In this course we will study nine texts by writers from the English-speaking Caribbean, mostly from Trinidad and Jamaica. We will study how European colonization of the islands and the African slave trade have impacted their peoples and cultures. Through a variety of writings styles, such as travelogue, sports writing, political and historical essays, novels and short stories that cover carnival, religion, and coming of age, we will reflect on the human condition in the postcolony. We will enrich our reading experiences through film and music.