Author: Rhea Xavier

Throughout the sub-heading, Science and Religion, of the topic Resistance and Caribbean Reality; my team aims at including crowdsourcing, use knowledge and geographic mapping sites in our various subtopics. Some of the subtopics we will create exhibits about include Rastafarianism and Vaccines, Voodooism in the Caribbean, Development of the Healthcare System and the Segregation of Churches.

The group intends on interviewing influential people, or people impressively knowledgeable in their respective fields which include individuals like the head of the Roman Catholic Church in our country and matured, very experienced public sector past or present employees. Using these interviews, the local Repository, National Archives and reputable online sources like the Digital Library of the Caribbean etc., we aim at obtaining sufficient information to make our exhibits a reputable and well-executed plan.

With all great ideas come great challenges and some of the difficulties faced by the unit comprise of:

• Anonymity- Due to various reasons, some individuals who are knowledgeable about their respective disciplines demand not to be credited for their input in this project. This becomes an issue in this project when too many people request to remain anonymous in spite of their valuable information, which could ultimately lead to the questioning of the credibility of our various subtopics.
• Planning of Interviews- Due to the facts that we intend on interviewing influential, busy personnel and our busy student schedules, it becomes a tedious task to appropriately plan a meeting which remains in sync with the schedules of both parties. Since this will allow the interviewee and the interviewer to properly sit down and have an interview in which the person being interviewed will remember most of the vital information
• Dominica-wise Information- Since our topic centralizes on our island nation of Dominica and then expands to the wider Caribbean. It sometimes becomes extremely difficult to obtain the necessary information for our various sub-topics whether it may be due to the now outdated and vague record keeping methods, lack of any official records or simply the conservative nature of the Dominican society. As a result, conversations and other very impactful methods of documentation about these have a high chance of simply getting ‘lost in history’ and it makes it difficult for future researchers like my group to have a closer idea of what life was like in this country in that era.

However, although we face these several challenges, it is our greatest intention to figuratively take the bull by its horns and face the problem head on by working with what we have and making the best of what may sometimes seem like a sticky situation since you can’t have a rainbow without a little rain.

Question 1- Understanding Summary and Audience Description

A summary understanding of the topic you have chosen (should have been approved by instructor) and a brief description of the audience to which you will ideally be targeting your completed project. Your summary should include some rationale for choosing this topic, including what you already know about the topic, what you don’t know or want to find out, or what current knowledge about the topic you want corrected, revised or updated.  (10 points)

 

GAEL

The term ‘science’ may be defined as the study of the natural world. In Dominica, science takes form in agriculture, the environment and medicine. I chose the projects’ ‘science’ sector because of my passion for biology and to investigate Dominica’s scientific journey along with its setbacks. Science is relevant to ‘Resistance and Caribbean Reality as there have been many instances of resistance that have influenced and affected the country in that aspect. The target audience for this project includes students, medical professionals, agriculturalists and environmentalists. Previous knowledge that I hold includes Dr. John Imray’s initiation of the first public hospital, agriculture’s dwindling status as a main economic activity and the ongoing development of geothermal energy. With my currently limited knowledge of the history of scientific development, I intend to find out the history of Dominica’s health care system as well as clarify how resistance played part.

 

RHEA

From creationism to current affairs, it is widely believed that religion and science are incompatible. Science can be defined as the state of knowing or a department of systematized knowledge as an object of study and religion as a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices. Science investigates the natural world through measurements and obtaining facts about tangible objects. Religion deals with the spiritual or supernatural beliefs and largely deals with faith. Throughout this project I intend on identifying how resistance affected this contradiction since according to Francis Collins. “One of the greatest tragedies of our time is this impression that has been created that science and religion have to be at war.”

 

ONICKA

Science brings about predictions and reasons to why things happen.  In Dominica, the science aspect is underdeveloped in my opinion.  Dominica forms its basis around religion and science sometimes contradicts religion.  Besides biology being one of my majors, I choose science as my topic for this project because I want to explore more of this topic while fueling my thirst to enhance my knowledge and bring its presence more into our society.  Doing this project made me realize how little I know of science pertaining to Dominica and a quick google search on ‘Science in Dominica’ will prove how limited the information is.  Science is Dominica is usually contributed to preserving its flora and fauna, improving health care in Dominica and creation of medication with use of the country’s large variety of plants and herbs which includes natural oils. The target audience is pharmacist, agriculturist, students and anyone who has an interest in this field.  I would love to know more of the history of diseases in Dominica and the statistical aspect.  I would like to know how resistance affected the spread and the healthcare of the people.

 

JODINE

There is a science to everything including the science of religion. The Cambridge Dictionary defines science as “the careful study of the structure and behavior of the physical world, especially by watching, measuring, and doing experiments, and the development of theories to describe the results of these activities.” Throughout this project, we aim to discover the science in everything and the religious beliefs also. As we place Dominica and the Caribbean on the map as being involved in every decision made by first world countries such as the U.S. We will discover how the subtopics; science and religion are linked. Many scholars, scientists and even high school students may find this segment rather enticing as we answer various questions.

