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MIAS ADJUNCT FACULTY LIST

Typical MIAS class

Listed here are the current Adjunct faculty for the Maryknoll Institute of African Studies Programs. Click any of the discipline categories to jump to the corresponding list of faculty:

SOCIAL SCIENTISTS

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Professor Paul P. W. Achola, Ph.D. Social Foundations of Education

Teaches: 

1. African Marriage and Family: Challenge and Change

2. African Cultures: An Overview 

3. Sociology of Development/Underdevelopment in African Religion

4. Ideology and Practice of Health Ministry in Contemporary Africa: Traditional and Western

 

Curriculum Vitae:

Prof. Paul Achola is a Research Professor based at Kenyatta University. He has a Ph.D. in Social Foundations of Education from the University of Iowa, an MA in Political Science from the University of Iowa, an MA in Political Sociology from the University of Nairobi, and a B.A. from University of Nairobi. He was the former chairman of the Department of Sociology at Kenyatta University.

Professor Edward Oyugi, Ph.D. Psychology
Teaches: 

1. Contemporary Political and economic Changes in Kenya

2. African Cultures: An Overview 

3. Sociology of Development/Underdevelopment in African Religion

4. Justice and Peace in East Africa

Curriculum Vitae:
Professor  Edward A. Oyugi holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in the area of Psychology, Education Psychology, Pedagogics and Social Psychology from University of Cologne (German) (1963-71). He was a visiting professor at Bayreuth University (Germany) in African Studies (1985-87). He is currently an associate professor at Kenyatta University.

Professor Douglas Waruta, Ed.D. Philosophy of Christian Education
Teaches: 

1. African Traditional Religion Interprets the Bible

2. African Christian Theology: Historical and Systematic Development 

Curriculum Vitae:
Douglas Wanjohi Waruta is an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, University of Nairobi. After gaining his B.A. in Philosophy and Religious studies from Hardin-Simmons University Abilene-Texas, he returned to Kenya and joined the University of Nairobi for an M.A. program in Biblical studies (1976). He received his Ed.D. in Philosophy of Christian Education from Southwestern Seminary, Fort Worth-Texas (1980). He is currently the chairman, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, University of Nairobi. 

Professor  Mary Getui, Ph.D. Religious Education
Teaches: 

1. African Cultures: An Overview

2. African Marriage and Family: Challenge and Change

3. Gospel and Culture: The African Experience

Curriculum Vitae:
Prof.  Mary N. Getui is a lecturer at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. She is a former Dean of the School of Humanities and Social sciences, Kenyatta University. She has been the Coordinator of the Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians (EATWOT) Africa Region. She is also the treasurer of the Association of Theological Institutions in Eastern Africa (ATIEA). She is actively involved in the activities of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians. She has published widely in the area of African culture, gender issues, religion and society.

Dr Joan Burke, Ph.D. Anthropology

Teaches:  Towards the Inculturation of Religious Community Life in Africa

         Curriculum Vitae:

Dr. Joan Burke has a Ph.D. in Social Anthropology from Oxford University.  She is a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur, is an American by birth and has been resident in Africa since 1971.  Her doctoral thesis was on the evolving African expression of religious life based on eight years of experience and field research in Lower Zaire (1980-1988).  She has had a long-time interest in the dynamics of inculturation in Africa.  She is presently working in an NGO position at the United Nations in New York and in 2001published a book titled: Towards the Inculturation of Religious Life in Africa, Paulines Publications, Nairobi.

Dr Hassan Mwakimako, Ph.D. Islamic Studies
Teaches: Introduction to Islam in East Africa

Curriculum Vitae:
Dr. Hassan Mwakimako did his B.A. and M.A. studies at the University of Nairobi. He was appointed lecturer in Islamics upon his completion of the M.A. degree. He received his Ph.D. in Islamic studies in  May 2003 from  the University of Cape Town, Republic of South Africa. He is one of the beneficiaries of a cooperation program between University of Nairobi and the University of Cape Town. He has been a visiting lecturer at Hekima College and Moi University.

Dr. Michael Katola, Ph.D. Religious Studies
Teaches: 

1. African Traditional Religion: Major Beliefs, Practices and Contemporary Forms

2. Moral Teachings and Practices of African Traditional Religion

3. African Culture: An Overview

Curriculum Vitae:
Dr. Michael Katola is a Lecturer and a former chairman in the Department of Religious Studies, Kenyatta University. He got a B. Ed. (Arts) from the University of Nairobi, MA and Ph.D. both from Kenyatta University. Apart from wide experience in teaching, he has also done research and published on the Akamba Ethnic group and contemporary issues.

Dr. Cyprian Kavivya, Ph.D. Religious Studies
Teaches: Advanced Field Research Principles and Practice

Curriculum Vitae:
Dr. Cyprian Kavivya, Executive Assistant to the Director holds a B.A. and M.A. from the University of Nairobi. He is currently a lecturer at Kenyatta University and received his Ph.D. in Religious Studies in October 2003. Dr. Kavivya  has worked in the program since 1993.

Dr. Zacharia Wanakacha Samita, Ph.D. Religious Studies
Teaches: Foundational Field Research Principles and Practice

Curriculum Vitae:
Dr. Zacharia Wanakacha Samita, Personal Assistant to the Director holds a B.Ed from the University of Nairobi and an M.A and Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Kenyatta University. The latter was awarded in December 2004. He has extensive teaching, research and publishing experience. He has contributed academically in various journals and presented research papers in various national and international forums. He is currently a lecturer at Kenyatta University. Dr. Samita has worked in the program since 1993. 

