BACHELOR OF EDUCATION IN SOCIAL STUDIES

SPECIALIZATION: Secondary Social Studies

COURSE NAME: Politics and Regional Development

COURSE CODE: SS300SEB

YEAR: 3

SEMESTER: 1

NUMBER OF CREDITS: 3

NUMBER OF HOURS: 45 hours

PREREQUISITES: NONE

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course explores the development of politics and regional development in the Caribbean. It
is designed to give students an understanding of the theoretical foundations of politics and issues
underpinning regional development. This requires students to grasp important political concepts
and ideas. The course also examines the nature of politics, political theories and systems. As a
result of participation in this course students should be able to show an understanding of the
issues impacting regional development as well as an appreciation of the importance of politics in
regional development

UNIT 1. Name: Political Concepts and Ideas

No of hours: 15 Hours

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Student teachers should be able to:

1. define and use key concepts correctly

2. assess the levels and modes of political participation
3. examine the agencies of political socialization
4. analyse political theories and perspectives
5. examine the application of different political theories to Caribbean states
6. critique selected political models in the Caribbean
7. expound on the role of government and representational politics.
 8. Present an argument on the value of political participation and positive activism
9. Demonstrate willingness to accept new
10. Show appreciation for country’s political culture
11. Develop an understanding of political theories
12. Appreciate the uniqueness of different nation political culture

CONCEPTS

Politics Political Socialization

Party politics Political Systems
Power Political Participation
Authority Bureaucracy
Influence Citizen
Political Culture Constitution
Democracy Separation of powers
Checks and Balances Balance of Power
Pressure Group Veto

CONTENT

1. Nature of politics
2. Relationship between power and authority in governance
3. Political Socialization and participation
i. Levels and modes of political participation
ii. Agencies of political socialization
4. Political authority in relation to the state
i. Sources and types of authority
5. Modes of behaviour
6. Responsible / appropriate civic behaviour-lobbying using the media, volunteerism,
community involvement , voting
7. Political theories and perspectives - Marx, Functionalist, Weber , Locke
8. Impact of Locke’s theory on the constitution of the US and Jamaica
9. Tenets of Marxism and socialism
ii. Cuban Socialist Revolution
10. Political models in the English speaking Caribbean
i. Westminster Model
ii. US and other variation
iii. Constitutional Monarchy- Jamaica, Barbados
iv. Democratic Republic- Trinidad and Tobago
v. Crown Colony –Cayman Island and Montserrat
UNIT 2. Name: Garveyism and Contemporary Society

No. of hours: 10 Hours

Concepts

Garveyism Economic Nationalism

Self Reliance Social

Perseverance Philosophy

Political conditions National hero

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Student teachers should be able to:

1. assess the life and work of Marcus Garvey

2. analyze the political , social and economic conditions during Garvey’s time.
3. evaluate Garvey’s involvement in politics
4. critique Garvey’s philosophy
5. examine the relevance of Garvey’s philosophy to contemporary society
6. evaluate Garvey’s contribution to nation building
7. Appreciate the teachings of Marcus Garvey
8. Discuss the relevance of Garvey’s Teaching in contempory society

CONTENT

1. Life and work of Marcus Garvey

2. Garvey’s involvement in politics
3. Economic , social and political conditions during Garvey’s time
4. Garvey’s philosophy and its relevance to contemporary society

UNIT 3. Name: Nation Builders

No. of hours: 8 Hours

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Student teachers should be able to:

1. define and use key concepts correctly

2. evaluate the role of nation builders in national development
3. describe the qualities of a nation builder
4. identify nation builders
 5. discuss the importance of nation builders to national development
6. Assign and accept responsibilities through group activities
7. Be willing to participate in and attend Heroes Day celebrations

Concepts

Nation Builders Heroes

Agent of change values
Development community

CONTENT

1. Qualities of a nation builder

2. Emergence of nation builders/ leaders in: - local, regional and international
3. Life and work of nation builders in
i. Education
ii. Sports
iii. Politics
iv. Agriculture
v. Social Work
vi. Arts
vii. Science and Technology
viii. Health Services

