AADS 1114 When Gods Begin Again: Intro to African and African Diaspora Religions
This introductory course examines Indigenous African and African Diaspora religions from an interdisciplinary perspective. We explore Yorùbá and other African religions, along with African Christianity, Islam, Haitian Vodou, Cuban Santería, Brazilian Candomblé, Sango Baptist of Trinidad and Tobago, Rastafari and Obeah of Jamaica, Black American conjure, and Oyotunji Village. Important themes of religions in Africa and the Afro-Atlantic Diaspora are addressed, such as: the veneration of God (s), Spirit (s), Ancestors, and the natural world; divination, initiation, sacred space, and healing; the impact of slavery on conversion and continuity; fetish as a colonial construct; globalization, race, gender, and power. Ultimately, this course encourages students to reevaluate their understanding of Africana religions, recognize diverse cultural practices and ritual knowledge systems, and engage with oral, written and audio/visual texts that underscore the values of these traditions.
Course overview
- Department
- African and African Diaspora Studies
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Periodically in the Fall, Periodically in the Spring
Catalog details
- Satisfies core
- Cultural Diversity
Requirements fulfilled
- African and African Diaspora Studies: AADS electives at the 1000 level (at most two of the eight electives) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- International Studies: Concentration: Ethics and Social Justice – approved courses (six courses in one concentration) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- University Core: Cultural Diversity (All undergraduates)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.17 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.36 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 10
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Michelle Abimbola | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 1–3 hrs/week | 23 of 25 |
| Fall 2025 | Michelle Abimbola | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.2 | 1–3 hrs/week | 30 of 34 |
| Spring 2025 | Michelle Abimbola | 4.0 | 4.2 | 3.8 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 3.8 | 1–3 hrs/week | 21 of 26 |
| Fall 2024 | Michelle Abimbola | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.2 | 1–3 hrs/week | 24 of 28 |
| Spring 2024 | Michelle Abimbola | 4.3 | 4.4 | 3.8 | 4.0 | 3.8 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 1–3 hrs/week | 21 of 24 |
| Fall 2023 | Michelle Abimbola | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 19 of 23 |
| Spring 2023 | Michelle Mcelwaine | 4.1 | 4.4 | 3.7 | 4.1 | 3.9 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 1–3 hrs/week | 19 of 24 |
| Fall 2022 | Michelle Mcelwaine | 4.0 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 4.3 | 3.6 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 3.4 | 1–3 hrs/week | 22 of 28 |
| Spring 2022 | Michelle Mcelwaine | 4.3 | 4.7 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 4.8 | 3.6 | ≤ 1 hr/week | 9 of 25 |
| Fall 2021 | Kyrah Daniels | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 1–3 hrs/week | 17 of 29 |
Data freshness
Instructors
Sections
- Section 01
- Section 01