History 392
Caribbean History and Culture
Instructor:
Dr. Joseph C. Dorsey, Associate Professor of History
Class Meets:
T & Th, 10:30-11:45, Beering Hall B242
Office:
Beering Hall 6172
Office Hours:
T & Th, 12:00-1:30 or by appointment
Office Phone:
none
E-mail:
jdorsey@purdue.edu
Course Description
This course surveys the social, political, cultural, and economic dynamics of Caribbean history from
1492 to the present. Themes include: slavery, race relations, colonialism, independence
movements, national identities (colonial and postcolonial), and the evolution of gender systems.
Focusing on differences and similarities—between individual islands and islands grouped by
linguistic and colonial affiliation—readings and films will highlight national and transnational
currents in the British, Danish, Dutch, French, and Spanish Caribbean islands. In addition to the
island and mainland shores that define proper Caribbean geography, we will explore the Caribbean
Diaspora. At once worldwide and on-going in growth, Caribbean diasporic communities span the
globe from Canada and Western Europe to the Far East and the South Pacific. Thus, with diasporic
formations in mind, we will also consider Caribbean identities in the United States, England, France,
the Netherlands, and Spain. The course is designed for students with particular interests in Latin
America, Pan-American politics, African Diaspora studies, immigration, and comparative cultural
studies, along with those interested a broad-based introduction to the Caribbean through the lens
of interdisciplinary history. Students taking this course will: (1) develop an appreciation for different
histories and cultures in the Americas (2) learn to read and observe history and culture carefully
and analytically and (3) enhance their appreciation for local, regional, national and international
diversity.
Readings and Films
1. Basic History Text:
Moya Pons, Frank (FMP)
History of the Caribbean
2. A Novel, a Political Essay, and Two Autobiographies:
Castillo Bueno, María de los Reyes
Danticat, Edwidge
Kincaid, Jamaica
Moreno Vega, Marta
Reyita: The Life & Times of Black Cuban Woman
The Farming of Bones
A Small Place
When the Spirits Dances Mambo
3. Films and Documentaries (students will vote for movie preferences)
“Before Night Falls” (Memoir of a gay novelist in Cuba, late 1950s to early 1980s)
“Cimarrón” (The lives of a young West African couple enslaved in 19 th-century Puerto Rico)
“Café au Lait” (African, Caribbean, and Jewish Diasporas Meet and Interact in Paris, 1990s)
“Dance with Me” (Spanish Caribbean Diaspora in the U.S., 1990s)
“Feast of All Saints” (Reveals Louisiana’s African, Caribbean, and Latin American background)
“Flowers from Another World” (Spanish Caribbean Diaspora in Spain, 1990s)
“Frantz Fanon” (A documentary about Fanon set in Martinique, Paris, and Algiers)
“How to Make Love to a Negro” (French Caribbean Diaspora in Toronto, 1980s)
“I Can’t Sleep” (French Caribbean Diaspora in Paris, 1990s)
“Island in the Sun” (an excellent example of how to make a bad film about the Caribbean, 1950s)
“Papa” (Dutch Caribbean Diaspora in Amsterdam, 1990s)
“Sammy and Rosie Get Laid” (British Caribbean and South Asian Diasporas in London, 1980s)
“A Small Island” (The start of the great Caribbean migrations to England, late 1940s)
“Sugar Cane Alley” (The adventures and misadventures of children in rural Martinique, 1920s)
“Viva Zapato” (A comedy on daily life in Cuba, 1990s)
“West Side Story” (Spanish Caribbean Diaspora in the U.S., 1960s)
“Wide Sargasso Sea” (A disturbing Jamaican “prequel” to Jane Eyre, 1830s-1840s)
Attendance
Regular class attendance is expected. Attendance will be taken for each class meeting. You are
allowed three unexcused absences. Additional absences will result automatically in the lowering of
your final grade. Only absences approved by the university (such as participation in sports events,
and other school-authorized activities) are exempt from this policy. Exceptions will be made for
emergencies. Such cases will require documentation. Six or more absences will result in a failing
grade. Make-up examinations will not be given, nor late papers accepted, without proof of serious
illness or the death of close relative. Habitual tardiness without justification will not be tolerated.
If you cannot arrive on time, please drop this class.
Behaviors
Students are expected to treat each other with respect and courtesy. Your voiced observations are
valuable, of course. However, insulting language and/or outbursts of temper will be not allowed
under any circumstances. Each of you will have many opportunities to have your say but your
views and opinions must be expressed respectfully and courteously—no matter how heated or
controversial the topic.
