Selected Topics in Afro-Caribbean Studies

CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
Course name: Selected topics in Afro Caribbean Studies
Course code: ETH-3100
Total contact hours: 48 hours

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Intensive examination of a particular topic, theme, issue, or problem concerning the Black presence in Costa Rica and Central America. Sample offerings could include Central America and ethnic politics, history and Culture, Blacks in Central American governments, Contemporary Black literature, History of the Black experience in Costa Rica.

OBJECTIVE
Students will learn about the Black Costa Rican Culture development in order to prompt a broadening of awareness of Afro - Latin and Afro - Caribbean Culture
- To emphasize the importance of history in understanding the black culture of present day in Costa Rica, Latin America and the Caribbean - with special consideration of contemporary issues, such as, the development of human rights and sustainable development in relation to the Caribbean communities.
- To discuss the different aspects of Black Costa Rica?s heritage, cultural evolution, such as social and political organization, economy, traditions, festivities, people of influence, language, folk.
- To discuss present day issues of all aspects of the Black Costa Rican Society,
understanding the identity and values in order to create the framework for the analysis of Costa Rica Black Culture, in comparison with the Latin American, the Caribbean and the American Culture.
- To introduce the Caribbean indigenous community dynamics to complement the discussion of social constructs of the ?other? in Caribbean landscape, space and time.
- To explore specific socio-cultural profiles ? for example, the gender relations within Costa Rican Caribbean culture, and the issue of violence in the city of Limon.

CONTENTS
? Introduction to the Costa Rican Black History
? Afro -Central American Ethnic Groups: the case of the Garífunas.
? Marcus Garvey Legacy
? Limón: The most influential Afro-Costa Rican culture, A Cultural Melting Pot.
? Black Celebrations.
? The Carib Territory: history of the Carib Indians.
? Focus on the BriBri in Costa Rica.
? Background of the Latin American and Caribbean countries.
? The Jamaican Cultural Influence.
? The Caribbean and its heroes (Haiti, Jamaica, Costa Rica)
? Historical ?Relation? of Haiti with the Dominican Republic.
? Cuban culture.
? Growing risk ? natural disasters and Caribbean impacts.
? Human rights ? advances and limitations.
? Gender relations among the Caribbean groups.
? Afro-Caribbean culture and violence.
? Advances and challenges for sustainable development.

METHODOLOGY
- An experiential and exploratory method will be applied ? to encourage the student to thoroughly explore and experience the course issues in the present day Costa Rican context ? and make the most of the experiential opportunities provided by the course and the broader study setting.
- Theory will be considered and analysed in relation to the Costa Rican context.
- Participation and observation on site visits and field trips, and project preparation involving interviews with the local community.
- Continued Spanish practice through newspaper article analysis, key vocabulary and interview technique development.
- Individual research and on a chosen course relevant theme.

Special Activities - FIELD TRIPS:
1) City tour ? In Search of Costa Rican Identities: History and Culture in the City Space.
2) A visit to an NGO working on Afro-Caribbean Issues.
3) A visit to the Inter-American Human Rights Library for research possibilities.
4) A visit to the National Library or National Archives for research material exploration.
5) A museum visit ? Afro-Caribbean cultural representations in art.

Please Note:
Site visit times and dates are to be confirmed during the first class session.
Fieldtrip times and lengths may vary from class times ? but students are still required to attend.
Site visit locations can vary depending on unforeseen factors.
All students are required to attend all designated fieldtrips unless otherwise discussed in class.

Audience
This course is structured for International Students attending the Study Abroad program at Universidad Veritas. However, courses are not exclusive to foreigners so a few native student could enroll in this course.
Electronic devices:
The use of cell phones, smart phones, or other mobile communication devices is disruptive, and is therefore prohibited during class. Please turn all devices OFF and put them away when class begins. Devices may be used ONLY when the professor assigns a specific activity and allows the use of devices for internet search or recording. Those who fail to comply with the rule must leave the classroom for the remainder of the class period.

Attendance
Students are only allowed 2 absences (justified or not). The student will fail the course if he/she has more than 2 absences. Students will have a 0 on any assignment evaluated in class (presentations, evaluations, field trips, etc.) if he/she is absent in this class, unless an official document is presented to justify the absence the class after the absence. In this case the assignment will be done this day. An unjustified absence during a day of fieldtrip will immediately mean failing the course unless you have enrollment on a course with another field trip. You can only have two total absences in your elective courses HOWEVER, if you miss more than one day of class in a given month, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CREDIT for that particular course.
Behavior
Professors have the right to expel a student from the classroom should he / she:
1) be disruptive in the classroom
2) be under the influence of alcohol or even smell like alcohol
3) Behave in a disrespectful way.
If you tend to be late for class, you will lose 25% of your total grade

EVALUATION SYSTEM
Participation and attitude
2% deduction for tardiness and unjustified absences.
You can only have two total absences in your elective courses HOWEVER, if you miss more than one day of class in a given month, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CREDIT for that particular course.
10%
Class Readings (presentation, summary write up)
15%
Case Study research project write up
25%
Case Study presentation
15%
Research Activity: Internet searches
(Discussion and write up)
5%
Research Activity: Interviews.
(Discussion and write up)
7.5%
Research Activity: Field-Trip research sheets.
(Discussion and write up
7.5%
Exam
15%
Total
100%

Class Contents:
Session Number /Date
Class Theme
Assignments and reading and considerations
1: Introduction
Introduction to course content, and material.
h/w:
Internet search: Caribbean culture. To be discussed
next session.

