BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT

Originally called the Crowther College of Theology, the Department came into existence with the University in 1960, and, in keeping with the philosophy of the University, remains attached to the Faculty of the Social Sciences. This is in itself a notable distinction and the Department has emphasized the application of religious truth to the environment and its place in Nigerian society.

Its philosophy is one with that of the University: to restore the dignity of man. It is concerned with religious aspect of man in society, especially the black man in third world. Religion is studied in its three areas of expression in Nigeria namely: Judeo-Christian, African and Islamic.

It started with offering a B.A degree with emphasis on any two of the three stress areas. After the civil war it continued offering an initial degree (B.A) and later undergraduate diploma in Religious Studies and Postgraduate degree at Masters and Doctorate levels with emphasis on Christian Religious Studies. It became one of the service units in offering courses for regular and sandwich B.Ed. degree programmes in Education/ Religion. However, in 2005, the Diploma Programme was scrapped off the undertakings of the Department.

The Department has developed considerably over the years in terms of variety and levels of courses and programmes being offered. Some theological institutions are affiliated to the department namely, Trinity College, Umuahia; Wesley International Theological Seminary Lagos, and Spiritan International School of Theology, Attakwu, Enugu. The quality of teaching staff recruited has also considerably improved to meet the growth of the department, but the number of teaching staff needs improvement. The Department also offers Combined Honours degree in the following areas; Religious and Cultural Studies/ Archaeology and Tourism, Religious and Cultural Studies/ English & Literary Studies, Religious and Cultural Studies/ History & International Relations, Religious and Cultural Studies/ Public Administration & Local Government, Religious and Cultural Studies/ Social Work, Religious and Cultural Studies/ Sociology & Anthropology.