CARIBBEAN STUDIES

CARIBBEAN STUDIES

PAST PAPER REVIEW2009

QUESTION ONE

Explain what is meant by the following terms:

Plural society Mestizo dougla

RESPONSE A plural society is one in which there are

several distinct racial/ethnic groups who interact with each other, but keep distinct lines between them in fundamental areas.

Mestizo was the name given to individuals of European and Amerindian heritage

Dougla refers to an individual who is mixed with African and East Indian ancestry.

QUESTION TWO Define the term ‘soil erosion’.

RESPONSE The continuous removal of the top

layer of soil from the surface of the land, whether by the action of the wind, water, gravity, earth movements or by mankind.

QUESTION THREE Describe TWO processes that have

contributed to soil erosion in the Caribbean

RESPONSE Landslides, flooding, hurricanes,

extreme wave action Deforestation in places like Haiti could

be a major cause of soil erosion.

QUESTION FOUR Name TWO groups of indentured

labourers who were brought to the Caribbean after emancipation in 1838.

RESPONSE East Indians Chinese

QUESTION FIVE Give TWO reasons why EACH group of

indentured labourers were brought to the Caribbean.

RESPONSE The search for the cheapest supply of

labour The shortage or scarcity of labour in

some colonies The deliberate use of indentured

immigrants to frustrate the formerly enslaved.

QUESTION SIX Explain what is meant by the term ‘the

family as a social institution.’

RESPONSE This refers to the primary social unit

which socialises the infant and growing young person in the morals, values and practices of the basic human unit and the wider society as a whole.

QUESTION SEVEN Outline TWO reasons why many

Caribbean family forms were considered ‘dysfunctional’ by colonial authorities.

RESPONSE The nuclear family was seen as the

norm and the colonial authorities did not regard Caribbean families, such s those with single parents, or extended families as proper forms

These families were matrifocal as in Africa and this offended the sense of male superiority held by colonial authorities and the belief in male supremacy in the European household.

QUESTION EIGHT Describe Two ways in which immigrant

labour from the Caribbean has impacted on the economies of Europe and North America.

RESPONSE Caribbean migrants become

consumers in the host economies and so further contribute to the economies

Migrant labour provides these countries with relatively cheap labour, especially in the manual, menial jobs which natives do not wish to perform.

QUESTION NINE Describe One way in which Cuban

immigrants have influenced policy in North America.

RESPONSE The powerful Cuban lobby in Florida

has had a direct impact on legislation, regulating legal and illegal migration from Cuba to the US. IT has also served as a powerful pressure group that has affected governance and voting in the U.S.

QUESTION TEN Define the term ‘per capita income’.

RESPONSE Per capita income is the total income

earned from goods and services produced by a country in one year divided by the total population for that country in that year.

QUESTION ELEVEN Explain ONE way in which ‘levels of

income’ is a better indicator of development than ‘per capita income’.

RESPONSE Levels of income is a better indicator of

development because levels of income speaks to categories of income of a variety of individuals such as teachers, lawyers, construction workers. These categories can be used to indicate the growth levels in an economy especially when these levels of income are rising.

QUESTION TWELVE Define the term ‘popular movement’

RESPONSE A popular movement is one that is

initiated by the ideas of the masses, or was developed for the masses. It can have local or international appeal.

QUESTION THIRTEEN Describe Two ways in which a named

popular movement in the Caribbean has contributed to national identity.

RESPONSE Rastafarianism has created a sense of

black consciousness Rastafarianism has contributed to our

rejection of colonial/European rule.

QUESTION FOURTEEN Explain what is meant by the ‘mutual

advantage’ concept of social justice.

RESPONSE Refers to the social contract that exists

between the state and its citizens, whether written or unwritten. The state is expected to protect the rights of its citizens in so far as the citizens are expected to obey the laws and statutes of the state.

QUESTION FIFTEEN Distinguish between ‘prejudice’ and

‘discrimination’.

RESPONSE Prejudice is born of emotion, it is an

attitude, a strong belief that is personal and subjective. Discrimination is action oriented and involves action that is directed against an individual or group. The difference between the two is that prejudice does not move beyond the realm of belief and thus inflicts no physical harm on the person or group targeted.

QUESTION SIXTEEN Define the term ‘mass media’.

