Through the advanced study of history, students should acquire the skills and knowledge that will extend the scope of their general education and provide a foundation for the professional study of history.  The course of study prescribed in this syllabus seeks to enhance the interests, capabilities, skills and attitudes of students to enable them to develop as autonomous human beings capable of acting as rational and ethical individuals, and as responsible members of their community.

The discipline of history consists of three aspects – its content, its organising principles, and its methods of enquiry.  The syllabus seeks to promote these aspects of the historian’s craft and has been organised accordingly.  Its content emphasises the historical experience of the peoples of the Caribbean in the context of the Atlantic region.

The concept of an Atlantic region is central to the syllabus.  It emphasises the geo-political as well as socio-economic relations among the societies on all the shores of the Atlantic, of Africa with Europe, of Africa with the Americas and the Americas with Europe; but the syllabus does not ignore the interaction between the Atlantic World and other geographical regions such as Asia.  The syllabus also takes into account the roles played by indigenous peoples, African, Europeans and Asians and other nineteenth century immigrants of both genders, in the creation of Caribbean societies.  It recognises that a degree of instability characterised the Atlantic World because of the unequal power relations that developed with colonialism.

The selection, structure and content of themes and modules have been informed by a desire to promote an understanding of the historical as well as the contemporary relationships among the nations and societies on the Atlantic shores.  The syllabus has been organised to enhance the in-depth study of themes that will enable students to acquire and practice the skills of the historian.

The aims and objectives of this syllabus are identified with reference to the diverse methods of historical enquiry.  The historian raises questions, identified problems, gathers evidence, collates ad interprets information, makes informed judgements and reports conclusions.  The objectives of the Units and Modules are designed to enable students to develop the skills of the historian, and to prepare them for participation in the life of their community.

The syllabus aims to:

• Develop an understanding of the Caribbean world by locating it within the larger history of the Atlantic region;
• Develop knowledge and understanding of the historical linkages between the peoples of the Caribbean and people in other areas of the world;
• Assist students to view themselves as citizens of states and as persons sharing a common Caribbean culture;
• Stimulate an interest in the past and an appreciation of the processes of change and continuity, similarities and differences;
• Enable the recognition of social, political and economic contradictions, paradoxes and ambiguities;
• Enable an understanding of contemporary beliefs and value systems;
• Encourage the development of a sense of moral responsibility and commitment to social justice, gender equity and respect for people of different ethnicities;
• Produce students who will be able to understand a world characterised by rapid scientific and technological changes;
• Prepare students for tertiary education in the study of history and other disciplines.

The syllabus is arranged into two Units.  Each Unit consists of three Modules, each Module requiring 50 contact hours.

Unit 1: The Caribbean in the Atlantic World

• Module 1: Indigenous Societies
• Module 2: Slave Systems: Character and Dismantlement
• Module 3: Freedom in Action

Unit 2: Atlantic World and Global Transformations

• Module 1: Atlantic World: Interactions
• Module 2: Atlantic Development: Identity and Industry
• Module 3: International Relations: Conflict and Liberation