Topics in History (492-0-24)
Topic
The Caribbean in World History
Instructors
Lina M Britto
Harris Hall 302
Meeting Info
Harris Hall room 101: Fri 2:00PM - 4:50PM
Overview of class
Topic: The Caribbean in World History
For generations of historians, anthropologists, sociologists, and cultural critics, the Caribbean has been a heated topic of debate and research—not to mention a source of inspiration and inquiry for fiction writers, essayists, poets, filmmakers, and artists. The depth and intricacy of Caribbean history, and its centrality to world history is one of the reasons for this fascination. Slavery and emancipation; colonialism and imperialism; republicanism and revolution; nationalism and decolonization, are some of the historical categories of analysis that from a Greater Caribbean perspective complicate easy periodizations, clear-cut imperial boundaries, and ready-made gender and racial constructs.
This course introduces graduate students to this historical/historiographical complexity, and the generations of scholars who have contributed to Caribbean studies with a profusion of theoretical and interpretative lenses.
We will start with the cornerstone of the scholarship: What is the Caribbean? Then, we will consider specific topics, and the variety of approaches in their study in order to examine multiple frames and bridge the different linguistic, and imperial areas.
Learning Objectives
The goal is dual. On the one hand, from a humanistic point of view, we will seek to comprehend what roles people living in this region played in some of the major historical transformations of the last four centuries; and how the interconnected processes of Caribbean economic and sociopolitical development shaped and impact the formation of a capitalist world system. On the other hand, from an academic perspective, we will draw connections among different fields, i.e. African Diaspora, Latin America, Atlantic, and Global History; and begin to master the classic books and most influential recent works published in English (or translated) on Caribbean history.
Evaluation Method
Discussions, oral presentations, papers.
Class Materials (Required)
Some materials will be available through Canvas, others will be under reserve at the library, and other will be available for purchase at the bookstore
Class Notes
Concentration: Americas