Page 6 - CAPE Caribbean Studies Study Guide Sample_Neat

Caribbean Studies: an overview

The subject of Caribbean Studies is one that draws on a number of disciplines
such as sociology, economics, business studies, anthropology, history, law,
politics, geography, cultural studies and international relations. The course is
structured in such a way that you will be able to apply knowledge of these
other disciplines to better understand the Caribbean as a whole.
Value and rationale of the course

The intention of this course is to sensitise students to specific aspects of the
Caribbean, for example historical, social and political. The aim is to make you
more appreciative of the region, thus promoting patriotism and regionalism.
Furthermore, this course aims to inform you about your role in society and
how you can contribute to the development of the region. The course will
expose you to different cultures and instil the social competencies of tolerance
towards other groups of people.

Structure of the course

The course is structured in three separate modules:

Module 1 – Caribbean society and culture
Module 2 – Issues in Caribbean development
Module 3 – Investigating issues in the Caribbean.

Module 1 – Caribbean society and culture

By introducing you to particular aspects of Caribbean society and culture,
Module 1 explains how cultures from different migratory groups have shaped
the Caribbean, including the Caribbean diasporic communities. History,
geography, cultural studies, sociology and law are the major disciplines in
this module. Eight themes are covered in Module 1, each having various
subthemes. You will need to demonstrate your knowledge of these in order to
perform well when you are assessed.
1: Location and definition of the Caribbean

You are expected to identify specific areas on the map of the region,
specifically the regions and subregions, from the Antilles to the Windward
and Leeward Islands, among other areas. You must also be able to define the
Caribbean from geographical, geological, historical, political and diasporic
points of view.

2: The historical process
The major theme here is history. You must be aware of the various events
surrounding the movement of the different migratory groups to the region.
You should be able to identify, explain and assess why the groups came to
the region, what significant aspects of culture they brought and what their
influences on Caribbean society and culture were. The economies of the
Caribbean plantations were based on certain systems of production and these
are investigated in this theme.

This theme also explains the responses of Caribbean people to oppression
via insurrectionary and non-insurrectionary forms. Finally, you are exposed
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