2: PART ONE ? COSTA RICAN CARIBEAN CULTURE ? Building the history and cultural contexts.
Costa Rican Afro-Caribbean History: Part One - from bananas to suffrage.
1) Present internet searches.
2) Present early ideas for research projects/case studies.

3: Double session
City tour: Exploring Costa Rican history and culture in the urban context.
Bring umbrellas, walking shoes, bus money and something to drink (or money for a coffee)

4
Costa Rican Afro-Caribbean History: Part Two ? who?s welfare state? SAPS, free markets and beyond?
Field trip feedback and questionnaires presented and discussed.
Class Readers: La Nacion ? reporting the issues.

5
Focus on the BriBri in Costa Rica.
First part of film - El Caribe.
Class Readers: La Nacion ? reporting the issues.

6
Research session/pay back
Research - Caribbean heroes.

7
Second part - El Caribe.
Discussion: cultural representations and ?the other?

8: PART TWO ? THE BROADER CONTEXT
The Caribbean and its heroes (Haiti, Jamaica, Costa Rica)
? Marcus Garvey Legacy
Presentation of hero case studies.

9
The Carib Territory: history of the Carib Indians.
Presentation of outline/first draft of research project.
Group feedback and support.

10
Fieldtrip: double session.
Museum visit.
Afro Caribbean culture represented in art.
Bring entrance and bus money.

11
Afro -Central American Ethnic Groups: the case of the Garífunas.
Field trip feedback and questionnaires presented and discussed.

12
Research session/pay back

13
Cuban culture.

14
Historical ?Relation? of Haiti with the Dominican Republic.
Class reader: Articles

15: PART THREE ? CONTEMPORARY CARIBBEAN DYNAMICS AND ISSUES
Growing risk ? natural disasters and Caribbean impacts.
Class reader: Articles

16: Fieldtrip
Library visit /NGO/or National Archives

17 Fieldtrip
Library visit /NGO /or National Archives

18
Human rights ? advances and limitations.
Field trip feedback and questionnaires presented and discussed.

19
Gender relations among the Caribbean groups
Class Readers: La Nacion ? reporting the issues.

20
Afro-Caribbean culture and violence.
Class Readers: La Nacion ? reporting the issues.

21
Advances and challenges for sustainable development
Class reader: Articles

22
Black Celebrations.
Bring in some Caribbean music, folk story, art or pictures that appeal to you ? to share with the group.
23: PART FOUR ? PRESENTATIONS AND EVALUATIONS.
Research session

24
Exam / Presentations

EVALUATION SYSTEM
- Participation 15 %
- Attendance to classes and field trips 20 %
- Short evaluation (oral) 20 %
- Special activities and interviews 15 %
- Written final project 30 %

