AADS 2400 Ifa: an Indigenous African Literary & Divinatory Tradition
This course dives into the sacred oral literature of an Indigenous West African thought system known as Ifa. We will explore the structure of the verses and the divinities who feature there. An in-depth reading of several stories will provide cultural context for major themes such as the concepts of personhood and character, predestination, the role of women, and respect for nature. We will also discuss four divination systems that arise out of Ifa.
Course overview
- Department
- African and African Diaspora Studies
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Periodically
Requirements fulfilled
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.28 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.40 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 4
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | Michelle Abimbola | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 1–3 hrs/week | 17 of 20 |
| Fall 2024 | Michelle Abimbola | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4–6 hrs/week | 11 of 13 |
| Spring 2024 | Michelle Abimbola | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 1–3 hrs/week | 23 of 25 |
| Fall 2021 | Michelle Mcelwaine | 4.7 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 1–3 hrs/week | 6 of 11 |