CARIBBEAN STUDIES COURSE OUTLINE

http://wgscaribstud.yolasite.com/module-1.php
SEPTEMBER DECEMBER
Week 1
Introduction to Caribbean Studies
Rationale
Skills and abilities to be assessed
Modules
Internal Assessment
Internal Assessment - structure and deadline(s)
Introduction to Module 1
Location of the Caribbean
Definitions of the Caribbean
Group activity locating the Caribbean (sub-regions)
Individual activity - produce maps and charts to define the Caribbean (be creative).
Week 2
Characteristics of society and culture
Society
Culture
Relationship between society and culture
Identity and social formation
Cultural diversity
Social stratification (*plantation society)
Social mobility
Presentation: Assess the statement the statement that there is no one Caribbean culture but many
cultures.

Homework: Describe THREE ways in which the term culture is used. Refer to examples
from Caribbean society and culture to illustrate your answer (20 marks).
Internal Assessment - theme and topic deadline (due)
Week 3
Identity and social formation (continued)
Creolisation and hybridization
Plural society
Creole society
Process of cultural hybridization: erasure, retention and renewal of cultural practices
Nature and purpose of research
What is research?
Reliability and validity in research
Why conduct research?

 Presentation: Creolization leads to the development of entirely new cultures. Evaluate this
point of view using examples of religion, language and music in Caribbean society and
culture.
Presentation: All ah we is one. Discuss the social challenges faced by Caribbean people in
achieving Caribbean unity.
Question to consider: Describe, with reference to your own country, examples of the erasure
and retention of cultural practices.
Week 4
Beginning a research project
Identification of a research problem
Research objectives: research questions, problem statement or hypothesis; relevance;
direct link to research problem; informed by sources; clarity
Sources of information identifying and accessing sources
Writing the Literature Review
Methods of enquiry/ methods of data collection
Collecting data/ sampling
Internal Assessment requirements of the Introduction; Literature Review; Data Collection
Sources; and Interview/Questionnaire. *Annotated Bibliography
Quiz Week 4
Week 5
The historical process
Migratory process/movement (pre-Columbian era to 1838): indigenous population,
Europeans, Africans, indentured servants
Migration movement within and outside the Caribbean(1838 present)
Development of systems of production: slash and burn, encomienda, slavery, plantation
system, indentureship
Response of Caribbean people to oppression and genocide resistance, revolution, peasantry
Movement towards independence
Presentation: The history of the Caribbean is a history of the exploitation of labour.
Discuss with reference to the following labour systems: encomienda; slavery; indentureship.
Presentation: Describe the contribution of peasant groups to the development of Caribbean
society in the period after emancipation.
Internal Assessment Introduction; Annotated Bibliography and Interview
questions/Questionnaire deadline (due)

Week 6
2

Forms of presenting data and techniques for analysis data

Conclusion and recommendations
Referencing style
Principles of ethical conduct
Internal Assessment requirements of the Presentation of Data; Analysis of Data;
Discussion of Findings; Conclusions/Limitations/Recommendations; Bibliography.
Requirements of 1st draft
Assessment (Test) Weeks 1 to 6; essay and short answer

Week 7
Plate tectonics: location and movement of Caribbean plate and interactions with other plates
Earthquakes and volcanoes tsunami; displacement
Hurricanes
Soil erosion and conservation
Coral reefs
Drought
Assignment: Design a poster (letter size paper) on the importance of soils and coral reef
territories.
Assignment: Name and present photographs of three (3) active volcanoes in the Caribbean
and assess their impacts (social and economic) on the country they are located in.
Group assignment: Create a 10 minute public awareness update on the likely impact of
earthquake and tsunami in your country and include brief comments on the ways in which
the impact could be mitigated. The use of audio-visual technology is recommended.
Quiz Impact of geographical phenomena.

Week 8
Impact of societal institutions on Caribbean people
Family
Education
Religion
Justice system
Presentation: Discuss the impact of family on Caribbean societies.
Presentation: Discuss the impact of education on Caribbean societies and culture.
Question to consider: Assess the extent to which religion continues to dominate the life of
Caribbean people.
Question to consider: Discuss the impact of the justice system on Caribbean societies and
culture.
Week 9
Caribbean arts and popular culture in the region and its diaspora
3

 Caribbean art forms

Human and cultural development via arts
Contributions made by Caribbean people
Art forms in the diaspora
Presentation: video
Assessment (Test) Weeks 6 to 9; essay
Week 10
Influences of extra-regional societies on the Caribbean
Political Westminster system; rule of law; electoral system/processes; labour
Education colonialism; information age; language; curriculum
Art forms colonialism: music, theater art, visual arts
Historical economics of dependence/consumption patterns remittances; goods and
services
Sports and recreation
Religion
Week 11
Caribbean influences on extra-regional countries
Political
Economic
Cultural festivals/carnivals/music; Rastafari; cuisine
Week 12
Introduction to Module 2
Concepts of development
Internal Assessment 1st draft deadline (due)