UNIT 4. Name: Regional Development

No. of hours: 12 Hours

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Student teachers should be able to:

1. discuss theories of development in the Caribbean

2. examine European influence in the Caribbean
3. discuss factors influencing regional integration in the Caribbean
4. assess attempts at and implications of regional integration in the Caribbean
5. discuss measures to overcome the constraints to Caribbean integration
6. articulate how an individual can contribute to regional and national development
7. analyze the effect of developmental policies on the social and physical environments in
the Caribbean.
8. describe different forms of globalization
9. examine the arguments of opponents and proponents of globalization
10. debate the advantages and disadvantages of globalization on Caribbean development
11. Make decisions and justify them
12. Critically appraise the level of development our region have gone through.
Concepts

Regional Development CARICOM

CARIFTA CSME
Federation Nation Builders
Development Integration
Economy Developing
Underdeveloped Persistent Poverty
Sustainable Development Economic Growth

CONTENT:

1. Theorizing Caribbean Development

Weber, Marx, M. Manley, Eric Williams, Edward Seaga

2. European influence in the Caribbean:

i. Colonialism
ii. Emancipation
iii. Independence
iv. Neo- colonialism

3. Caribbean Integration:
i. West Indies Federation
ii. CARIFTA
iii. CARICOM
iv. CSME
v. Benefits of Caribbean integration to development
vi. Factors limiting Caribbean integration
vii. Implications for Nation States
viii. Measures to encourage regional integration
ix. Integration for Sustainable Development

3. Globalization
- Definition
- Role of multi-nationals, trade agreements, telecommunication etc. in globalization
- Forms of globalization: political, cultural, social, economic (Caribbean examples)
- arguments for and against globalization
- impact on the Caribbean (benefits, challenges)

TEACHING METHODS
Lecture/discussions
Debates
Group work
Panel discussions
in- class presentations
individual research
ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES

Written Examination 50%

2 questions of 6 in 2 hours

Course work 50%

 Portfolio 20%
 Research and presentation 20%
 Case study 10%

RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND REQUIRED READING

Barrow-Giles, Cynthia. (2002). Introduction to Caribbean Politics. Kingston, Jamaica: Ian

Randle Publishers.

DK Publishing. (2006). How Governments Work: The Inside Guide to the Politics of the World.
New York: Dorling Kindersley Limited

Garvey, Amy Jacques. (1989). The Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey: or, Africa for
the Africans. Dover, Massachusetts: The Majority Press

Grugel, Jean. (1995). Politics and Development in the Caribbean Basin: Central America and
the Caribbean in the New World Order. Jamaica: Macmillan

Heywood, Andrew. (2011). Global Politics. New York: Palgrave-Macmillan

Martin, Tony (Ed.). (1986). Marcus Garvey, Message to the People: The Course of African
Philosophy. Dover, Massachusetts: The Majority Press

Munroe, Trevor. (1993). An Introduction to Politics for First Year Students. UWI, Jamaica:
Canoe Press

Payne, Anthony. (1994). Politics in Jamaica (Revised Edition). Kingston, Jamaica: Ian Randle
Publishers

Potter, R. Et al. (2004). Geographies of Development. Essex, England: Pearson-Prentice Hall

Shively, Phillip. (2005). Power and Choice: An Introduction to Political Science: Boston:
McGraw Hill
Singh, Paul. (1972). Local Democracy in the Commonwealth Caribbean: A study of Adaptation
and Growth. Kingston, Jamaica: Longman Caribbean

Stone, Carl. (1980). Democracy and Clientelism in Jamaica. New Brunswick: Transaction
Books

Stone, Carl. (1989). Politics versus Economics: The 1989 Elections in Jamaica. Kingston,
Jamaica: Heinemann Publishers (Caribbean) Ltd.