 

Question 2 – Research Questions

Three to five research questions you have decided to centralize within your project with a description of how those research questions would impact our current understanding of the topic. (15 points)

 

GAEL

What was evolution of medicine like in Dominica?

This question requires a response that will define the starting point of Dominica’s health care system, challenges in its development and factors affecting its further improvement. This question will aid in the understanding of how resistance impacted Dominica’s healthcare system.

 

Is there a bias/stereotype towards students doing sciences?

The gender stereotype that only boys should be involved in prominent medical jobs has been faced with a lot of resistance. How do these stereotypes affect the youth of Dominica? This question will facilitate the understanding of how students in Dominica and abroad are resisting the stereotypes related with studying science subjects.

 

Did agricultural growth meet any resistance and challenges?

Agriculture is one of the economic activities in Dominica. In the past, this science was the main activity which brought in a lot revenue to the country and produced many jobs. How did resistance lead to the decline in agricultural activity such as banana production in Dominica? This question will highlight how the resistance affect the agriculture in Dominica.

 

Are any environment-related laws enforced in Dominica?

More often than not, Dominican citizens do not adhere to rules pertaining to environmental protection. Why are environmental laws being resisted? What effect could this have on Dominica in the future? This question will provide insight as to why Dominicans resist environmental protection laws and the effects that these actions have on the environment.

 

What positive environmental changes have been made in Dominica?

The implementation of geothermal energy is underway for Dominica. This question will aid in understanding how the resistance surrounding oil has effects on nations worldwide and in Dominica as well as shed light on the consequences of implementing geothermal energy and the resistance to this alternative form of energy is justified.

 

RHEA

How did the evolution of science in Dominica impact the society?

As science improved how did the Dominican populace respond new medical, agricultural or environmental breakthroughs including immunizations, waste systems and improvement in crop development? Was science frowned upon? Was it taught in schools?

 

Has religion created a prejudice against those involved in scientific endeavors in the Caribbean?

Throughout the evolution of the Caribbean, religion has been impactful in the affairs of the general population. However did this create a bias against science or anyone working within its various disciplines? How did this occur? What was the result of such?

 

How did the church respond to the changes brought about by the improvement in science in the Caribbean?

Since Christianity is the dominant religion in the Caribbean. How did the church react to these new breakthroughs in science? How did this impact the attitudes of religious members?

 

Has the church’s belief of people involved in science evolved?

Was science considered a taboo to religious leaders? Have the church’s attitude change? Did it become more positive?

ONICKA

What was the disease in Dominica which was most common?

Dominica’s health care is slowly improving resulting in less deaths caused because of health care.  Finding out if this disease is still the most common or if it is less of a threat is a great contribution to this topic.

 

Are there any new arising diseases?

This question searches for any new diseases which may be affecting the people of Dominica in large numbers.

 

Was there resistance or challenges from the people in lowering these diseases?

There could have been some challenges to getting the diseases under control.  These challenges could fall under social, economic or even political reasons.

 

Did the rest of the Caribbean have challenges with these same diseases?

Usually when one Caribbean has a disease other islands may have this disease also, this question investigates the cause of this.

 

Are men more likely to die earlier than women because of diseases?

As we know women are more likely to go to the doctor when they are ill.  This could be a matter of pride or ignorance.  Is the jobs which men do also tougher or would be more disease related?  There are disease more common in women so should that mean women are more-likely to die first.

 

JODINE

Why were some diseases specific to Dominica?

Every country has disease specific to them, however a lot of research goes into investigated what they are. This can be especially difficult in Dominica and the Caribbean due to limited resources. What were the diseases? How did they come about?  

 

Were Dominican people involved in the development of these medicines?

In Dominica there are a number of doctors who would be interested in the medicinal research, and isn’t it essential to include persons that have experience with a disease? Did the Caribbean scientists and doctors make themselves available to partake in such research? Were they even invited to participate? Was there resistance from those who conducted the research to invite them?

 

Were there any religious organizations or churches that rejected diseases or scientific discoveries? If so, why?

Whenever a religious party rejects a proposal, it is because it in opposition to their religious beliefs. In Christianity, they would disagree because the proposal is viewed as a “sin”. Did they reject the disease because they believed it was caused by “witchcraft” or an evil being? Why would such organizations reject scientific research??

 

Has the church financed scientific research?

The church is known for helping those in need especially the sick, but what about the research to create medicine to help the sick. Financial support is essential for every research especially scientific ones. As we do more research, this question too shall be answered. Why would the church finance scientific research? How would the church benefit from this?

 

Does a scientist’s religion affect his research?

It doesn’t matter who if the person is a scientist or not their religion does have an impact on their life. However, in terms of a scientist how will this affect his/her research? Will they be biased?