OFFICIAL COURSE BULLETIN DESCRIPTION

3 hours; 3 credits

The formation of Caribbean societies and their impact on the United States. Migration to the United States, its selection process and settlement patterns. The transformation of immigrants in the United States and their transformation of American society. (Not open to students who have completed Core Curriculum 3207.) 2017-2018 and 2018-2019: Satisfies Pathways College Option requirement. Starting Fall 2019 qualifies as an Inter-Cultural Competency (ICC) course for Pathways College Option purposes.

Prerequisite: English 1010 or permission of the department and junior standing.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

After the implementation of the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, there was a boom in immigration to the United States by Caribbean nationals – now entering and living in largely urban cites and having a great impact on the social, political and economic status and structures of these cities. The term “Caribbeanization” has therefore “been used to denote the increasing impact of Caribbean immigrants and citizens on the political scene of urban cities” after 1965“( caribbeanstudies.org). However, the Caribbean presence has been felt long before 1965 and as early as the 17th century. In this course, we will therefore examine such a presence in North America and will culminate with an interrogation (readings and mapping for example) of the Caribbean presence in New York City.

In addition to discussing Caribbean migration to the United States, its selection process and settlement patterns, we will also look at the transformation of immigrants in the United States, their transformation of American society and the creation of diasporic Caribbean spaces.

COURSE INFORMATION

• Lecturer: Aleah N. Ranjitsingh, Ph.D.
• Email: [email protected] 
• Contact: 718-951-5000 Ext. 1727
• Office: 3103 James Hall
• Class hours and modality: Asynchronous/Online 
• Office hours and modality: Wednesdays 3:00pm – 4:00pm, in-person or via Zoom.

CLASS MEETING INFORMATION 

This course meets online during the Spring 2026 semester. This class is an asynchronous online course. This means that we will not meet in person for regular class sessions. Instead, all course material, lectures, and assignments will be posted on Brightspace – https://brightspace.cuny.edu/.

Open Brightspace and sign in with your CUNY Login. Your courses will appear in the My Courses section. Students in the course can all engage with the course content at different times and from different locations, but should submit assignments by the stated due dates.