This site is dedicated to Mr. Watkins' CAS 331 African History class. It will be a summary of the more important concepts studied in the class, and a resource for tests, presentations and assignments.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Quiz today on 'Life and Debt', the IMF, World Bank and Jamaica's economic distress
-DW
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Jamaica's life and debt
Watching the video Life and Debt allows us the opportunity to examine how economics can create an almost slave like dependency situations for developing countries.
The shackles of debt through the devaluing of currency, loan restrictions, and unequal trade balances created by the IMF places Jamaica in the center of a spiral of despair.
Jamaica isn't the only country caught in this negative relationship. Many of the poorer developing countries throughout the world are in similar circumstance.
The question asked was, 'Why are you here?' The answer is becoming more evident as we explore how the living conditions in many countries makes it nearly unlivable.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Why are you here? Life and Debt
With many of the Harvey students coming from 'developing countries' it is important to understand why you're here in Canada today? What were the 'Push and Pull' factors that forced your parents or grandparents to leave home to come to a new country?
The documentary 'Life and Debt' examines Jamaica's economic problems from the time of their independence. These factors may be the cause of many people leaving home to come to Canada for a better life. The documentary is an example of what many developing countries experience when dealing with the IMF and the World Bank.