There is no attempt in this syllabus to promote one organising principle or interpretation of Caribbean History. While a thematic arrangement has been imposed on the course of Caribbean History, the content within each theme has been stated in such a way as to permit exploration of a variety of organising principles. Nevertheless, the selection of themes and their content has been informed by a desire to promote a distinctly Caribbean perspective. This perspective acknowledges the need for a respect of human life and a cultural heritage that values harmony and cherishes diversity as a strength.
The thematic approach has been adopted because it lends itself to detailed treatment of the type that allows the student to practise the various skills of the historian. However, by grouping themes and by requiring students to study an overview, a core of topics, the syllabus seeks to maintain chronology as an important aspect of the study of history.
The syllabus consists of a Core and nine Themes. The Themes are arranged in Sections A to C. Students are required to study the Core and to study in detail one Theme from each of the three Sections (A, B, C).
| Section | Theme | |
| A | 1. | The Indigenous Peoples and the Europeans |
| 2. | Caribbean Economy and Slavery | |
| 3. | Resistance and Revolt | |
| B | 4. | Metropolitan Movements towards Emancipation |
| 5. | Adjustments to Emancipation, 1838 – 1876 | |
| 6. | Caribbean Economy, 1875 – 1985 | |
| C | 7. | The United States in the Caribbean, 1776 – 1985 |
| 8. | Caribbean Political Development up to 1985 | |
| 9. | Caribbean Society 1900 – 1985 | |
