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The Honors College of Research & Interdisciplinary Studies was established after eight years of successful implementation of an Honors Program at the University of Liberia (UL). The Honors Program began as a vision of Dr. Emmet A. Dennis, 13th President of the UL and it continues to be the vision of the immediate past President, Dr. Ophelia I. Weeks and that of the current President, Rev. Dr. Julius S. Nelson, Jr. The primary goal of the Honors Program was to develop the writing and research skills of students at the UL, starting with a cohort of Honors Students. Dr. Dennis requested that a feasibility study be conducted to explore the possibility of starting an Honors Program at the University. Mr. Ken Nobellet, a USAID Research Consultant, answered the call and worked along with the Dean and few instructors from the T. J. R. Faulkner College of Science & Technology in 2010. The result of the collaboration was a report outlining the structure of a university honors program. The Director of the Honors Program was appointed in 2011 and the process of establishing an Honors Program began. Policies and procedures for admitting students were put in place and the curriculum for teaching the honors students was designed to teach fundamental research skills. In addition to the research classes, six short certificate courses were developed to strengthen the Honors Students academic abilities, character and leadership skills. Community service skills were also part of the training provided. The short courses included Effective Study Skills; Career Development; Character Development; Technical Writing; STEM Education; Gender Studies and Critical Thinking Skills. Honors Faculty members from five undergraduate colleges were contracted to assist the Director to teach the short certificate courses. With a curriculum in place, the first cohort of 28 honors students were vetted and admitted into the LUX-In-Tenebris Honors Scholars Program on December 10, 2011. Extracurricular activities also form part of the student experience in the Honors Program. These included Debate Competitions; Internship opportunities, Field Trips and Interdisciplinary Seminars. In 2016, the Honors Program held Fundraising events to provide Dormitory Scholarships for students enrolled in the colleges on Fendall Campus. As a result of the successful fund raising, approximately 30 Honors Students were granted scholarships to reside on the Fendall Campus Dormitories. Since November 2016, The Honors Program has provided scholarships for honors students to experience campus life, have a conducive learning environment to study and achieve academic excellence. These learning experiences motivated more students to enroll in the Honors Program. Thus, the enrollment grew from 28 students in the first year to a current enrollment of 156 students from the undergraduate colleges of the UL. After seven years of existence as an academic program of excellence. the Honors Program wrote a proposal to transition from an Honors Program to an Honors College. The proposal was approved by the Academic Coordination Committee in August, 2018; by the Faculty Senate of the University on Tuesday, September 18, 2018; and by the Board of Trustees in July, 2019. The Honors College will offer two academic programs including a Three-Year Certificate Program in Interdisciplinary Research and a Bachelor’s Degree in Gender Studies. With the support of the UL Administration and partners, the Honors College will begin these programs in the first semester of 2019-2020.
The vision of the Honors College is to create a platform for excellent academic education in Interdisciplinary Research and Gender Studies with the goal to empower students with sustainable research knowledge and skills needed to solve critical national issues including gender equality and advocacy.
The mission of the Honors College is to train the University’s brightest students in using effective research skills to identify and offer solutions to solve critical national problems.
The requirements for admitting honors students into the Lux-In-Tenebris Scholars Program are as follow:
The Honors Scholars receive tuition, fees and stipend from the University of Liberia depending on their GPAs.
Dean’s Scholarship: Honors Scholars with GPA of 3.500 – 3.749 – Tuition and fees paid through the University of Liberia
President’s Scholars: Honors Scholars with GPA of 3.750-4.000 – Tuition, fees, and $100 Stipend at the end of each semester.
Scholarship, internship and travel opportunities through the Honors Program recommendations to the University of Liberia
Assist. Prof. Mamawa M. Freeman-Moore
Email: mo*****@ul.lr
Cell#: 0778494428/0880350590
Dean, Mamawa Freeman-Moore, is an educator with more than thirty years of teaching experience at the elementary, high school and college levels.
Dean Freeman-Moore obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from the William V. S. Tubman Teachers College, at the University of Liberia. She was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to pursue her Master’s Degree at Columbia University in New York, which she completed and earned an M.Ed. in Education. While in the USA, Dean Freeman-Moore taught for ten years at the junior high and high school levels.
While teaching in the U.S.A., Dean Freeman-Moore received several awards including the Excellence in Education Award; Representative to the Teacher of Excellence Conference at the University of Notre Dame; Certificate of Outstanding Teacher Award by State Representative, Harold V. Dutton Jr., State Representative District 142, State of Texas; among others.
Assist. Prof. Freeman-Moore served as Director of the LUX-In-Tenebris Honors Scholars and thought Honors English at the William V. S. Tubman Teachers College at the University of Liberia from October 2010 – September 2019.
