The Challenges of Teaching and Learning Sociology of Religion in Nigeria

The teaching and learning of Sociology of Religion in Nigeria face some grave challenges. As an academic discipline in religious studies, many who teach this specialized discipline are not experts. This makes Sociology of Religion anybody’s game which does not promote sound scholarship, creativity and intellectual stimulation in the teaching and learning of the discipline. Similarly, the study of the whole society from the perspective of religion calls for a disciplined study, comparable knowledge and systematic relationships between the various groups and their effects on institutions in Nigeria. It is the purpose of this paper to identify the challenges, analyze them and suggest functional ways of re-positioning and improving the teaching and learning of Sociology of Religion. The practical involvement of religion in societal functions is open to the complementary role of primary and sociological approaches. Sociology of Religion has a clear scope, scientific methodology and identifiable challenges such as lack of specialists, basic texts, instructional materials, and funds. However, proper training,registration and membership of the proposed National Association of Sociologists of Religion (NASOR), floating and subscribing to the Journal of Sociology of Religion and dialogue are brief statements of recommendation aimed at improving the teaching and learning of Sociology of Religion in Nigeria.