1. Caribbean Studies module 1
Caribbean Society & Culture

2. Location and definition of the Caribbean region
Geographic location
Names of territories
Sub-regions: Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles, western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, The Bahamas
Position of the Caribbean in relation to the Caribbean sea, Atlantic Ocean and the continental land masses.

3. Definitions of the Caribbean
Geographical
Geological
Historical
Political
Caribbean identity and culture

4. Characteristics of society
Shared common purpose
A defined territorial space
Continuity over time and space
Citizenship within a space

5. Culture Learned behaviour common to all human beings
Norms and values which provide a guide to behaviour
Institutions which prescribe behaviour

6. Characteristics of Caribbean Society and Culture
Cultural diversity
Positive and negative effects of cultural diversity
Ethnic and cultural differences
Accommodation made among different ethnic groups with respect to space, political and economic power and social visibility

7. Social Stratification
Plantation society and its impact on Caribbean social stratification (race, colour, money)
Education as basis for new class formation and upward mobility (social mobility)
Concepts such as plantocracy, intelligentsia, middle class, bourgeoise, working class, underclass, caste

8. Hybridization
Factors such as racial admixture and colour in the formation of Caribbean society and culture, terms like mulatto, mestizo, dougla, transculturation, creole
Erasure, retention and renewal of cultural practices

9. Impact of Historical Processes
Migratory movements and the establishment of patterns of settlement by different groups within the Caribbean from pre-Columbian times to the present
The development of systems of production: encomienda, slavery, indentureship, the plantation system

10. History cont’
Responses of Caribbean people to oppression and genocide: resistance, development of peasant groups
Movements towards independence
Political enfranchisement

11. Political enfranchisement
Adult suffrage
Internal self-government
Economic enfranchisement
Entrepreneurial activities, including shopkeeping and savings societies

12. Geographical impact on society and culture
Plate tectonics
Definition
Location and movement of the Caribbean plate
Earthquakes and volcanoes: social displacement
hurricanes

13. Geographical impact cont’
Soils – erosion, conservation
Coral reefs – coastal protection, sustainability of fishing industry
droughts

14. Impact of societal institutions
Family
Education
Religion
Justice System

15. Caribbean-Global Interactions
Consumption patterns: goods and services
Creative expressions: festivals, music, theatre arts, culinary practices
Education: impact of colonialism; the information age, language; curriculum reforms, for example, teaching Caribbean Studies in universities in the UK

16. Global interactions: Political influences
Westminster System: Constitutional monarchy (Jamaica, Barbados and Bahamas)
Rule of law
Electoral process: first-past-the post system
Caribbean contribution to the political life of the host communities of Europe and north America

17. Global impact continued
Labour: influence of migratory labour
Sport- cricket, soccer, basketball, track and field
Religion – traditional and non-traditional religious practices
Mass Media
Tourism

18. Caribbean influences on extra-regional countries
Important political issues created within countries of Europe and North America by presence of large numbers of Caribbean people (for example, impact of Haitians and Cubans living in Florida upon the politics of that State)

19. Caribbean impact abroad cont’
The impact of Caribbean festivals like Notting Hill Carnival in the United Kingdom, Labour Day in Brooklyn, Carnival in Miami and Caribana in Canada on the economies of the areas where they occur; the impact of migrant labour on the economies of the countries of North America

20. Caribbean impact abroad cont’
The impact of festivals and music of the Caribbean (for example, carnival, calypso, reggae, Punta, salsa, zouk), upon the festivals, music, pageants and street parades of the countries of North America, Europe, Africa and Japan
Impact of Rastafarianism
Influence of Caribbean culinary practices