Fall 2007 Advance Course Information

This information is effective for fall 2007. Check with the instructor the first day of class for any changes.

Merrill College

[MERR-150]

150. Caribbean Migrations.

Instructor: James Conrad,
                   Merrill College Visiting Professor,
                   Professor at University of Birmingham, England

Course Description:

Migration has been pivotal in the shaping of Caribbean history and political culture for centuries. Through literature, film and essay, this course examines key issues concerning the politics of migration and the contingent construction of Caribbean diasporic communities in London and Toronto, but will also consider issues concerning the Caribbean presence in New York. The course engages with questions of displacement, tradition, cultural transformation and the re-negotiation of a range of identities.

Satisfies the "E" general education requirement
Enrollment restricted to juniors, seniors and graduate students.
Enrollment limited to 30.

Required Reading:

• Lillian Allen, Women Do This Everyday
• Dionne Brand, In Another Place, Not Here
• Austin Clarke, The Meeting Point
• Andrea Levy, Small Island
• Samuel Selvon, The Lonely Londoners

Main Films:

• Stephanie Black, Life and Debt
• Angel Muniz, Nueba Yol 3
• Clement Virgo, Rude

Evaluation:

Students will be graded on attendance and participation, and on five "response" papers of 4 to 5 pages each due in weeks 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. A final examination is not required for this course.

[top of page]