Global Media in Jamaica

Film Studies - English Dept

Location
Petersfield, Jamaica

Description

By definition, since the beginning of written history, humankind has been concerned with the text and the ability to transmit information from one generation to the next by way of signification through words . Prior to written history, it seems that this process was informed by certain oral traditions by way of signification and mythmaking, often called storytelling . Yet, today it could be argued that oral traditions still exist as a text of sorts, since technology, by way of various methods of audio recording, still manages to make possible the mechanical reproduction of oral texts.

By grappling with certain critical discourses by way of texts prior to arriving in country, and then through participating in various in-country activities, class discussions, field trips, and keeping a journal the students will be encouraged to engage certain texts while in country which explore various Ñimagesâ of Jamaica, and ultimately create a final project that is informed by the understanding of textual representation gained, developed, and problematized throughout the course.

How is the concept of the foreign complicated by the position of the tourist and the texts produced within these frameworks? With this suspicious claim also goes the notion of the multiple medias through which texts can be produced in today's culture. How has the ubiquitous nature of the internet, cable, TV commercials, and music videos changed our relationship to more traditional texts like novels, plays, essays, and poetry?

This course will focus on the textuality of Ñcomparative mediaâ by examining differing texts that deal with Jamaica mainly; however, from time to time we will examine media centered around and drawn from other cultures. Examples of texts we could explore include documentary film, hip hop music, short stories, poetry, plays, and websites.

The student will consider these questions as we explore various texts, and record his or her thoughts in journal. Active participation in discussion of these topics will also be expected, culminating in the student developing and completing their own textual production.

Jamaica
Jamaica will stimulate you on all levels. It's stunning beauty, tropical climate, ripe fruit, and warm ocean seas will constantly amaze you. With this beauty also comes a complex history that includes colonization and the slave trade. In recent years, Jamaica has been seriously affected by International Monetary Fund and World Bank policies as it struggles to keep its small economy competitive in the global market. Jamaica's economic legacy lies in the sugar industry but its current economy is based on tourism. Small, rural Jamaican communities still depend on the sugar industry for jobs and growth and they fear the changes that will come as this industry declines. Students will experience life in a rural sugar farming community. Cultural field trips to Negril and other local beaches are possible.

The Association of Clubs, the grassroots organization that will host us, was founded in the sugar co-op era of the 1970s as part of an effort to empower sugar workers, whose work conditions still at that time in many ways resembled conditions under slavery. Their work includes educating ordinary Jamaicans about the global economy. Other education programs have focused on the future of the sugar industry in the region, AIDS, and other health issues. They have engaged in projects to develop affordable housing, to teach young people leadership skills, to disseminate video production skills as a tool for community organizing, to equalize the playing field for rural athletes, and to develop small-scale enterprise in chicken-farming, craft production, and more.

Students will have the opportunity to stay in homestays with local Jamaican families. The homestay experience has been rated as one of the best aspects of our Jamaica courses as host families provide real insight into the community and Jamaican culture.

Details

Instructor: Gregory Allen


Credits: 6

Service-Learning Abroad: May 8 - 28, 2004

Credits Awarded: Credits are awarded for this course through the University of Pittsburgh. This course fulfills Topics in Film (ENGLIT 1480) for 3 credits and Independent Study in English Literature (ENGLIT 1901) for 3 credits.