Historical Research Letter
https://iiste.org/Journals/index.php/HRL
<p><span id="internal-source-marker_0.04939836589619517">Historical Research Letter is a peer reviewed journal published by IISTE. The journal publishes original papers at the forefront of history related topics. The journal is published in both printed and online versions. The online version is free access and download.</span></p><p>IISTE is a member of <a href="http://www.crossref.org/01company/17crossref_members.html">CrossRef</a>.</p><p>The DOI of the journal is: https://doi.org/10.7176/HRL</p>The International Institute for Science, Technology and Education (IISTE)en-USHistorical Research Letter2224-3178Traditional Prisons, Legal Codes and Punishments in Ethiopia: An Overview of Historical Integrative Approach
https://iiste.org/Journals/index.php/HRL/article/view/61487
<p>The purpose of this study is to trace the historical development, change, and continuity of traditional prisons, legal codes, and punishments in Ethiopia from antiquity to recent times. The researcher used a qualitative method and a descriptive research design. Data were collected through document review, and then the collected data were analyzed both thematically and chronologically. The author used both primary and secondary sources. Traditional prisons, legal codes, and punishments continued until the reign of Menilek II. After a strong king, Menilek, a modern constitution was written in 1931 during the reign of Haile Selassie I, who ruled Ethiopia for a long time. The ancient and traditional prisons revealed by the research, what the early laws were like, and how and what punishments were applied based on these laws and other customs were analyzed in the research. Mainly, the three legendary prisons of Däbrä Damo, Amba Gešän, and Wähn Amba were used to confine the successors to the throne. In other prisons, inmates were occasionally brutalized. Even Fetha Nägäest has cruel laws or articles. According to those cruel laws, criminals were punished severely, from mutilation to the death penalty. Due to the long-standing practice of torture punishments and the influence and legacy of harsh laws, being imprisoned in Ethiopia still means an ordeal and is considered like going to hell.</p> <p><strong>Keywords:</strong> prison, tradition, male descendants, confinement, legal codes, Ethiopia, and torture</p> <p><strong>DOI: </strong>10.7176/HRL/54-01</p> <p><strong>Publication date:</strong>September 30<sup>th</sup> 2023</p>Bawkie Sintayehu54Diploma Mills: A Historical Foundation
https://iiste.org/Journals/index.php/HRL/article/view/61488
<p>In the context of the digital age, this paper discusses the issue of diploma mills, which are fraudulent institutions that grant unearned academic degrees for a fee. The study traces the history of diploma mills back to John Cook Bennett's early practice of awarding degrees based on untested hypotheses of experience rather than curriculum-based learning. It provides a thorough understanding of the operation and classification of these institutions, emphasizing the importance of financial gain and social prestige as key motivators for their continued existence. The paper goes on to investigate the impact of these fraudulent activities on the credibility of higher education, labor markets, and public safety in various industries. Additionally, it describes the typical traits and critical thinking techniques of diploma mills, emphasizing naming conventions, unconventional curricula, quantity over quality methods, and structural flaws. The presentation of notable diploma mill examples and the industries in which they operate serves to highlight the size and complexity of the issue. The paper highlights the significant drawbacks, such as deception, lack of recognition, and the breeding of mediocrity, while acknowledging the potential benefits of honorary degrees as a positive offshoot of the diploma mill concept. In its final section, the paper makes a plea to decision-makers in government, higher education, and business to work together and raise awareness to preserve the credibility and value of educational credentials.</p> <p><strong>Keywords:</strong> Diploma mills, For-profit, certificate, fake, degree, educational institution</p> <p><strong>DOI: </strong>10.7176/HRL/54-02</p> <p><strong>Publication date:</strong>September 30<sup>th</sup> 2023</p> <p> </p>Adekemisola AsahiahFranca Chinenye NwankwoChris Chijioke IwehaSoyele, Hamed AdesileJames Mensah54The Challenge of Slums in the Global South and Community-led Settlement Planning and Design under UN-HABITAT’s Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme in Ga Mashie in Accra
https://iiste.org/Journals/index.php/HRL/article/view/61489
<p>Initially, colonial urbanisation and subsequently, spontaneous urbanisation and the growth related to both trends, as well as the post-colonial challenge of managing these, resulted in the phenomenal development of slums in the towns and cities of the developing countries, especially in Africa. Previously, slums were seen as undesirable and became targets of brutal, violent demolitions, removals and unfair relocation practices. However, global responses included the general acceptance and recognition of slum upgrading, in situ, and as an integral part of citywide scale-up. UN-HABITAT piloted its Slum Upgrading Facility (SUF) in four developing countries and upon its success, initiated the Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme (PSUP), which, in Ghana, was piloted in the indigenous community of Ga Mashie/Old Accra, where its residents took up their own settlement planning and design; their experience was unique, innovative and exemplary. The study appraised this initiative in terms of the PSUP phases, objectives of the participatory community settlement planning and design process, stakeholders, consultative approaches and planning techniques, proposals, implementation roadmap and the planning administration procedures involved, identified issues and challenges and made suggestions for improvement of slum settlement planning and design practices and amelioration of the conditions of the Ga Mashie community.</p> <p><strong>Keywords: </strong>Inner-city slum conditions, slum upgrading initiatives, participatory community settlement planning processes, local spatial design, Ga Mashie, Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme</p> <p><strong>DOI: </strong>10.7176/HRL/54-03</p> <p><strong>Publication date:</strong>September 30<sup>th</sup> 2023</p>Sam C. M. Ofori54