CAPE Caribbean Studies study plan

Map the full Domain 1 syllabus into a one-page concept map covering society, culture, identity, social stratification and social institutions

Define and correctly distinguish at least 15 core terms (creolisation, acculturation, cultural pluralism, social mobility, plantation society, plural society) in your own words

Trace the historical forces (indigenous settlement, enslavement, indenture, migration) that shaped Caribbean social structures and write a 200-word synthesis

Identify three named Caribbean theorists or models of society and state the central claim of each

Analyse how ethnicity, class, gender and race intersect in Caribbean social stratification using two named regional examples

Compare the family forms found across the Caribbean and explain the social and economic factors behind each

Evaluate the role of religion, education and popular culture in shaping Caribbean identity

Practise writing two 15-mark structured responses on culture and identity under timed conditions

Map Domain 2 into its main sub-issues: economic development, poverty and inequality, education, health, environment, tourism, agriculture, technology and regional integration

Explain at least six indicators used to measure development and critique the limitations of GDP as a sole measure for small island states

Describe the structure and purpose of CARICOM, the CSME and the OECS, including two achievements and two criticisms of each

Compile a table of eight named Caribbean development challenges with one policy response for each

Assess the environmental and economic trade-offs of tourism-dependent development using one Caribbean case

Explain how debt, structural adjustment and conditionalities constrain policy space in Caribbean states

Link two Domain 1 social issues (e.g. inequality, migration) to specific Domain 2 development outcomes

Draft full answers to two past-paper-style 25-mark questions spanning Domains 1 and 2

Distinguish the research approaches used in Caribbean Studies (quantitative, qualitative, mixed) and state when each is appropriate

Formulate one researchable problem statement with a clear rationale, aim and three research questions

Construct a defensible sampling plan, identifying population, sample type, size justification and ethical safeguards

Select data-collection instruments and justify each choice against your research questions

Design a data-collection instrument (questionnaire or interview schedule) of at least 12 items that avoids leading and double-barrelled questions

Explain how you would analyse both quantitative and qualitative data, naming specific techniques

Identify the ethical issues in Caribbean fieldwork, including consent, confidentiality and community sensitivity

Critique two weak research designs and state exactly what you would change

Sit one full timed mock paper under exam conditions and record marks per domain

Diagnose the three weakest syllabus areas from mock results and re-teach each using your own notes

Practise interpreting and using data stimulus material (tables, graphs, extracts) in structured answers

Refine exam technique for command words such as discuss, evaluate, assess and justify

Re-attempt the three weakest areas from your error log and confirm improvement

Condense all three domains into a two-page final revision sheet of models, indicators and research terms

Complete a second timed mock and compare performance against the week 7 baseline

Rehearse the research-proposal structure from memory to secure Domain 3 marks