Special Undergraduate Topics CRN:19227

Anthropology of the Caribbean 

University of Texas at El Paso 

Sociology and Anthropology Department

Dr. Victor Vazquez 

 

Due date: Wednesday 12/2 11:59p.m.

Final Written Paper Printed 

“An Anthropological reflection on the inequality conditions in The Caribbean”

The final written paper is a reflection to improve the historical inequality conditions in The Caribbean. 

Final Paper @2000-word (5- 7 pages) research paper due with the following sections.

Be sure that your paper has the main requirements: 

​

Microsoft word document requirement: (50 pts.) 

A.P.A. Times New Roman, font 12, 1.5 space. 

Name, student number 

Title Anthropological reflection focused on_____________

Topic ___________

 - Cover sheet (name, student, number, title)

 - Abstract – Short summary of the paper. 

 - Index/ table of content (5 pts.)

I. Introduction (Write a short paragraph explaining the general objectives of your anthropological paper, present the chosen country from the Spanish Caribbean and present a short outline as to how you are going to address the inequality, talk about the relevance of this paper) (5 pts.)

 II. Historical Background, Colonialism and Inequality in the Caribbean based on the reading The Anthropology of The Latin America and The Caribbean. (10pts)

Answer the following question:

According to chapter 4, explain the 4 points that represent the legacy of colonialism and the contemporary context in the Caribbean. Review page 103-104 (10 pts.)

III. Anthropological Analysis and Conclusions (Elaborate an anthropological analysis answering the following questions: 

Discuss and summarize one news article, or article from the Spanish Caribbean focused on inequality and explain how this affected the population, the economy, or in general the country. (5pts.)

Discuss your opinion in regards to how the international aid could contribute and address the main problems in Caribbean. How the U.S.A. and the Union European international policy could contribute.  (5pts.)

Conclusions - Suggests solutions and personal reflection how to improve this problem using your anthropological approach, talk about how the anthropological research conducted in the Caribbean could contribute to change the colonialism, dependency mentality in the population. Talk about how to improve the education, collective awareness, Government Services. Final sentences should pertain to your expectations and something that draw your attention on the Spanish Caribbean.  (5pts.)

Remember: 

The Spanish Caribbean means Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico. 

Suggested Topics

• Puerto Rico – Political Status, History, Nuyorican Culture, Migration, Social Movement, Contemporary Problem, Crisis, Political Crisis, Bankrupt, Reggaeton Music, Salsa Music, Corruption, Drug Trafficking, Gastronomy, Art, Future. Estado Libre Asociado – Commonwealth, Poverty, Globalization Impact. Colonization.

• Dominican Republic - History, Border problems, Poverty, Racism, Music, Corruption, Drug trafficking, Migration, Dominicans Community in USA, Sexual Tourism, Gastronomy, Politics, Education, Art, Globalization Impact, Society, Music, Bachata, Reggaeton, Merengue, Contemporary Problems.

• Cuba – History, Political Problems, Castro Revolution, Poverty, Migration, Sexual Tourism, Gastronomy, Socialism, Communism, Surviving, Contemporary Problems, Relationship with USA, The figure of EL CHE Guevarra, Impact of Castro’s Dead, Future of Cuba. 

Other topics: Sport, Music, Culture, Informal Economy, Corruption, How the larger countries took advantage of the Caribbean? Exploitation, Political System, Neoliberalism, Migration, Hurricanes, Natural Resources, Sexual Tourism, Surviving Inequality, Class disparity, Social Movements, Chain of colonialism, Independence, Level of poverty. You can add other topics. 

 

Sources

•Puerto Rico Newspaper:

•https://www.elnuevodia.com/english/

•http://www.sanjuanweeklypr.com/index.html

•https://www.nytimes.com/search?query=puerto+rico

•https://islandsofpuertorico.com/puerto-rico-news/

•https://www.nytimes.com/topic/destination/puerto-rico

•Dominican Republic Newspaper:

•theAdscene.com

•Camino – weekly religious newspaper.

•El Caribe (Santo Domingo)

•Clave (Santo Domingo) - free weekly newspaper.

•El Día (Santo Domingo) – free newspaper.

•Diario a Diario (Santo Domingo) – weekly newspaper.

•Diario Libre (Santo Domingo) – free newspaper.

Sources

•Cuban Newspaper

•https://havanatimes.org/

•http://www.cubanews.acn.cu/

•https://www.theguardian.com/world/cuba

•http://www.cubaheadlines.com/

•http://en.granma.cu/

-References (at least 5- 10 academic references) (5 pts.)