Dr Peter Hitchen’s New Book is Education and Multicultural Cohesion in the Caribbean: the Case of Belize, 1931 – 1981. T

Dr Peter Hitchen’s new book: ‘Education and multicultural cohesion in the Caribbean: the case of Belize, 1931 – 1981,' fills an important gap in the intelectual evaluation of Belizean State church relationships. His insightful and thought provoking new book is concerned with the British neglect of education in Belize and the emergence of increased tensions between church and state.

AUTHOR PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*Release Source: Peter Hitchen

Blackpool, Lancashire, England (PRWEB) December 3, 2005 -- Peter Hitchen has developed the specialized subject matter of his historical PhD theses for print on demand publication in conjunction with Lulu (www.lulu.com), the world’s fastest-growing provider of print-on-demand (PoD) books.

This insightful and thought provoking new book is concerned with the British neglect of education in Belize and the emergence of increased tensions between church, state, from the twin catalysts for social change of the 1931 hurricane, and economic depression until independence in 1981. This conflict has revealed a contradictory web of power structures and their influence, through the medium of schools, on multi-cultural development. The argument is that by 1981, despite a rhetoric-of-difference, a cohesive society was created rooted in the cultural values propagated through an often contradictory church, state education system, and that Jesuit supremacy of Belizean education came too late to unsettle or exploit grass root forces of cultural synthesis. Racial conflict in Belize was chiefly habitual rhetoric and superficial.

Peter came to Lulu because his doctoral theses was already deemed to be original and of publishable standard. However, the specialized content made it difficult to promote to understandably profit centered traditional publishers. Therefore, Peter wanted to be in control of the publishing process and found Lulu’s print-on-demand tools to be fast, easy and, most importantly, free. ‘Education and multicultural cohesion in the Caribbean: the case of Belize, 1931 – 1981 is available for purchase at www.freewebs.com/multiculturalism/ and at www.lulu.com.

“Independent publishing and print-on-demand is the wave of the future,” said Peter Hitchen. “The Lulu process allows me to get my work out there the way I want it. Although I do believe some kind of independent reviewing body or ‘kite mark’ equivalent is necessary to separate professional from amateur’.

Selected Reviews
“The dissertation demonstrates Peter’s ability to empathize with Belize’s peculiar range of ethno-cultural-religious traditions and seems set to make a substantial contribution to the history of education and to the social, cultural and political history of Belize and the British Caribbean generally”. Dr John Manley.

“His work on education and multi-cultural cohesion in Belize is original, thoughtful, extremely literate and rooted in a cross disciplinary base”. Prof. Dave Russell.

“This demonstrated a high level of research skills and some sophisticated historiographical discussion. He clearly has a genuine commitment to the Caribbean and Americas region”. Dr. Keith Vernon.

About Author
Peter Hitchen was born in Blackpool, Lancashire, England. He received his Doctorate in February 2003 and teaches North American history at the Department of Humanities, University of Central Lancashire. His main area of expertise is the Caribbean State–Church education system, but he also has research interests in comparative (United States, British and Caribbean) history of education particularly aspects of impecunious funding for African Caribbean/American schools. He has published or accepted for publication articles and books with History of Education, History of Education Researcher. He is currently adapting his collection of Caribbean oral testimonies for book length publication. He lives with his beloved wife, three of four grown-up children, one of two grandchildren and the incredible ‘Basher’ (German Shepherd) in Cleveleys on the Northwest coast of England.

Media Contact:   Peter Hitchen (UK) 01253826349

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