Jamaican Travel Interim January 2005
Dr. Dave Pittman & Dr. John Lefebvre

REGISTRATION DETAILS:  Print and complete this FORM. Bring the form and a deposit check of $1000 made out to Wofford College to Ms. Sheorn the administrative assistant for the psychology department (RMSC 202E) NO LATER THAN 1 PM on Monday, Sept. 27. Register online for the Interim on Tuesday, Sept. 28.  If there are more than 20 students requesting to enroll, then your completed forms will be used to select the top 20 students.  Your deposit will be returned if you are not selected.  Contact us with questions:  pittmandw@wofford.edu  or   lefebvrejc@wofford.edu

Becoming a successful Caribbean nation:  The culture, politics, and economy of post-colonial Jamaica.

Jamaica has become a successful independent Caribbean nation, in part due to the success of its tourist industry.  The journey from a colonial state to the present day was not without political, economic, and cultural struggles.  In the first week, we will examine about the political and economic developments from the independence of Jamaica in 1962 to the present day.  Then we will embark on a two-week exploration of modern Jamaica.  In Montego Bay, we will learn about post-colonial plantations, the sugar and rum industry, and the Maroon villages.  We will visit the Black River wetlands, Ye Falls, and the cockpit country in appreciation of the culture and ecology found in the Western portion of the island.  In Kingston, we will examine the impact of Bob Marley on the politics and culture of Jamaica.  In addition we will tour the Jamaica National Gallery and explore coffee plantations in the Blue Mountains.  Finally from Ocho Rios, we will examine the interaction of tourism and ecology through trips to Dunn River Falls, the Rio Grande gorge, the Blue Lagoon, and the birthplace and mausoleum of Bob Marley.  The course will conclude with student presentations analyzing a specific aspect of post-colonial Jamaica.

Students will have the unique opportunity to look behind the tourist-surface of Jamaica as we strive to understand the political, economic, and social struggles associated with becoming a successful post-colonial Caribbean nation.
Specific Academic Objectives:

  1. Learn about the history of Jamaica in specific regard to the independence and post-colonial periods;
  2. Learn about the past and present economy as well as future economic developments;
  3. Learn about the culture of Jamiaca;
  4. Learn about the ecology of Jamaica and its role in the economy and culture.
ITINERARY:
WEEK 1:
Monday through Friday:  Daily meetings from 1-5 PM to learn about the post-colonial history, culture, politics, and economics of Jamaica.  These class sessions will include lectures and class discussions of the readings.
Saturday:  Travel from Wofford to Montego Bay, Jamaica check in at the Sunset Beach Resort.
WEEK 2:  Each evening the group will have dinner together and discuss the day’s activities.
Sunday:  Walking tour of Montego Bay
Monday:  Tour of the Great Houses and Plantations
Tuesday:  Tour of Maroon Town
Wednesday:  Hiking in Cockpit Country: “Quashie River Sink and Cave Tour”
Thursday:   Tour Sugar and Rum production at Appleton Rum Estates
Friday:  South Coast Safaris tour of the Black River mangrove swamps and exploring Y.S. Falls
Saturday: Depart Montego Bay, travel by private motor coach to Kingston, check into the Knutsford Hotel.
WEEK 3: Each evening the group will have dinner together and discuss the day’s activities.
Sunday:  Tour Port Royal, Fort Charles, and Lime Cay.
Monday:  Morning:  Bob Marley Tour, Afternoon: Jamaica National Gallery Tour
Tuesday:  Sunventure Blue Mountain Tour: Overnight Camp & Sunrise Hike
Wednesday: Depart Kingston, travel by motor coach to Ocho Rios, check into Sans Souci.
Thursday:  Morning: Hike the Rio Grande Gorge, Afternoon: Explore the Blue Lagoon (snorkeling)
Friday:  Tour Dunn River Falls
Saturday:  Tour the Bob Marley Centre & Mausoleum
\WEEK 4:
Sunday:  No scheduled daytime activities, students are may utilize the resort facilities – In the evening there will be a conclusory group discussion of our time spent in Jamaica.
Monday:  Return travel from Jamaica to Wofford.  Tuesday: Class meeting from 1-2 PM to allow debriefing and a conclusory discussion of the experiences in Jamaica.  Student will be preparing their final assignments.  Wednesday through Friday:  Daily student presentations of his or her analysis of post-colonial Jamaica from 1-5 PM.  Each presentation should have a duration of approximately 30 minutes allowing 7 students to present each day.
REQUIREMENTS:
Each student will conduct a written analysis (5-10 pages) of a specific aspect of post-colonial Jamaica.  This analysis will incorporate published sources as well as personal experiences from the student’s time in Jamaica.  In addition to the written assignment, each student will present an oral presentation (30 minutes) of his or her analysis to the entire class.

ESTIMATED COST:
$2900 includes all airfare, hotel lodging, all recreational activities on the all-inclusive hotel properties, all meals in Montego Bay and Ocho Rios (3 days in Kingston meals not included), tours, and transportation including tips for guides and service personnel.