History of the Caribbean since 1898 (01:595:205/01:508:272) Department of Latino and Hispanic Caribbean Studies / Department of History Rutgers University, Fall 2014 Tuesday and Thursday, 3:20 p.m.-4:40 p.m. (Period 5), Livingston Campus Prof. Kathleen López Office: 263A Lucy Stone Hall, Livingston Campus Office Hours: TBA E-mail: [email protected] Course Description Situated at the historical crossroads of Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the United States, the Caribbean has played a pivotal role in global transformations since 1492. The Spanish-Cuban- American War of 1898 marks an important historical milestone in the region. After this war, the United States took possession of Cuba and Puerto Rico and eventually expanded its role with direct interventions in Central America and the Caribbean. The region’s past illuminates many of the critical junctures and central contradictions of modern history: colonialism and independence, slavery and freedom, racial hierarchy and political equality, despotism and revolution, nationalism and transnationalism, and migration and creolization. This course provides an overview of the history of the Caribbean since the formation of the U.S. sphere of influence in 1898. Emphasis is on the Hispanic Caribbean (Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico) and Haiti; we will also consider English- and French-speaking states and coastal Central America. Course Learning Goals This course satisfies the following SAS Core Learning Goals in Social and Historical Analysis: [H] Understand the bases and development of human and societal endeavors across time and place. [I] Explain and be able to assess the relationship among assumptions, method, evidence, arguments, and theory in social and historical analysis. [L] Employ historical reasoning to study human endeavors. [HST Historical Analysis] [M] Understand different theories about human culture, social identity, economic entities, political systems, and other forms of organization. [SCL Social Analysis] Additionally, by the end of the semester students will be able to: • understand the significance of the formation of the U.S. sphere of influence in 1898 for Caribbean history and society • define and understand the basic processes and concepts of colonialism, neocolonialism, imperialism, dependence, development, and migration • identify Caribbean cities and states on a map and differentiate according to colonial heritage and political status • develop critical thinking skills through engagement with historical scholarship and analysis of primary sources For History Learning Goals, see http://history.rutgers.edu/undergraduate/learning-goals For LHCS Learning Goals, see http://latcar.rutgers.edu/learninggoals.html Course Readings Required Books: Edwidge Danticat, The Farming of Bones (Penguin, 1999) [ISBN-13: 9780140280494] Recommended Books: Franklin W. Knight and Colin A. Palmer, eds., The Modern Caribbean (University of North Carolina, 1989) [ISBN-13: 978-0807842409] All books are available at the university bookstore and on reserve in Alexander Library. Additional readings, historic documents, websites, and newspaper and magazine articles are available on Sakai Resources. Course Requirements and Assessment Reading Journals (10) = 20% (Weekly) Class Participation = 10% Midterm Exam = 25% U.S. Media Coverage Assignment = 20% Final Exam = 25% Reading Journals: Short, informal written responses (1-2 pages) and/or blog entries will be essential to understanding the material and to fruitful class discussions. Topics and guidelines for reading journals will be posted each week on Sakai. A total of 10 journal entries (worth 2 points each) are generally due on Thursdays before class. Class Participation: Class participation consists of attendance, thoughtful contributions to in- class and on-line discussions, and class activities. Midterm Exam: The in-class midterm exam will require you to demonstrate knowledge of Caribbean history, geography, and society through the middle of the twentieth century. It will consist of a map, short answer questions, and a primary source analysis. U.S. Media Coverage Assignment: Each week I will post additional newspaper and magazine articles on the Caribbean. In this short paper, you will critically analyze the coverage of a contemporary or historic U.S. media source on the Caribbean. Guidelines will be posted. You may submit it anytime during the second half of the class. Final Exam: The final exam will require you to provide in-depth, written analyses of major issues and concepts in Caribbean history and society using course material. LHCS Grading Scale A=93-100, B+=89-92, B=81-88, C+=77-80, C=70-76, D=65-69, F=64 and below .