You are responsible for all assigned readings before the class meets. Keep up with them. Though
some of you may feel confident in the strength of your memory, good note-taking is an essential
part of this class. In addition, in the infelicitous event of an absence, I strongly advise you not to
rely exclusively on briefings from your class mates. Nor should you approach me to ask what you
missed because of an unexcused absence. You alone are responsible for all information
disseminated in a given class session, whether you are present or not.
Private conversations during lectures, class discussions, question-and-answer sessions, and film
showings are exceptionally rude and disruptive. Short, sudden exclamations of surprise, shock,
satisfaction, glee, or distaste are permitted in the course of lectures and film showings but please
keep them to a minimum. Also, turn off your cell phones.
Purdue’s policy against academic dishonesty is strong and long-standing. Cheating on tests,
purchasing papers, plagiarism, and other writing practices of dubious integrity will be punished to
the fullest extent of this policy. Desperate behaviors of this sort may result in your permanent
separation from the school.
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Grade Distribution
First Reflection Paper
(Critique 3 novels)
Second Reflection Paper (Critique 3 films)
Quizzes (announced and unannounced)
Theme Paper
Participation, Presentations, and Homework
15%
15%
30%
30%
10%
(2-3 pages)
(2-3 pages)
(2 to 3 quizzes)
(3-to-5-page essay)
(including attendance)
Reading Schedule
Dates
Topics
Readings & Films
Aug 26
Overview
Map homework
Aug 28
Caribbean Images in Europe and the U.S.
FMP Ch 1 & 2; film clips
Sep 02
Caribbean Images Continued
FMP Ch 3; film clips
Sep 04
Spain and Its Enemies: Piracy in the Caribbean
FMP Ch 4
Sep 09
Life and Labor: the Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Islands*
FMP Ch 5 & 6
Sep 11
Race, Ethnicity, and Culture: Slavery and Religion
FMP Ch 7 & 8
Sep 13
Race, Ethnicity, and Culture: Sexual Relations
FMP Ch 9 & 10
Sep 16
Resistance vs. Collaboration: Slave Revolts
FMP Ch 11 & 12
Sep 18
American Revolutions: Haiti and the Thirteen Colonies
FMP Ch 13
Sep 23
Their Words: Masters, Slaves, and Free People of Color film
Sep 25
The 19th Century: Great Britain and the Age of Abolition
film
Sep 30
Abolition in the Danish, Dutch, and French Islands
FMP Ch 14 & 15
Oct 02
The Longevity of Slavery in the Spanish Islands
FMP Ch 16
Oct 07
New Quests for Workers: Asian Contract Labor
FMP Ch 17; reading sent by email
Oct 09
Asian Labor Continued
Discussion of Reading
Oct 14
October Break; Class Not Held
Oct 16
20th-Century Neo-colonialism
Film: “Franz Fanon”
Oct 21
20th-Century Neo-colonialism
First Paper Due; Begin Reyita
Oct 23
Challenges to Neo-colonialism
FMP Ch 18 & 19
Oct 28
Asians in the Caribbean in the 20th Century
FMP Ch 20; Finish Reyita
Oct 30
Diasporization: The Caribbean in England
Film clip: “Sammy and Rosie”
Nov 04
Diasporization: The Caribbean in France
Film clip: “I Can’t Sleep”
Nov 06
Diasporization: The Caribbean in Spain
Film clip: “Flowers from Another World”
Nov 11
Diasporization: The Caribbean in the U.S.
Film: West Side Story; Begin Moreno
Nov 13
Puerto Ricans in the U.S.: Race, Class & Family
Film continued; Finish Moreno
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Nov 18
The Puerto Rican Diaspora continued
Begin Danticat
Nov 20
Haitian-Dominican Relations
Second Paper due; Continue Danticat
Nov 25
Haitian-Dominican Relations
Finish Danticat; Instructions for Paper
Nov 27
Thanksgiving Recess; Class not held
Dec 02
Time, Space, and Place: Comparing Diasporas
Begin Kincaid
Dec 04
The Caribbean Tourist Industry
Finish Kincaid
Dec 09
Share Overview of Theme Papers with Class
Dec 11
Overview Continued; Last Day of Class
Dec 16
No Class
Dec 18
No Class; Theme Paper Due
Exam Week Begins December 16th
Important Announcements
1. The syllabus above is subject to change, according to class needs and the discretion of the instructor.
2. Several films shown in this class (and available on library reserve) contain scenes and language use that
some may find objectionable. Viewer discretion and enrollment discretion are advised, i.e., if you are
squeamish, or if your religious beliefs are strongly fundamentalist, consider dropping this class.
3. In the event of a major campus emergency, course requirements, deadlines, and grading percentages
are subject to changes that may be necessary because of a revised semester calendar or other
amendments. Here are ways to get information about changes in this course: Blackboard Vista web page;
my email address: jdorsey@purdue.edu. The phone number of the History Department is: (765) 494-4132.
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