Philosophy and Theology English screening exam.
2. Applications forms are available at the Registrar's office. Those forms are to be duly filled in and returned to the same office before the deadline mentioned on them. They should be accompanied by copies of Form IV & VI Certificates and results. The concerned competent authority must certify each copy.
3. All applications and official transcripts are to be forwarded to the Registrar's office.

Academic Assessment

1. Examination procedures and calculation of final grades for the courses are as follows: a test (20% of the total), an assignment (20%) and the semester final exam (60%). In addition the long essay accounts for six credits and 40% of the final aggregate.
2. There is an ordinary exam session; i.e., the session scheduled in the academic calendar for all students, and an extraordinary exam session for repetition (to be scheduled within 20 days after the next semester begins). In case the student fails the repeat examination one has to take the last chance exam (before a commission appointed by the Head of the Program) within 20 class days.
3. A student who repeats an examination may not be awarded a grade higher than 60%.
4. A student who fails one or more exams of the core courses in the normal session does not get a chance to take repetition exams and has to repeat the whole semester (or year).
5. A student, who fails the commission exam, won't get the corresponding credit and, consequently, will be obliged to study the concerned subject again.

Course Organization and Course Duration

The Salvatorian Institute of Philosophy and Theology Diploma in African Studies is a One year program for ordinary students and two years for part - time students. Students taking The Diploma in African Studies are required to take two core courses, each worth 2 credits. The first semesters' courses provides a conceptual and theoretical overview of African Studies themes and the second semester courses will utilize these concepts and theories to analyze practical, contemporary issues and challenges in Africa. Students will normally choose another 6 options (of 2 units each) up to a total of 12 credits. In addition the long essay accounts for six credits.

The course of study for part-time Diploma candidates will be two years. In each year, the students will take not less than four courses. The student must also submit a long essay for examination before the end of the second semester of the second year.

Core Courses (obligatory for all students) and Optional Courses - 60 %

African Studies in The Salvatorian Institute of Philosophy and Theology draws from a wide range of disciplines such as ethics, politics, economics, history, environmental studies, social anthropology, education, law, philosophy, theology and religious studies. These give students a wide range of ways of thinking about African issues. The core courses integrate theory and practice across these important disciplines and build students' analytical, research and presentation skills towards the research work on the long essay at the end of the course

1. African Philosophy and Culture (2)
2. Religious and Philosophical Thought in Africa (2)

Options

Students should choose six options, up to a total of 12 credits:

• Africa: Methodological and Practical Issues (2)
• Africa in International Politics (2)
• New Indigenous Religious Movements (2)
• Indigenous Religions: Sub-Saharan Africa (2)
• Ethnicity, Class and Power in Twentieth-Century Africa 1 (2)
• Ethnicity, Class and Power in Twentieth-Century Africa 2 (2)
• Slavery, Forced Labour and Identity in African History (2)
• Guided Readings in African Studies (2)
• Society and Development (2)
• Gender and Development (2)
• African Culture and Health (2)
• Rural Development (2)
• Environment and Development (2)
• International Development (2)
• African Studies: Theoretical and Conceptual Underpinnings (2)
• Contemporary African Issues and Debates (2)
• African Religion Interprets the Bible (2)
• African Feminist/Womanists Theology: A Source for African Christian Theology (2)
• Towards the Inculturation of Religious Life in Africa (2)
• African Christian Theology (2)
• Gospel and Culture: The African Experience (2)
• African Marriage and Family: Challenge and Change (2)
• Justice and Peace in Africa (2)
• Church in Contemporary Africa: Social, Political and Economic Situation (2)
• African Independent Churches: Authentic Integration with or Separation from Christianity (2)
• Sage Philosophy (2)
• African Ethics (2)
• African Political Philosophy (2)

Please note that not all courses are on offer each year.

Long Essay - 6 Credits - 40 %

The long essay constitutes the main work in which students demonstrate the extent to which they have achieved ability for independent research and study. The long essay should not be less than 30 pages in length. For students taking the Diploma in African Studies, it is a discrete piece of research.

Fee

The charges for the Academic Year 2009/10 are 440,000 TZS per year

© 2005 Salvatorian Institute of Philosophy and Theology, Morogoro, Tanzania
Last update: May 15, 2009