Caribbean Studies Syllabus

MODULE 1: CARIBBEAN SOCIETY AND CULTURE
OVERVIEW Module 1 introduces students to the role played by geography in shaping the society and culture of the Caribbean region as well as the historical evolution of Caribbean society, the cultural characteristics of the Caribbean people, and the ways in which Caribbean society and culture influence and are influenced by societies and cultures outside the region. GENERAL OBJECTIVES On completion of this Module, students should: 1. Understand the factors which have shaped Caribbean society and culture;

2. Appreciate how cultural traits evident throughout the region have resulted from Caribbean peoples’ experiences;

3.

Understand the common features which exist within Caribbean diversity;

4. Understand the relevance of concepts encountered within the Module, to their own lives and to the lives of their communities SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES Students should be able to: 1. Locate and define the Caribbean;

2. Explain the terms ‘society’ and ‘culture’;

3. Describe the characteristic features of Caribbean society and culture

4.

Analyze the impact of the historical processes in Caribbean society and culture;

5.

Assess the impact of geographical processes on Caribbean society and culture

6. Evaluate the ways in which societal institutions impact on their lives;

7.

Analyze how the global community and Caribbean society impact on each other

CONTENT 1. Location and Definition of the Caribbean Region

i.

Geographical location:

a. Names of territories

b. Sub-regions, for example, Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, The Bahamas;

c. Position of territories in relation to the Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean and the continental land masses

ii.

Definitions of the Caribbean Region

a. Geographical;

b.

Geological;

c.

Historical;

d.

Political;

iii.

Caribbean Identity and Culture

2. Characteristics of Society

i.

Society

a. Shared common purpose;

b.

A defined territorial space;

c.