Most significantly, Dean Freeman-Moore directed the Honors Program successfully and after eight years, she wrote a proposal to transition the Honors Program to an Honors College of Research and Gender Studies. In July, 2019, the Board of Trustees of the University of Liberia approved the Honors Program proposal to become a four year degree granting college at the University of Liberia.
In her capacity as Director of the Honors Program, Dean Moore wrote a book entitled, A Comprehensive Study Guide for University Freshman Students: Developing Effective Study Skills. Dean Freeman-Moore also developed a curriculum guide to accompany the book for teaching purposes at the UL. This was a seminar course for freshman students but after its effective implementation, the UL Administration asked for the course to be offered to all incoming freshman students at the UL.
Dean Freeman-Moore currently serves as the Founding Dean, of the Honors College of Research & Gender Studies at the University of Liberia.
Honors Faculty Members |
|
Professor Joseph Younn | B. A., M. Phil, PhD |
Mrs. Roseline Konneh | B.A., M. A. |
Mr. Sampson K. P. Chea | B.Sc., M.Sc., B.Pharm. |
Mr. Boima Kiazolu | B.Sc., M. Sc. |
Mr. Farkollie P. Sumo | B.Sc., M.Sc. |
Mr. Calvin Gaye | B.Sc., M.Sc., |
Mr. William S. Kollie | B.Sc., M.Sc. |
Mr. Adolphus Nippae | B.Sc., M.Sc. |
Mr. Richard S. Panton | B.Sc., M. DM, D |
This program is taken by sophomore students who already have a major in one of the six undergraduate colleges. The college content will be taken in student’s college. The Certificate Program may serve as a minor or an additional certificate the student wishes to achieve in addition to his/her major discipline.
In addition, students who are not currently enrolled at the UL, but have an interest in the Three-Year Certificate Program in Interdisciplinary Research, may enroll into the department by completing an undergraduate degree in any discipline and fulfilling the UL Admissions Requirements.
Course Distribution | Maximum Credit Hours |
v Interdisciplinary Seminar Courses | 38 |
v College Requirements/General Educ. Courses | Taken in respective College |
v Major Content | Taken in respective College |
Total Credit Hours Required for Certificate | 38 |
The total number of credits required to obtain a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Gender Studies is 140 credit hours. This includes 36 credits of general education courses, 34 credits of seminar courses and 70 credits in the major content area of Gender Studies. Students will be required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.333, in order to graduate with honors. To obtain a Certificate in Interdisciplinary Research Studies, a sophomore honors student is required to complete 38 credit hours in Research Studies.
Course Distribution | Maximum Credit Hours |
v Mathematics, Science, Language, Humanities, Social Science | 36 |
v Interdisciplinary Seminar Courses | 34 |
v Major Content in Gender Studies | 70 |
Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation | 140 |
Tanya Ansahta Garnett Professor PhD
Luopu G. Blackie Chairman, Gender Studies B.Sc., MA
Bernice J. Sharpe Instructor, Gender Studies BA, MSc
The requirements for admissions into the Honors College of Research & Interdisciplinary Studies are as follow:
Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies
The total number of credits required to obtain a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Gender Studies is 140 credit hours. This is a four year degree program which includes 36 credits of general education courses, 34 credits of seminar courses and 70 credits in the major content area of Gender Studies. Students will be required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.333, in order to graduate with honors.
Course Distribution | Maximum Credit Hours |
v Mathematics, Science, Language, Humanities, Social Science | 36 |
v Interdisciplinary Seminar Courses | 34 |
v Major Content in Gender Studies | 70 |
Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation | 140 |
This program is taken by sophomore students who already have a major in one of the six undergraduate colleges at the University of Liberia. The college content will be taken in student’s college. The Certificate Program may serve as a minor or an additional certificate the student wishes to achieve in addition to his/her major discipline.
In addition, students who are not currently enrolled at the UL but have an interest in the Three-Year Certificate Program in Interdisciplinary Research can enroll into the department by completing an undergraduate degree in any discipline and fulfilling the UL Admissions Requirements.
