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Dorothy Akubue-Brice, Ph.D.
Professor of History
(434) 544-8332
akubue-brice@lynchburg.edu

Experience/ Background

  • I spent two years at Maseno University College where I taught African history, Kenyan history and Themes in East African history.
  • I trained and supervised students to become teachers for the Republic of Kenya.
  • I conducted my archival and oral dissertation research on Evangelism and Western Education.
  • I taught an African American Seminar course at West Virginia University in the African American Certificate Program, Center for Black Culture, Morgantown, West Virginia.
  • I taught survey courses in African history and African American history at West Virginia Wesleyan, Buckhannon, West Virginia.  
  • Member of the Lynchburg College Educational Policies Committee, International Relations Committee, General Education Sub-Committee, Teacher Preparation Council, and the Coalition for A Caring Community and member of the Spiritual Life Chaplain's Advisory Committee.
  • Advisor to Phi Alpha Theta.
  • Advisor to the Re Joyce in Jesus Campus Fellowship.
  • Advisor to the Freshman class.
  • Active instructor and lecturer in the General Education Senior Symposium Readings program.
  • Member of faculty-student thesis committees for Economics and Business, Political Science and History.
  • Judge for the National History Day High School Contest.
  • Volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Virginia.
  • Volunteer for the American Red Cross Blood Donor Program, Chaplain and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
  • Motivational speaker, educational consultant, Civil Rights activist

Degrees and Certifications

  • B.S. in Social Science 1964
    Bluefield State College

  • M.A. in Social Studies 1982
    Marshall University

  • Ph.D. in History African and African American 1995
    West Virginia University

Information on Courses Taught

History is a bridge to the past, present and the future of the diverse and globalized world that we are now living. History is a door of opportunity for understanding the past and the present. Through the study of history we become aware of, understand and learn to appreciate the cultures of others by walking in their shoes as we answer many questions. Recently, the question that has been debated is who owns history? What is history and why study it? What is the relationship between facts, interpretation and truth? These and many other questions can be answered by studying history. History to me is a magnificent continuous journey to be shared when we encounter the various civilizations, people, places, cultures, and the role of women in society, all of which has impacted us. Teaching history provides the opportunity of introducing students to new ideas, voices and the use of multiple perspectives. These views will prepare them to become citizens of a more diverse and globalized world of the 21st century.

I teach History of Civilization, General Studies Senior Symposium, World Geography, Twentieth Century America, Introduction to History Study and Writing, African-American History, Contemporary Africa and South Africa: New Citadel of Democracy (the latter two courses were created in my second year at Lynchburg College) to enhance the course offerings for history majors, minors and International Relations majors. These courses require class participation with individual and group interactive activities, research skills, the use of oral and written assignments, dramatic readings, the presentation of plays and videos as means of enhancing the learning experiences of students. In addition to creative examinations and role playing exercises.

History of Civilization is the basic course in history, designed to provide students with a knowledge of world cultures from the prehistoric period where societies were formed, developed and evolved into more complex ones with institutions of government, the introduction of agriculture, trade and created a system of human relationships. It also includes the ancient period of societies in China, India, the Middle East, the Mediterranean World, Africa and the Americas with the creations of states and empires with religious, political and economic specializations with social hierarchies. In the Medieval period, the barbarian migrations challenged the classical civilizations of Europe and Asia, great empires declined as other forces rose to prominence. The growth of the great religions of Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Confucianism spread to other parts of the world. The rise of civilizations in China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India, Africa, Central America, and the Middle East paved the way for the Modern period of nation states, social classes, imperialism and capitalism. The course also includes: the contemporary period of world wars, democracy, peace and international organizations; the development of the Cold War, the end of colonialism and the emergence of the Third World with African Nationalism and Independence; the rise of spiritual values, reforms, civil rights;  fall of the Berlin Wall and end to Communism and the Soviet Union; and a  continuation of global problems of famine, wars, coups, ethics clashes, the new racism, sexual harassment, human rights violations, environmental and the impact of modern technology. Leading to the future, we approach the 21st century with hope in the human race for world peace and humanitarianism. Through history we continue to search for justice and truth.

General Studies Senior Symposium is open only to seniors and second-semester juniors. A thematic approach of major issues affecting mankind in the perspective of total experience, relating to questions of the human nature, tyranny and freedom, war and peace, poverty and wealth, faith and morals and issues in education. The course comprises lectures by visiting scholars, public officials, businessmen and women, professional people, artists and other leaders of thought and opinion, reading selections from the "classics" and discussion seminars.

African American history to 1865 and from 1865 to the Present are courses which provide the opportunity to break down barriers and to assist students in becoming aware of the history and culture of another group. Topics include 15th century explorations by blacks, the West and East African capture, slavery, the slave trade and the Black Diaspora. Survey of African Americans covers their first arrival in 1619 at Jamestown, Virginia to the end of the Civil Rights movement to the present, as well as themes of freedom and tyranny , the role of religion and the church, economic and social development. To be examined, also will be the relationship of blacks with the federal government and the evolution of varying political, literary and philosophical thought, including Booker T. Washington; W.E.B. Du Bois; Marcus Garvey; A. Philip Randolph; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Malcolm X; Thomas Sowell; Derrick Bell and others of historical significance.

