Alexander Nekam (1905-1982) Papers
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No requestable containers
Scope and Contents
The Alexander Nekam papers fill two boxes and date from 1963-1966 and 1972; they are arranged into two major categories: course materials and research materials.
The course materials include syllabi, outlines, reading notes and other items relating to African and customary law. Also found here is a 1972 master of laws thesis by one of Nekam's students, Christopher C. Mojekwu. The subject of his thesis is law and justice in Ibo society.
Research materials, largely relating to African law, are comprised of Nekam's notes on Ugandan justice, by-laws, and courts, interspersed with a small amount of related correspondence. The bulk of the papers consists of interview transcripts from Nekam's research trips to Uganda in 1964 and 1966. Transcripts are labeled meticulously with the names and titles of interview participants: magistrates, tribal chiefs and elders, among others; the name of the location at which the interview took place; and the date and time of the interview. Following the transcripts are Nekam's notes pertaining to Ugandan court cases as well as research outlines and related materials. A small amount of notes on American conflicts of law complete the series.
Dates
- 1963-1966, 1972
Creator
- Nékám, Alexander (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is stored off-site and requires two business days advance notice for retrieval. Please contact the McCormick Library at specialcollections@northwestern.edu or 847-491-3635 for more information or to schedule an appointment to view the collection.
Extent
2.00 Boxes
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Alexander Nekam was a professor of law at Northwestern University from 1957 until his retirement in 1974. His main research interests were the emergence and development of the conflicts-of-law approach, conflicts sensitivities in African customary law, and the emotional basis of legal values. He twice received grants to do field work in East Africa. The Alexander Nekam Papers consist of course materials, which include syllabi, outlines, reading notes and other items relating to African and customary law; and research materials, which are comprised of Nekam's notes on Ugandan justice, by-laws, and courts, interspersed with a small amount of related correspondence.
Arrangement Note
The transcripts are arranged in roughly chronologically order according to date of interview.
Method of Acquisition
The Africana Department of the Northwestern University Library transferred the Nekam papers to the University Archives in July, 1984 (Accession #84-113).
Processing Information
Ursula W. Ulrich; April 30, 1986.
- Title
- Guide to the Alexander Nekam (1905-1982) Papers
- Author
- Ursula W. Ulrich
- Date
- 06/04/1988
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- eng
Library Details
Part of the Northwestern University Archives Repository
Deering Library, Level 3
1970 Campus Dr.
Evanston IL 60208-2300 US
847-491-3635
specialcollections@northwestern.edu