THEOLOGIANS

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Dr. Laurenti Magesa, Ph.D. Moral Theology
Teaches: 

1. Moral Teachings and Practices of African Traditional Religion

2. African Traditional Religion: Major Beliefs, Practices and Contemporary Forms

3. Gospel and Culture: The African Experience

Curriculum Vitae:
Dr. Laurenti Magesa: Ph.D. (University of Ottawa, Canada) D.Th. (St. Paul University, Canada). Former lecturer and Head of Department of Religious Studies at CHIEA. In 1991, he was a  Scholar-in-Residence and lecturer at Maryknoll School of Theology, New York. He is the author of The Church and Liberation in AfricaAfrican Religion: The Moral Traditions of Abundant Life; and Anatomy of Inculturation: Transforming the Church in Africa, Co-author of Christian Marriage in Africa, Co-Editor of Jesus in African Christianity and has written numerous articles. 

Dr. Peter Mpagi, Ph.D. Liturgical Theology
Teaches: African Christian Theology: Historical and Systematic Development

Curriculum Vitae:
Dr. Mpagi is the Head of Department of Religious Studies at Kyambogo University, Uganda. Prior to this he was the chairman of the department of Religious Studies, University of Nairobi, Kikuyu campus, and a senior lecturer at the Kenyatta University in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies. He received his B.A. in Theology from Urbaniana University (Rome) and his Ph.D. with specialization in Liturgical Theology from the Institute of St. Anselm - Rome. He has done pastoral work, lectured in a Major seminary, has been the administrator of church schools and has done research on Baganda traditional rites in relation to Liturgy. He has recently published a book based on the material of this course titled: African Christian Theology: In the Contemporary Context.

INTERDISCIPLINARY LECTURERS

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Professor Michael Kirwen, Ph.D. Interdisciplinary Studies
Teaches: 

1. MIAS unique educational method focused on transformation of participants

2. Foundational Field Research Principles and Practice

3. Cross-cultural studies

Curriculum Vitae:
Professor Michael C. Kirwen is the founder and director of the MIAS program. He has engaged in pastoral work and academic research among the Luo people in Tanzania since 1963. He was awarded an interdisciplinary doctorate in Theology and Anthropology from University of St. Michael's College, Toronto (1972). He has taught cross cultural theology and pastoral acculturation both in East Africa and in the United States. 

HUMANITY LECTURERS

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Prof. Eric Masinde Aseka
Teaches: Contemporary Political and Economic Realities in Kenya

Curriculum Vitae:
Prof. Eric Aseka is a professor at Nairobi International school of Theology/International leadership university , Kenya. He was a professor of Political history and Political economy, department of History Kenyatta University. He was a senior Fulbright scholar in residence at Kennesaw state university, Atlanta, Georgia in 2006.He holds a Bed in History and Literature in English from University of Nairobi, MA in History from the same institution and a PhD in History from Kenyatta University.  

Dr. Frederick Ochieng'-Odhiambo, Ph.D. Philosophy
Teaches: Sage Philosophy: The Root of African Philosophy and Religion

Curriculum Vitae:
Dr. Ochieng'-Odhiambo has been a member of the University of Nairobi in the Department of Philosophy since 1985. He was the secretary of the local organizing committee that successfully hosted the World Futures Studies Federation (WFSF) Conference in Nairobi in 1989. This was the first and only time that WFSF has held a conference in Africa South of the Sahara. He received his B.A (hons), M.A. and Ph.D from the University of Nairobi. He has written widely in the areas of social political philosophy and African philosophy. He is a leading scholar in sage philosophy.

Dr. Kithure Kindiki, Ph.D. International Law
Teaches: Justice and Peace in East Africa

Curriculum Vitae:
Dr. Kithure Kindiki is a Lecturer of Law at the University of Nairobi. He is also an Adjunct lecturer, centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, South Africa and the United States International University, Nairobi. He has a bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from Moi University, Kenya, a Master of Laws (LLM) in international Human rights law and a Ph.D. in international Law from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. He has published fifteen articles in peer-reviewed journals and acted as a consultant for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other national and international organizations. He has been an acting Dean of the faculty of Law, University of Nairobi and chairman of the Department of Public Law on several occasions. He is currently the coordinator of the Parallel Degree Programmes at the Faculty of Law, University of Nairobi.

Dr. Oriare Nyarwath, PhD Philosophy
Teaches: Sage Philosophy: The Root of African Philosophy and Religion

Curriculum Vitae:
Dr Oriare Nyarwath is a lecturer in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, University of Nairobi. He has a PhD in Philosophy, Master of Arts degree in Philosophy and  Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Philosophy from the University of Nairobi. He teachers part time at Apostles of Jesus Seminary, Lang'ata and Consolata Institute of Philosophy, Nairobi. 

Drs. Hubert Pinto, PhD Candidate, Psychology
Teaches: Spirituality, Personhood and Psychotherapy in an African Context

Curriculum Vitae:
Drs. Hubert Pinto is the Director of the Institute of Youth Ministry in Tangaza College. He has an M.A. in Counseling Psychology with emphasis on Marriage and Family from University of San Fransisco , Bachelors of Theology from Tangaza College- Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Bachelor of Arts in Economics from North-Eastern Hill University, Bachelor of Philosophy from Jnanodaya Salesian College and is currently pursuing a PhD in Psychology at Kenyatta University, Kenya.  

 

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