Africa is the motherland for all humanity and its people live in a land of contrast and diverse ethnic groups and landscapes. The continent is rich in historical and cultural traditions of a proud people who have faced extraordinary obstacles. In their struggle, nevertheless they pay school fees to educate their children and fulfill personal obligations. African nations deal with the impact of modern technology on their culture, as they strive to keep the best of their traditions alive. In spite of its problems, Africa has made monumental contributions to the world.

Contemporary Africa is an introduction to Africa from an interdisciplinary perspective, including geography, history, social structure, political development and culture. A thematic approach will be used to include the impact of colonialism and African Nationalism, the role of women in society, the quest for social justice, leadership and politics since independence, and the role of Africa in world affairs.

South Africa: New Citadel of Democracy is a course with a historical overview of the struggle between Black South African and Afrikaner settlers and how apartheid was used to defeat the nationalist movement and make South Africans strangers in their own land. It will then trace the struggle against apartheid and the role played by children, women and the clergy in helping to bring about democratization process and its new leadership under Nelson Mandela in South Africa.

Honors and Awards

2004 PHT Award Putting Him/Her Through
2004 Who's Who Among America's Teachers
2002 Who's Who Among America's Teachers
2002 Editor's Choice award for Outstanding Achievement in Poetry (International Library of Poetry)
1999 International Directory of Distinguished Leadership
1999 International Who's Who of Professionals
1998 PHT Award Putting Him/Her Through
1998 First Phenomenal Woman Award (sponsored by the Black Student Association)
1996 Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
1995 All-American Scholar

Professional/Research Interests

  • Researching the Civil Rights Movement in Danville, Virginia, on the "Faces and Voices of the Movement," and its continuing impact on us and the world. Writing an article and biography of M.S. Kemp, a woman labor activist and Tom Mboya, Kenyan leader, using sources from the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University.

  • Biography project on the founders of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in 1913.

  • In the process of contacting publishing companies about the publication of my dissertation as a book. Writing an inspirational book of words to live by for happiness and success.

  • Selected to be a participant in the National Endowment of the Humanities Summer Institute at Harvard University on the "Teaching of the Southern Civil Rights Movement," June 23rd- July 25th, 1997, directed by Dr. Henry L. Gates.

  • Special interests are in African history, African American history, history of world missions, teacher preparation, women's history and international exchanges.

Publications

  • Book Review, The Journal of Southern History, John B. Boles, Managing Editor, Rice University.  The African-American Family in Slavery and Emancipation, Author: Wilma A. Dunaway, New York and other cities; Cambridge University Press, 2003, November, 2005.
  • Book Review, The Journal of Southern History, John B. Boles, Managing Editor, Rice University, Slavery in the American Mountain South, Author: Wilma A. Dunaway, Studies in Modern Capitalism, new York and other cities: Capbridge University Press, 2003, November 2005.
  • Book Reviewer: African American Lives: The Struggle for Freedom, Clayborne Carson, Emma J. Lapsansky-Werner and Gary Nash, Longman Publishers, new York, 2003-2004.
  • Book Reviewer: Survey Book Proposal and Questionnaire, Textbook, A History of Modern Africa: 1800 to the Present, Author: Richar Reid, university of Durham, Blackwell Publishing, August 2004.
  • Civil Rights in the United States. Biography of the following: Derrick A. Bell, James Farmer and Asa Philip Randolph. Waldo E. Martin Jr. and Patricia Sullivan, editors, Volume I A-K & Volume II L-Z, Macmillan Reference, New York, 2000.
  • "The Democratization Agenda in Kenya: The Mau Mau Legacy," Nationalism and Development: The Kenyan Experience, Gerald Akatsa Okello, Editor, EAPH, 1994.
  • "Women, Development, and Politics," Nationalism and Development: The Kenyan Experience, Gerald Akatsa Okello, Editor, EAPH, 1994.
  • Chapter 3: "The Black Diaspora in the Americas," The Americas Before and After Columbus. The Third East African Studies Colloquium, USIS, Kampala, 1993.
  • Book Review: Africa: A Modern History, 1800-1975, J. O. Sagay and D. A. Wilson (Nairobi: Evans Bros., Ltd., 1978) in Maseno Journal of Education and Science, Volume 1: Number 2, December 1992.

Professional Associations

African Studies Association
American Association of University Women
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Personal Interests and Information

  • Listening to and appreciating jazz and inspirational music

  • Walking for fitness and meditation

  • Dancing and traveling anywhere

  • Reading

I have one son, James Leon Smith, Jr. who graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with Honors in 1995 and is a 1999 graduate of the New England School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts. I was the owner of a Siamese cat for nine years and would love to have another one as a pet. My faith is important to me and I love to witness for Jesus. I am a Sunday School Teacher and member of the Christian Education Committee, Mountain View Church of God.