UCCI’s Associate Degree in Cultural Studies

The first and only time I met Stuart Hall, the prominent cultural scholar among other accolades, was when I was a student at UWI, Mona. He came to deliver a lecture on culture to close the festschrift held in his honour. Two things he said stood out to me — and I remember them clearly to this day: that cultures change and adapt in order to survive, a culture that is not evolving, is a culture that is dying and that issues of culture are, at their heart, issues of the identity of people.

Culture and identity are deeply interconnected, shaping how individuals and communities define themselves within the broader social and historical landscape. Culture encompasses shared customs, traditions, languages, values, and artistic expressions that provide a sense of belonging and continuity. Leonard Dilbert, leading Caymanian poet and intellectual, in a publication of Foundations by the Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF), defined culture in three ways.

First, he described it as the quality that emanates from certain forms of artistic activity — music, song, painting, sculpture, poetry, fiction, drama, dance — all considered cultural expressions. Second, he referred to culture as heritage: longstanding practices such as smoke-pot days, the caboose, and other traditional customs. Third, he described culture as the sum total, at any given point in time, of a people’s way of being in the world. This last view, Dilbert notes, allows for the probability of change and the fluidity of relationships, acknowledging that people are continually challenged to engage with the forces of life.

Martin Henry, former Jamaica Gleaner columnist, defined culture as the whole life of a people — how they view the cosmos and relate to divinity, how they associate with their environment and each other in community; the art and architecture they create, their dress and food, legal codes and political organization; the science and technology they use; how they approach sex, family, and child-rearing; and how they educate the next generation. It is the spiritual and the material, the social and the intellectual. The phrase “culture is a design for living”, attributed to anthropologist Clyde Kluckhohn, is especially apt, as it conveys the idea that culture provides a framework or blueprint guiding people’s behaviours, values, and social practices in everyday life.

Identity, on the other hand, is how individuals and groups perceive themselves in relation to their cultural environment. Where do they feel belonged. Interestingly, globalization in its many forms, has not dampened the need of people to sense the need for belonging that comes from shared values, language, traditions and their experiences. In the broader Caribbean context — given the dislocation caused by European conquest, colonization, and slavery, and the multitude of psychological, economic, and social distortions that resulted from colonial relationships — issues of identity are even more urgent and critical. In the Caymanian context, this relationship is particularly complex and dynamic, because of historical migrations, colonial legacies, and modern globalization.

As a small island nation with a rich history of seafaring, trade, and diverse cultural influences, Caymanian identity has been shaped by African, European, and Caribbean elements. The blending of these influences has created a unique Caymanian culture, evident in our dialects, music, storytelling traditions, cuisine, and social norms. However, with rapid modernization, economic shifts, and an increasing expatriate population, many Caymanians grapple with questions of cultural preservation and authenticity. The society has changed rapidly from the times preceding Worl War One when most Caymanians worked as subsistence farmers, in fishing, turtling and boat building. The challenge lies in maintaining a distinct Caymanian identity while embracing the diversity and global influences that accompany economic growth and tourism. In this respect, Christopher Williams’s book Defining the Caymanian Identity is an important work.

Issues of cultural identity are further heightened by generational differences and the impact of external media and education. Younger generations may feel disconnected from traditional Caymanian practices as they experience the torrents of Western entertainment and globalized lifestyles. If these are not passed on in some structured, deliberate way they will not be their inheritance. Caymanian culture must be embedded in the school curriculum. The younger generations have a hunger for preserving their heritage. The debate over cultural identity is also evident in policy discussions on national heritage, immigration, and education, as Caymanians seek to balance progress with the need to safeguard their traditions. This is a serious discussion that warrants study and reflection in a sustained way.

Ultimately, cultural identity in the Cayman Islands is not static—it evolves with time. Efforts to strengthen national pride, such as cultural festivals, heritage sites, and educational programs, play a vital role in reaffirming what it means to be Caymanian. By fostering a deeper understanding of our roots while engaging with the wider world, Caymanians can celebrate our unique identity in ways that honour the past while shaping the future.

I have just provided this context to highlight the significance of UCCI’s new Associate Degree in Cultural Studies — not just as an academic initiative, but as a bold step toward preserving, understanding, and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Cayman Islands and the wider Caribbean. This program will provide students with the knowledge, critical thinking skills, and appreciation necessary to explore the complexities of our identities, traditions, and histories and will complement the extraordinary work in the arts being led by Dr. Monika Lawrence and Mr. Glen Inanga as seen in the UCCI Dance Company, Choir, Pandemic, and so on.

As discussed above, In many ways, culture defines who we are. It tells the stories of our past, influences our present, and shapes our future. By equipping students with the tools to study, analyze, and contribute to cultural discourse, we are empowering them to become stewards of Caymanian and Caribbean heritage while engaging with global perspectives.

The launch of UCCI’s Associate Degree in Cultural Studies signals not just the introduction of a new program, but a broader commitment to the preservation, promotion, and evolution of Caymanian culture. This initiative represents an exciting step forward in realizing the vision set forth in the National Culture & Heritage Policy (2017–2026) — a vision that calls for education, innovation, and inclusivity in shaping the future of our cultural identity.

The National Cultural Policy reminds us that culture is both a foundation and a force — it roots us in our past while propelling us toward new possibilities. Through this degree, the University College is equipping students with the tools to study, analyze, and contribute to cultural discourse, empowering them to become stewards of Caymanian and Caribbean heritage while engaging with global perspectives.

As the Cayman Islands continue to evolve in an increasingly interconnected world, it is imperative that we nurture a deep understanding of our heritage while embracing the diversity and dynamism that shape modern Caymanian society. In this context, then, the Associate Degree in Cultural Studies is more than just an academic program — it is a call to action, a response to the policy’s directive to develop education, research, and human resources in culture and heritage. It will empower our students to become the next generation of cultural custodians, storytellers, and innovators, ensuring that the distinctiveness of Caymanian identity is both preserved and celebrated.

The Cayman National Cultural Policy highlights the need for greater collaboration between educational institutions, cultural organizations, and creative industries. At UCCI, we take this responsibility seriously. This program has been developed in partnership with local historians, artists, and cultural practitioners, ensuring that what we teach is not only theoretically sound but rooted in lived Caymanian experience. Its advisory panel consists of Caymanians, young and older, practitioners and policy makers. Through this and many other initiatives, UCCI is proud to be aligned with the National Cultural Policy.

The policy also emphasizes the importance of intergenerational dialogue—where knowledge is passed from elders to youth, keeping traditions alive in a meaningful way. Through this program, our students will engage with oral history, performing arts, crafts, and Caymanian literature, drawing directly from the wealth of expertise that exists within our community.

The National Cultural Policy also speaks to the economic potential of culture and heritage, recognizing that creative industries, cultural tourism, and artistic expression can be powerful drivers of economic growth and social cohesion. This degree will equip students not only to appreciate culture but to contribute to it — whether through research, creative production, or cultural entrepreneurship.