Summer 2003

LAS s324L • CARIBBEAN FOUNDATION

Course Description

In this course we will approach the Caribbean from an anthropological perspective that stimulates comparative analysis and critical thinking about this region’s cultural manifestations. We will discuss differences as well as similarities among and within different Caribbean societies, placing particular emphasis on the contrast between the Spanish Speaking Caribbean and the non- Hispanic Caribbean. Our comparative approach will focus on those aspects of the region’s history that have shaped and influenced contemporary dynamics of race, ethnicity, and nationalism in the region.

The course is organized into two parts. The first part (Historical Layers) seeks to familiarize students with key aspects of this region’s colonial history that have shaped and influenced the stratified dynamics of race and ethnicity. The second part ("Post"-Colonial Questions of Race, Ethnicity, and Nation) examines some of the different ways Caribbean people have responded to the historic legacy of European colonial rule, particularly in their attempts to construct and represent their respective nations. The term "post" is placed in quotations because some Caribbean countries (like Puerto Rico) are still colonies.

Grading Policy

Final grades will be determined by two exams (each worth 30% of the total grade) one paper (worth 30% of the final grade) and a class participation score (worth 10 % of the final grade).

Texts

All the required readings for this class are included in TWO course packets, which can be purchased at Abel’s Copies (located on 23rd St. Phone 472-5353).

back