West Indies Cricket: Our Story
Discover the story of the most popular sport in the West Indies and how it has impacted Caribbean culture.
Duration
4 weeksWeekly study
4 hours
West Indies Cricket: Our Story
Other courses you might like
This course isn't running right now. We can email you when it starts again, or check out these other courses you might like.
Browse more in History and Politics & Society
Explore WI cricket and its rise from colonial import to national pastime
On this four-week course, you’ll learn how cricket captured the imagination of the West Indian people and why it remains integral to Caribbean culture today.
Investigate how the colonisation of the West Indies led to a nation’s passion for cricket
You’ll discover how cricket was introduced to the islands through the colonisation of the West Indies. You’ll analyse what cricket looked like prior to 1928 and be able to explain how the sport has evolved into the modern game fans recognise today.
Discover WI cricket legends and learn how they helped shape a national identity
You will encounter some of the greatest cricketers of all time, like George Headley, and follow his journey to become the first international WI cricket star.
Using firsthand accounts, you’ll evaluate how the superstar status of cricketers from this era contributed to regional integration and nationalism. You’ll discover how WI cricketers made their mark on the world stage and helped place the team in a global context. With this knowledge, you will be able to track trends in WI cricket performance in relation to key historical moments.
Examine the rise in popularity of women’s cricket and cricket’s legacy in Caribbean culture
Almost 50 years after their male counterparts played their first test match, the West Indies Women’s Cricket team took centre stage.
The Windies have since made a name for themselves internationally. You’ll examine how the team emerged and explore their impressive track record over the years.
Once you’ve completed this course, you’ll understand how cricket became the most popular sport in the West Indies. You’ll be able to articulate the relationship between cricket and the culture, politics, and economy of the islands and appreciate the rich legacy of Caribbean cricket.
Syllabus
Week 1
Colonization, Cane and Cricket
Welcome to the Course
Welcome to West Indies Cricket: Our Story
West Indies Mosaic
Locate the islands of the former British colony, their distance from each other and the pathway from Europe to the West Indies.
Discussion and Engagement
Check up on existing information that participants had or new information they may have learned.
Quiz: Week 1
This five-item multiple choice quiz tests recall and comprehension of information from week 1.
Week 2
Rise of WI Cricket Superstars, Regionalism and Nationalism
Rise of WI Superstars
This lesson describes the plays of Headley and other cricket greats; Everton Weeks, Frank Worrell and Clyde Walcott who revolutionized the game and built confidence in the team's ability to compete in international tours and win.
WI cricket during the 1950s
This section introduces cricket stalwarts who contributed to cricket being a region-defining sport in the West Indies post 1950's.
Reflection and Engagement
Respond to the prompt below. How has cricket contributed to regional integration and nationalism?
Looking Back, Looking Ahead
This section provides a Summary of Week 2 and outlines what to expect in week 3.
Quiz 2: Week 2
This is a Cloze quiz on Week 2 content.
Week 3
Trends in WI Cricket: Calypso Cricketers
West Indies Cricket Changes Hands
This mini-lesson describes the politics of the Caribbean in the 1970s and its impact on cricket planning and plays.
Impact of politics on cricket in the Caribbean
Respond to a prompt question on mini-lesson 1:
Debate: West Indies cricket style made them better suited for One Day Internationals.
Present arguments to support and/or refute this statement. Respond to at least one participant whose views are like or different from yours.
Commercialization of West Indies Cricket
Shift from playing in all white to donning coloured cricket gears goes beyond aesthetics. It signals a new trend in WI cricket-monetizing the game.
Post 1995 Decline
The events and factors leading to a decline in WI cricket performance after 1995.
Select a Metaphor
What object or phrase comes to mind when you read about West Indies' cricket journey from 1950-1995?
Quiz 3: Week 3
This is a short quiz that tests Week 3 content
Week 4
Women's Cricket, Culture and the Caribbean
Looking Back: Looking Ahead
Recap of the course and what to expect in Final week.
West Indies Women Cricket Facts
If you have been following West Indies cricket, you may know at least one fact about the team's composition, it's performance in international competition or other interesting information.
Preserving West Indies' Cricket legacy
This section is a visual essay of the monuments, art, literature and other artifacts to immortalize West Indies cricket.
West Indies Cricket Artforms
This learning activity is intended to stimulate discussion on immortalizing cricket greats and promoting the creative works that cricket generates.
Impact of Cricket on Caribbean Culture
This article highlights how cricket connects to cultural expressions such as music and literature in the Caribbean.
Connection: How Similar or Different is your Cricket Culture to that of the West Indies
This activity prompts you to reflect on your country's or region's cricket culture and see how it is similar to and different from the cricket culture of the West Indies.
Quiz 4: Week 4
Take a five item multiple choice quiz on Week's 4 Content.
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Explain trends in WI cricket by referencing key occurences
- Describe the events that led to George Headley becoming the first regional and international WI Cricket superstar
- Analyze the factors that led to women’s participation and contribution to WI cricket
- Articulate the relationship between West Indies cricket and culture
- Explain the factors that led to East Indian presence and contribution to WI test cricket
- Describe the factors that led to West Indies cricket team gaining test status in 1928
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone with an interest in cricket and its worldwide history.
Whether you’re a sports journalist, a cricket player, or a cricket enthusiast, this course is ideal if you want to appreciate cricket in a wider cultural context.
What software or tools do you need?
No specific tools or software is required.
Who will you learn with?
Akshai Mansingh is the Dean of the Faculty of Sport at the University of the West Indies. He has been a cricket analyst for over twenty five years.
Who developed the course?
The University of the West Indies
The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is the Caribbean’s premier, higher education institution. One of only two regional universities in the world, it comprises five campuses across the English-speaking Caribbean and 10 global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. The UWI stands among the top 1.5% of universities globally, following Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2022.
Established
1948Location
The West Indies
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn
Learner reviews
Learner reviews cannot be loaded due to your cookie settings. Please and refresh the page to view this content.