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
(Readings will be provided or students will be guided on where the article can be found)
ADAMS, DAVID P (1996) MALARIA, LABOR, AND POPULATION DISTRIBUTION IN COSTA RICA: A BIOHISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE.. SOURCE: JOURNAL OF INTERDISCIPLINARY HISTORY, VOL. 27, NO. 1 (SUMMER, 1996), PP. 75-85
AGÜERO E. JOSÉ MANUEL (2007) SINDICATOS ENEMIGOS DE LIMÓN. LOS LIMONENSES QUIEREN RESOLVER LOS PROBLEMAS SOCIALES DE SU PROVINCIA. LA NACION. 27 JUN 2007, SAN JOSE.
AGUILAR R. Y MARVIN CARVAJAL (2008) DOS POLICÍAS Y 11 PARTICULARES DETENIDOS POR NARCOTRÁFICO EN LIMÓN LA NACION. 26 AUG 2008
AGUILAR R.Y MARVIN CARVAJAL (2007) 50% DE LOS ASESINADOS EN LIMÓN TENÍAN ANTECEDENTES. LA NACION. 25 NOV 2007, SAN JOSE.
COATES.A. (1997) CENTRAL AMERICA: A NATURAL AND CULTURAL HISTORY. YALE UNIVERSITY PRESS, USA.
CHOMSKY, AVI (1995) AFRO-JAMAICAN TRADITIONS AND LABOR ORGANIZING ON UNITED FRUIT COMPANY PLANTATIONS IN COSTA RICA, 1910. SOURCE: JOURNAL OF SOCIAL HISTORY, VOL. 28, NO. 4 (SUMMER, 1995), PP. 837-855
ECHEVERRI-GENT, ELISAVINDA (1992) FORGOTTEN WORKERS: BRITISH WEST INDIANS AND THE EARLY DAYS OF THE BANANA INDUSTRY IN COSTA RICA AND HONDURAS. SOURCE: JOURNAL OF LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES, VOL. 24, NO. 2 (MAY, 1992), PP. 275-308 PUBLISHED BY: CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS
ECKSTEIN AND WICKHAM-CROWLEY (EDS) (2003) STRUGGLES FOR SOCIAL RIGHTS IN LATIN AMERICA. ROUTLEDGE, LONDON.
ELLISON, AARON M AND ELIZABETH J. FARNSWORTH (1996) ANTHROPOGENIC DISTURBANCE OF CARIBBEAN MANGROVE ECOSYSTEMS: PAST IMPACTS, PRESENT TRENDS, AND FUTURE PREDICTIONS. SOURCE: BIOTROPICA, VOL. 28, NO. 4, PART A. SPECIAL ISSUE: LONG TERM RESPONSES OF CARIBBEAN ECOSYSTEMS TO DISTURBANCES (DEC., 1996), PP. 549-565 PUBLISHED BY: THE ASSOCIATION FOR TROPICAL BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
GÄTJENS, GABRIELA (2007) LABORES DIARIAS DE MUJERES INDÍGENAS REFLEJAN TRADICIÓN. LA NACIÓN 11 JUN, SAN JOSÉ.
HARPELLE, RONALD N. (2000) RACISM AND NATIONALISM IN THE CREATION OF COSTA RICA'S PACIFIC COAST BANANA ENCLAVE AUTHOR(S): SOURCE: THE AMERICAS, VOL. 56, NO. 3 (JAN., 2000), PP. 29-51
HERSHAW, EVA (2007) LOS SOLITARIOS DEL DESIERTO VERDE. LA NACIÓN 7 DE OCTUBRE, SAN JOSÉ.
HILL CAROLE E. AND COTTRELL, LISA (1986) TRADITIONAL MENTAL DISORDERS IN A DEVELOPING WEST INDIAN COMMUNITY IN COSTA RICA. SOURCE: ANTHROPOLOGICAL QUARTERLY, VOL. 59, NO. 1 (JAN., 1986), PP. 1-14 PUBLISHED BY: THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE FOR ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH
JIMÉNEZ, MARIANELA 13 JUN 2007 COSTA RICA APUESTA A FUTURO PARA PRODUCTOS ORGÁNICOS. LA NACIÓN, SAN JOSÉ.
JONES, CLARENCE F. AND PAUL C. MORRISON (1952) EVOLUTION OF THE BANANA INDUSTRY OF COSTA RICA. SOURCE: ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY, VOL. 28, NO. 1 (JAN., 1952), PP. 1-19
LA NACION (2008) LIMÓN MERECE EL DESARROLLO 2 AUG 2008.
LÁSCAREZ, GERARDO (2008) EL VICEMINISTRO DE SEGURIDAD PÚBLICA AFIRMA QUE LA CRIMINALIDADEN LIMÓN SE COMBATIRÁ CON APOYO DE VARIAS ENTIDADES ESTATALES. LA NACION. 14 JULIO 2008
LOVGREN, STEFAN (2008) EARTH CULTIVA BANANOS ?AMIGOS? DEL AMBIENTE. LA NACION 28 JUN 2008, SAN JOSE.
MARQUARDT, STEVE (2001) "GREEN HAVOC": PANAMA DISEASE, ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE, AND LABOR PROCESS IN THE CENTRAL AMERICAN BANANA INDUSTRY. SOURCE: THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL REVIEW, VOL. 106, NO. 1 (FEB., 2001), PP. 49-80
MARQUARDT, STEVE (2002) PESTICIDES, PARAKEETS, AND UNIONS IN THE COSTA RICAN BANANA INDUSTRY, 1938-1962. SOURCE: LATIN AMERICAN RESEARCH REVIEW, VOL. 37, NO. 2 (2002), PP. 3-36 PUBLISHED BY: THE LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION
NIETSCHMANN, BERNARD (1979) ECOLOGICAL CHANGE, INFLATION, AND MIGRATION IN THE FAR WESTERN CARIBBEAN. SOURCE: GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, VOL. 69, NO. 1 (JAN., 1979), PP. 1-24
NYGREN, ANJA (1998) STRUGGLE OVER MEANINGS: RECONSTRUCTION OF INDIGENOUS MYTHOLOGY, CULTURAL IDENTITY, AND SOCIAL REPRESENTATION. SOURCE: ETHNOHISTORY, VOL. 45, NO. 1 (WINTER, 1998), PP. 31-63
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OLIEN, MICHAEL D (1980) BLACK AND PART-BLACK POPULATIONS IN COLONIAL COSTA RICA: ETHNOHISTORICAL RESOURCES AND PROBLEMS. SOURCE: ETHNOHISTORY, VOL. 27, NO. 1 (WINTER, 1980), PP. 13-29
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