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John N. Oriji

John N. Oriji African History
E-mail: joriji@calpoly.edu
Office: Bldg 47 Rm 27F
Phone: (805)756-1599

EDUCATION

  • B.A. (Hons. University of Nigeria)

  • M.A. (The Johns Hopkins University)

  • Ph.D., M.A. (Rutgers University)

RESEARCH & TEACHING INTERESTS

Broad Topics: African Political, Social and Economic History. Special Topics: Oral Traditions, the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, Colonialism, Nationalism & the Post Independence Era, West African Women & Case Studies of the Developmental Problems of Modern African States.

AWARDS, HONORS & PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

  • The University of Nigeria Foundation Scholarship

  • Gilman Fellowship, The Johns Hopkins University

  • State of California Faculty Research Grant

  • College of Liberal Arts Grant

  • Editing a forthcoming book entitled, “A History of Africa & the African Diasopra” and working on a book project entitled, “The History of Igbo Political Systems.”

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Books:

  • Traditions of Igbo Origins (New York: Peter Lang, 1994 Revised edition)

  • Ngwa History (New York: Peter Lang, 1998 Revised Edition)

Chapters in Books:

  • “Igboland, Slavery & the Drums of War & Heroism,” in S. Diouf (ed.), Fighting the Slave Trade: West African Strategies (Athens: University of Ohio Press, 2005), 121-131.

  • “The Aba Women's War in Nigeria,” in T. Benjamin (ed.) Encyclopedia of Western Colonialism Since 1450 (Detroit: Macmillan Press, 2007).

Journal Articles:

  • “Igbo Women From 1929-1960,” West African Review (2000) http://www.westafricareview.com/vol2.1/oriji.html

  • “The Ivory Tower & its Descent to the Dark Ages: A Study of Cultism in Nigerian Universities,” Lincoln Journal of Political Thought 3/2 (Spring 2005), 51-67.

  • “The End of Sacred Authority & the Genesis of Amorality & Disorder in Igbo Society,” Journal of Dialectical Anthropology (2008 forthcoming).

  • Transformations in Igbo Cosmology During Slavery: A Study of the Geneses of Place-Names, Totems & Taboos," The International Journal of African Studies 6,2(2007), pp.197-214.

SERVICE TO THE UNIVERSITY & ORGANIZATIONS

  • Member of the University Enhancement Council (2007/08)

  • Member of the Departmental Assessment Committee (2007/08)

  • Member, African-American Students mentoring Program (2003-present)

  • Chair NNAUSA Culture & Oral History Committee

ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERSHIP

  • African Studies Association

  • Nigerian Scholars Association

  • Igbo Scholars Association