NEW SYLLABUS

William V. S. Tubman University

Harper, Maryland County

Republic of Liberia

NEW SYLLABUS (Oct. 2011)

Course Number       : HIST 101

Course Title               : Liberian History

Course Description    : This course is designed to give first year students an in-depth look at the major themes and events in Liberian history and historiography. We will be examining the time period from the early population migrations during the 15^th Century, through the colonial and independence eras until the end of the Cold War and the beginning of the Liberian Civil War in 1990. The course focuses on inter-sectional cooperation, conflict and conflict resolution within the written record over time as well as Liberia’s place within regional and world history.   

Course Credits: 3 credits

 Pre-requisites  : none

Course Objectives  : This course aims to:

1. Improve students’ critical reading and analytical thinking skills.

2. Give students’ practice with writing assignments at the university level.

3. Expose students to primary and secondary historical documents.

4. Bring history to life vis-a-vis interesting readings, film clips, in-class debates, a local field trip and (possibly) guest speakers.

Learning Objectives: By the end of the semester the students should be able to:

1. Identify the major periods, personalities and issues within Liberian history.

2. Write a thoughtful two-page reaction paper to a historical text.

3. Perform well on quizzes and exams covering in-class lecture material.

4. Employ critical thinking skills and analytical skills to the discipline of history.

5. Form a deeper understanding of and greater appreciation for Liberian history.

Academic Integrity Statement:

The quality of education at WVSTU is reflected in the credits and degrees its students earn. The protection of these high standards is crucial since the validity and equity of the institution’s grades and degrees depend upon it. The penalty of any student found guilty of infraction of a regulation for academic integrity shall range from warning, course failure, possible suspension, or both; and or expulsion, unless evidence is provided to convince an appeal committee that substantial mitigating circumstances existed in that student’s offense.

Attendance Policy:  Attendance will be taken during each class session. Students who arrive more than 30 minutes late (after the class is more than half over) will be considered absent. Good attendance and participation will positively affect the student’s final grade, whereas poor attendance will have a negative impact. After a total of 9 unexcused absences the student will be officially dropped from the class roll.

Grading Criteria: The final exam is 20% of the final grade. The midterm exam is also worth 20% of the final grade. The cumulative quizzes comprise 10% of the final grade. Each of the four writing assignments is worth 10% of the final grade (for a sub-total of 40%). Finally, attendance and class participation is 10% of the final grade. 

Grading System: A = 90-100 (excellent), B = 80-89 (good), C = 70-79 (average), D = 60-69 (below average), F = below 60 (failure)  

Course Outline:

Time Frame                                      Topics                                       Assignments & Activities           

Week 1              Liberian Historiographical introduction and issues                              

Week 2              Pre-Liberia, Kru Mariners, Islam in Liberia           Reading #1, Quiz #1

Week 3              Transatlantic Slave Trade, ACS History                 Reading #2

Week 4              Colonial Era History, Agricultural History            Paper #1, Quiz #2

Week 5              Commonwealth Period, Independence Era            Reading #3, Quiz #3

Week 6              Freedperson’s Experience, Settler Reports (1850s)

Week 7              Liberian Frontier Force, Black Zion, TWP            Paper #2, Reading #4, Quiz #4

Week 8              Hinterland Pacification, Rubber Concessions        Reading #5, Quiz #5

Week 9              Labor Scandal of the King Era (1930s)

Week 10            World War 2 & Tubman Era Developments

Week 11            Politics and Labor History of the Tolbert Era        Reading #6, Quiz #6, Paper #3

Week 12           Cold War and Post-Coup Liberia (1980s) 

Week 13            Women’s History through Autobiography             Paper #4

Midterm Exam = Fri. Oct. 28^th

Final Exam = Mon. Dec. 12^th (tentative dates)

Ducor Contract Primary Document (Original Re-typed)

The text of the original…              DUCOR CONTRACT                                       (Dec. 15, 1821)

“KNOW ALL MEN, that this contract, made on the fifteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-one, between King Peter, King George, King Zoda and King Long Peter, their Princes, and Head-men, of the one part: and Captain Robert F. Stockton and Eli Ayres of the other part; WITNESSETH, That whereas certain citizens of the United States of America are desirous to establish themselves on the Western Coast of Africa, and have invested Captain Robert F. Stockton and Eli Ayres with full powers to treat with and purchase from the said Kings, Princes, and Head-men certain lands, viz: Dozoa Island, and also all that portion of land bounded north and west by the Atlantic Ocean, and on the south and east by a line drawn in a south-east direction from the north of Mesurado river, WE, the said Kings, Princes, and Head-men, being fully convinced of the Pacific and just views of the said citizens of America, and being desirous to reciprocate the friendship and affection expressed to us and our people, DO HEREBY, in consideration of so much paid in hand, viz: Six muskets, one box Beads, two hogsheads Tobacco, one cask Gunpowder, six bars Iron, ten iron Pots, one dozen Knives and Forks, one dozen Spoons, six pieces blue Baft, four Hats, three Coats, three pair Shoes, one box Pipes, one keg Nails, twenty Looking-glasses, three pieces Handkerchiefs, three pieces Calico, three Canes, four Umbrellas, one box Soap, one barrel Rum; And to be paid, the following: three casks Tobacco, one box Pipes, Three barrels Rum, Twelve pieces Cloth, six bars Iron, one box Beads, fifty Knives, twelve Guns, three barrels Gunpowder, one dozen Plates, one dozen Knives and Forks, twenty Hats, five casks Beef, five barrels Pork, ten barrels Biscuit, twelve Decanters, twelve glass Tumblers, and fifty Shoes, FOR EVER CEDE AND RELINQUISH the above described Lands, with all thereto appertaining or belonging, or reputed to so belong, to Captain Robert F. Stockton and Eli Ayres, TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said premises for the use of the said Citizens of America. And WE, the said Kings and Princes and Head-men, do further pledge ourselves that we are the lawful owners of the above described Land, without manner of conditions, limitations, or other matter.“The contracting Parties pledge themselves to live in peace and friendship for ever; and do further agree to build for the use of the said Citizens of America, six large houses, on any place selected by them within the above described tract of ceded land.

“IN WITNESS whereof, the said Princes, Kings and Head-men of the one part; and Captain Robert Stockton and Eli Ayres of the other part; do set their hands to this covenant, on the day and year above written.

(Signed) King Peter X his mark, King George X his mark, King Zoda X his mark, King Long Peter X his mark, King Governor X his mark, King Jimmy X his mark, Captain Robert F. Stockton, Eli Ayres, M.D.

“Witness (signed) John S. Mill, John Craig