SS 150:PEOPLES AND CULTURES OF THE CARIBBEAN
PROFESSOR LAGANA
SPRING 2009: BOOK ANALYSIS PROJECT
There are five books listed on the course outline: you have to read one of them - no exceptions. The five books should all be available at the Queensborough bookstore.
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1) Michele Wucker: Why the Cocks Fight: Dominicans, Haitians and the Struggle for Hispaniola.
2) Polly Patullo. Last Resorts: The Cost of Tourism in the Caribbean.
3) Peter Manuel. Caribbean Currents: Caribbean Music from Rumba to
Reggae.
4) Martha Quinlan. From the Bush: The Front Line of Health Care in a CaribbeanVillage.
5) George Gmelch and Sharon Bohn Gmelch: The Parish Behind God’s Back: The Changing Culture of Rural Barbados.
You have to write an analytical paper (not a high school book report) on the book you’ve chosen to read. This paper must be at least three pages long (it can be longer if you think you have something to say). That means three typed (on standard-sized paper) and double spaced pages. Be sure to staple the pages together before handing it in (pages must also be numbered). Also, make sure that you have a title page in front, with the name of the book you’ve read and your name on it. Papers not done in the proper format will be returned to you without a grade.
The last day for handing in this book paper will be Monday, March 16 - absolutely no extensions and no excuses (you can hand your paper in earlier than March 16). A paper that’s handed in one day late will be penalized one-half of a grade (a B paper will get a B-). A paper that’s handed in more than one day late will be penalized one full grade (a B paper will get a C) A paper handed in more than a week late will not be accepted and you’ll get an F on it. Monday March 23 is the absolute last day for handing in a paper.
Your papers will be graded on the basis of content, organization and the proper use of written English (which means pay attention to spelling, grammar and punctuation). This paper will count for about 25% of your final grade for the course. Try to at least make an effort to write an intelligent, college-level paper.
For each of the five books, here are some questions that you should try to focus your report on. When writing this paper, you should imagine that you’re writing it for someone who knows nothing at all about the subject of the book.
Make sure that what you hand in is entirely your own work and not the work of anyone else. Any evidence of plagiarism will result in a grade of “F” for the semester, no excuses and no second chances. Remember that I know how to use Google so don’t think you can get away with handing in a paper you did not write yourself.
1) Why the Cocks Fight: two countries, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, have shared the island of Hispaniola for about 200 years now. The relationship between the two countries has been, for the most part, one of mutual hostility and conflict. This book explores the political, economic, and cultural factors that underlie the relationship between the two countries. Based on what you read in this book, how would you explain the relationship between Haiti and the Dominican Republic and the various factors that have played a role in the relationship over the past two centuries. How are the two countries different; how are they similar?
2) Last Resorts.: as I’m sure all of you know, the tourist industry is an important part of life in virtually all Caribbean islands. Based on what you’ve read in this book, what kinds of economic, social and ecological effects does the tourist industry have on Caribbean societies? Do you think that the cost of tourism is worth whatever benefits the industry brings to the Caribbean? What are some of the alternatives to traditional tourism that are now being explored by some Caribbean nations?
3) Caribbean Currents: as this book makes clear, the people of the Caribbean have created an incredible variety of popular music forms, some known all over the world (for example, reggae), some not very well known except within their own society (for example, the music created by people of Indian descent in societies like Trinidad). Pick 2 or 3 of the different musical genres that the author covers in this book and discuss what makes these different forms unique, how they evolved, and the impact they’ve had both within the Caribbean and outside the Caribbean (for example, Cuban rumba music in the 1930's was a major influence on musicians in many parts of Africa; reggae music from Jamaica has become popular all over the world).
4) From the Bush: The Front Line of Health Care in a CaribbeanVillage: this book takes you to the community of Bwa Mawego, located on the small island of Dominica. The residents of the village have some interesting ideas about the causes and treatment of illness. Similar idea can be found throughout the Caribbean. In your paper try to answer the following questions:
A). What kinds of illnesses do the people of Bwa Mawego recognize?
B). What do people believe are the causes of these illnesses?
C). What are some of the remedies, herbal and otherwise, that people use to treat these illnesses?
D). What are the choices that people make when it comes to taking care of their health and why do they make these choices?
5) The Parish Behind God’s Back: The Changing Culture of Rural Barbados: what kinds of social, cultural, and economic changes have taken place in the area of Barbados which is the subject of this book. What have been the important factors responsible for these changes? Were these changes the result of changes within Barbadian society or were they changes caused by external factors (for example, the role of the tourist industry). How have these changes affected peoples’ lives and how have people tried to cope with these changes?
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Do your best to write an intelligent, college-level paper. Also remember that the grade you get on this paper will in part depend on proper spelling, grammar, and the general appearance of your paper so pay attention to your writing. These papers are due no later than Monday, March 16.
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REMEMBER:
1 This paper is due no later than Monday, March 16. If your paper is late, the grade on it will be reduced. If it’s one day late, the grade is reduced by one-half (a B paper becomes a B- paper). If its more than one day late, the grade gets reduced even more; a B paper becomes a C paper. If the paper is more than a week late, the grade will be an “F”. No paper will be accepted after Monday March 23. No extensions and no excuses.
2. This paper must be your own work and not the work of anyone else. I want it to be entirely in your own words; don’t just copy from the book and don’t even think about googling the title of the book and copying a review of it. I know how to use Goggle too. Any paper that shows evidence of dishonesty will result in a failing grade for the semester: no excuses and no second chances.
3. Your paper must be typed and it must have a separate title page (no pictures, maps or any other decorations on the title page). Also remember to number your pages.
4. Your paper should be at least three pages long (typed and double spaced on standard sized paper). I will not accept a paper that’s less than 2 and ½ pages long.
4. Your paper has to look neat, with the pages numbered and stapled together.
5. Spelling and grammar count so pay attention to your writing. Use the spelling and grammar checker on your computer and read over your paper before you hand it in.
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