HIST 205-02, Caribbean History, Spring 2012

Abstract

Often described as tropical paradises or outposts of poverty and backwardness, this class goes beyond these images to explore the diverse histories and cultures of the Caribbean islands. The Caribbean ranks among the earliest globalized regions in the world and brought together the people of Europe, Africa, and the America. The influence of the Caribbean region was felt across cultural and national boundaries, notably through Caribbean diasporas across the world. This course covers the development of colonization in the Caribbean until the beginning of the 20th century. This region serves as the perfect case-study to explore questions about African slavery, colonialism, and revolution. This class also focuses on Caribbean cultural productions, ranging from literature to the visual arts, from music to film.