This course focuses primarily, but not exclusively, on the countries of the English-speaking Caribbean, their location in the wider Caribbean Basin and their relations with the rest of the world. We begin by examining a number of competing definitions of the Caribbean and the approaches to regionalism that have been derived from them. We look at the various implications of small size for survival in the international system. We examine Caribbean regional organizations and evolving approaches to regionalism and multilateralism at the start of the 21 st century.

We continue by analyzing the Caribbean’s changing political and economic relations with the rest of the world. We explore the dynamics of the deepening economic and political links among actors within the Caribbean Basin and between themselves and the rest of Latin America. We study the principal issues in Caribbean – US relations and Caribbean-EU relations. We discuss the challenges posed by globalization for Caribbean states and their range of foreign policy responses.

You will be required to participate actively in the tutorials by reading systematically, giving summaries and analytical critiques of the assigned readings, engaging in debates and preparing group presentations on the foreign policies of various Caribbean countries. This course requires considerable general reading and adequate knowledge of Caribbean history and current affairs. For each class there are required readings which you must cover. You are encouraged to make extensive use of the RBC and West Indies collections in the Main Library, journals like Caribbean Affairs, Caribbean Quarterly, CARICOM Perspective, SES, Journal of InterAmerican Studies and World Affairs (now Latin American Political Studies), Caribbean Insight, Caribbean-Central American Regional Report etc., as well as the databases to which the Library provides access. You should also be following the local, regional and international news regularly, whether through the newspapers, radio/television news or via the Internet.

I hope that you enjoy the course and that you have an enjoyable and productive semester.

Coursework: Tutorial participation 15% (5% regular and punctual attendance, 10% active participation in the discussions, debates and presentations).

Mid-semester Take Home Exam (to be distributed week ending October ) and handed in on Monday November – NO EXTENSIONS POSSIBLE) 25%.

• Benn D., Hall K. eds. (2000), Contending with Destiny: The Caribbean in the 21 st Century, Ian Randle, Kingston.
• Benn D., Hall K. eds. (2003), Governance in the Age of Globalization: Caribbean Perspectives, Ian Randle, Kingston.
• Payne A., Sutton P. (2001), Charting Caribbean Development, Macmillan, London.
• Griffith I. ed. (2004), Caribbean Security in the Age of Terror: Challenge and Change, Ian Randle, Kingston.
• Tuchin J., Espach R. eds. (2000), Security in the CaribbeanBasin: The Challenge of Regional Cooperation, Lynne Rienner, Boulder Col.
• Hillman R., D’Agostino T. eds. (2003), Understanding the Contemporary Caribbean, Lynne Rienner, Boulder, Col.
• CARICOM Secretariat (2005), CARICOM: Our Caribbean Community, An Introduction, CARICOM Secretariat, Georgetown.

NB: Sections from the above texts will be used and a number of other readings will be recommended during the classes. For each week there will be required readings. To do well in this course, it is essential to keep up with the readings.