RESPONSE The mass media refers to all those

channels which communicate messages to large audiences simultaneously. These channels can be placed in two categories – the print media and the electronic media.`

QUESTION SEVENTEEN Explain ONE way in which the

Caribbean mass media has hindered the promotion of a Caribbean entertainment industry

RESPONSE The mass media in the Caribbean

engages in the broadcast of foreign entertainment, thereby promoting foreign values and crowding out local entertainment

The mass media only portrays caribbean artistes when they are recognized by international music labels e.g. Sean Paul, Rihanna

QUESTION EIGHTEEN Explain One way in which the mass

media has assisted in the promotion of Caribbean entertainment internationally.

RESPONSE Engaging in the promotion of

entertainment through advertising and the broadcast of live concerts.

QUESTION NINETEEN Explain the term ‘pan –africanism’.

RESPONSE Pan –Africanism is an ideology which

regards Africa and African people as a unit and it thus promotes the unification of African people and the glorification of the african past.

QUESTION TWENTY Give one reason why some interest

groups in the Caribbean opposed Pan –Africanism.

RESPONSE The white planter merchant class was

the main opposition group who saw the education and enlightenment of the former enslaved as maintaining colonialism.

QUESTION 21 State ONE way in which Pan –

Africanists attempted to unite people of the African diaspora.

RESPONSE Through organizing pan-African

conferences and newspapers which promoted the idea of African unification.

ESSAY QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1 Examine THREE measures that

Caribbean countries can implement to minimize the danger posed to coral reefs in the region. (20 marks)

RESPONSE Educating individuals and groups such as

fishermen, farmers hoteliers and even tourists would be part of the effort to increase awareness about the importance of reefs and to encourage all to protect them.

Governments have established and should continue to establish marine-protected zones around important coastal regions inhabited by coral species and fish as the official stance or policy in the fight to guard the reefs.

RESPONSE Laws should be passed to protect the

shoreline and to establish activities that would be viewed as criminal and against the environment. Such laws would be against pollution of the seas and would guard against activities such as trawling, a method of fishing that can damage the reef and alter its environment.

RESPONSE With legislation in place, marine

officers would be empowered to protect the coastline and be watchful of cruise ships and large yachts, that have been noted to damage the reefs.

RESPONSE Governments could adopt a regional

approach to the issue in an effort to provide a central policy. This would allow for a united stance against criminal and negligent activities that damage the reefs. Governments could share intelligence of the issue and benefit from a collective aproach.

QUESTION 2 Examine THREE ways in which the

justice system, as a social institution, impacts on society and culture.

RESPONSE Note that the impact of the system in

individual territories has been immense, positive and has brought about far-reaching benefits.

Highlight as wellthe short- comings of the system.

RESPONSE Answers to include things such as: Unfair trials Acts of discrimination, based on race,

gender, colour and age Loop-holes in the system which enables

wealthy persons to escape punishments Positive – implementation of the CCJ. Positive – is moving towards a moral

approach of examining human rights abuses etc….

QUESTION 3 Using examples from the Caribbean,

describe the importance of EACH of the following concepts:

1. economic development

2. political development

3. social political(20 marks)

RESPONSE Ecnomic development – students are

expected to define this concept as well as to show how improvements in other areas of society would not be possible without this form of development.

QUESTION 4 Describe THREE ways in which

discrimination against women hinders development in the region. (20 marks)

RESPONSE The concept of development includes

the increase in productivity in society and therefore society must make full use of its female and male citizens. When women are prevented from taking part in the workforce, a key impact would be the reduction of poverty.

RESPONSE Gender discrimination leads to lack of

leadership skills and lack of knowledge that would contribute to the advancement of society.

QUESTION 5 Account for the changing role that

race, colour and ethnic affiliation play in Caribbean society and culture.

(30 marks)

RESPONSE Can be argued from TWO sides: On one hand you can state that race,

colour and ethnicity continue to dominate interactions in society.

On the other hand, you can state that with the coming of Independence, persons `````````

QUESTION 6 “There is no single Caribbean culture”.Do you agree? Provide arguments and

examples to support your answer.

QUESTION 7

“The ultimate goal of CARICOM is to institute a single government for CARICOM member states.

If this goal becomes a reality, discuss the ways in which this development may help OR hinder the movement towards Caribbean integration.

QUESTION 8

“Tourism has advanced development in the Caribbean”.

Present arguments for AND against this statement.