In this elective course, students explore the diverse histories, cultures, and forms of thinking of Caribbean societies. We will begin with a study of the geographical and sociocultural aspects of the Caribbean and an overview of its history. We will examine contact between European colonial powers and indigenous peoples, Africans, and Asians within the contexts of colonialism and slavery. We will then strive to understand the modern Caribbean through different topics, such as globalization and inequality; migration and diaspora; the legacies of slavery and colonialism; race and racism; and tourism. We also will explore various artistic, intellectual, and religious traditions, including the music styles of calypso, kadans, soca, reggae, and salsa, as well as literature, film, social movements, and contemporary politics.

This advanced course takes a thematic approach to analyze important points in world history throughout Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. The fall term emphasizes features of early civilizations. The winter term explores the clashing of civilizations. The spring term explores the scrambling of civilizations in a globalized world. Students evaluate what features of civilization have been most influential in shaping modern governments, cultures, economies, and societies around the world. The course focuses on developing higher-level thinking, reading and writing skills as the main assessments are research papers, presentations, and discussions.

For many Americans, the main interaction with the criminal justice system is through television; Cops, Law & Order, The Wire, and Orange is the New Black are just a few of the dozens of shows that dramatize the criminal justice system.  However, for too many people, particularly those who are poor, immigrants, or BIPOC, the criminal justice system plays an outsize role in their lives in ways that are often overlooked by the dramas we watch on our small screens. The purpose of this course is to introduce Pomfret students to the five main elements of the criminal justice system: the law, the police, the courthouse, incarceration, and the process of reentry into society.  Beyond simply learning about the system, this course will be grounded in experiential, hands-on learning.  We will meet with Pomfret alums and local officials involved in the legal system; we will complete Case Studies about wrongly convicted citizens; we will volunteer our time and energy to work with local non-profits; we will take a variety of field trips, both to local courthouses, and to Montgomery, AL to visit the The National Memorial for Peace and Justice and the Legacy Museum during Project: Pomfret.  The end goal of this course is to empower each student to find his/her own voice to push for real-wold reforms to help create a more fair, equitable system for all.

Constitutional law is the interpretation and application of the Constitution by the United States Supreme Court. This body of law is concerned largely with defining the extent and limits of governmental power designated by this living document and the rights of individuals and groups. After defining and interpreting the language and background of the Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution, this course will survey major Supreme Court decisions using a case study model, exploring how each historically contributed to amendments, and how each impacts the lives of everyday Americans. 

Students in Advanced Anthropology explore human diversity by focusing on cultural similarities and differences. This course explores the impact culture has on our lives and how anthropology is relevant in today’s world. Through engaging readings, films, projects, cooking, games and hands-on activities, students will explore how culture shapes who we are. Topics include differences in cultural core values, race, food, sports, attractiveness, gender, and sexuality. We will study subcultures as diverse as illegal immigrants, drug dealers, athletes, gang members, college culture and New England prep school students. We compare cultures ranging from Vietnam and India to Afghanistan and Africa’s Kalahari desert. The instructor’s own book, Perfectly Prep, will provide both examples of the themes of the course as well as a model for the students’ own primary research.