Course Distribution | Maximum Credit Hours |
v Interdisciplinary Seminar Courses | 38 |
v College Requirements/General Educ. Courses | Taken in respective College |
v Major Content | Taken in respective College |
Total Credit Hours Required for Certificate | 38 |
Three – Year Interdisciplinary Research Studies Certificate Program:
Scope and Sequence – Sophomore Year: Seminar courses 14 Credits
1st Semester | Code | Credits | 2nd Semester | Code | Credits |
Research Methodology I | IHON 213 | 2 | Research Methodology II | IHON-214 | 2 |
IT Honors & Research I | IHON-215R | 1 | IT Honors & Research II | IHON 216R | 1 |
Public Speaking | IHON 217R | 1 | Technical Writing | IHON 218 | 1 |
Interdisciplinary Seminar I | IHON 219 | 2 | Interdisciplinary Seminar II | IHON 220 | 2 |
Community Service | IHON 221 | 1 | Community Service II | IHON 222 | 1 |
Total Credits | 7 | Total Credits | 7 |
Scope and Sequence: Junior Year: 12 Credits
1st Semester Courses |
Code | Credits | 2nd Semester Courses | Code | Credits |
Interdisciplinary Research I |
IHON 381 | 2 | Interdisciplinary Research II | IHON 382 | 2 |
Disciplinary Research Project I |
IHON 383 |
2 |
Disciplinary Research Project II |
IHON 384 | 2 |
IT Honors & Research |
IHON 385 | 1 |
Public Speaking & Project Presentation |
IHON 386 | 1 |
Research Publication |
IHON 387-R | 1 | Community Service | IHON 388 | 1 |
Total Credits | 6 | Total Credits | 6 |
Scope and Sequence
Senior Year: 12 Honors Credits
1st Semester Courses |
Code | Credits | 2nd Semester Courses | Code | Credits |
Interdisciplinary Capstone Seminar I | IHON 403 | 2 | Interdisciplinary Capstone Seminar II | IHON 404 | 2 |
Thesis Project I | IHON 405 | 2 | Thesis Project II | IHON 406 | 2 |
Internship – Theory | IHON 407 | 1 | Field Internship ( job experience) | IHON 408 | 1 |
Research Symposium | IHON 409 | 1 | Capstone Experience ( Student Exchange) | IHON 410 | 1 |
Total Credits | 6 | Total Credits | 6 |
Curriculum:
Scope & Sequence
Freshman Year 32 Credits
1st Semester Courses | Code | Credits | 2nd Semester Courses | Code | Credits |
English | 101 -H | 3 | English | 102 H | 3 |
Math | 101/107/111 | 3 | Math | 102/108/112 | 3 |
Physical/Biological | 101 | 3 | Physical/Biological | 102 | 3 |
Geography | 101 | 3 | Social Science | 102 | 3 |
Introduction to Honors I | IHON 109 | 1 | Introduction to Honors II | IHON 110 | 1 |
Foundations of Research | IHON 111 | 1 | Foundations of Research II | IHON 112 | 1 |
Comprehensive Study Skills | IHON 113 | 1 | Comprehensive Study Skills | IHON 114 | 1 |
IT Honors I | IHON 115 | 1 | IT Honors II | IHON 116 | 1 |
Total Credits | 16 | Total Credits | 16 |
Sophomore Year 38 Credits
1st Semester Courses | Code | Credits | 2nd Semester Courses | Code | Credits | ||||||
English | 201 H | 3 | English | 202 H | 3 | ||||||
Social Science | 201 | 3 | Elective | ——– | 3 | ||||||
Interdisciplinary Seminar I | GHON 211 | 1 | Interdisciplinary Seminar II | GHON 212 | 1 | ||||||
Critical Thinking |
GHON 213 |
2 |
IT Honors & Effective Communications |
GHON 214 | 2 | ||||||
Research Methods I | GHON 215-G | 3 | Research Methods II | GHON 216-G | 3 | ||||||
|
GHON 221 |
1 | Community Service Project II |
GHON 222 |
1 | ||||||
Introduction to Women & Gender Studies | GHON 223 | 3 | Introduction to Women & Gender Studies | GHON 224 | 3 | ||||||
Gender Equality & Human Rights
|
GHON 225 | 3 |
Gender Roles and Stereotypes
|
GHON 226 |
3 | ||||||
Total | 19 | Total | 19 |
Junior Year 36 Credits
1st Semester Courses | Code | Credits | 2nd Semester Courses | Code | Credits |
Interdisciplinary Seminar I | IHON 381 | 2 | Interdisciplinary Seminar II | IHON 382 | 2 |
Disciplinary Research Project I | IHON 383 | 2 | IT & Disciplinary Research Project II | IHON 384 | 2 |
Gender Issues in African Studies | IHON 385 | 2 | Gender Issues in African American Studies |
IHON 386 |
2 |
Gender, Culture & Society | GHON 387 -G | 3 | Femininity & Masculinity | GHON 388 | 3 |
Feminist Theories | GHON 389 | 3 | Feminist Theory & Analysis | GHON 390 | 3 |
Contemporary Gender Issues in Gender Based Violence | GHON 391 | 3 |
Gender Diversity: Race & Sexuality
|
GHON 392 | 3 |
Foreign Language | Elective | 3 | Foreign Language | Elective | 3 |
Total | 18 | Total | 18 |
Senior Year 31 Credits
The University of Liberia was founded in 1862 as Liberia College and became a full University in 1951. It is a public institution funded mainly by the Government of Liberia…. Read More
P.O Box 10-9020, Capitol Hill
1000 Monrovia, 10 Liberia
West Africa