Description:

This course is a survey of Mesoamerican cultural beliefs, traditions, and practices from the prehistoric era to the present day. Through the archaeological, historical, and ethnographic record we will adopt an anthropological perspective on the global, national, regional, and local forces on everyday life in Mesoamerica. 3 hrs.lecture/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Identify the geographic, cultural, and political boundaries of Mesoamerica.
2. Describe the pre-Columbian culture of Mesoamerica from an anthropological perspective.
3. Assess the transformation of Mesoamerican culture following contact and conquest by Spain.
4. Trace the significant cultural and historical processes from the Colonial period through the Modern era.
5. Explain the variety and continuity of cultural traditions in the lives of Mesoamericans throughout time.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Introduction to Mesoamerica
   A. Anthropological Perspective
      1. Define the goals of Anthropology in relationship to the goals of
History, Economics, and other Social Sciences.
      2. Outline the history of anthropological scholarship in
Mesoamerica.
      3. Consider the central research questions applied to Mesoamerica. 
B. The Physical Environment
      1. List the geographic zones of Mesoamerica.
      2. Identify the characteristics of the natural areas of
Mesoamerica.
      3. Place the boundaries of modern nations, major cities, and key
topographic features of Mesoamerica on a map. 

II. Pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica
   A. Origins and Development of Mesoamerican Civilization
      1. Discuss the origins of the first inhabitants of Mesoamerica. 
      2. Describe the subsistence practices and cultural organization of
the Paleo-Indian and Archaic hunter-gatherers. 
      3. List the cultural characteristics of Mesoamerican societies from
the Formative period through the Classic period. 
      4. Be conversant with key Formative period archaeological sites and
their significance.
      5. Review the various theories on the rise of complex societies in
Mesoamerica. 
      6. Be conversant with key Classic period archaeological sites and
their significance. 
      7. Assess theories accounting for the 9th and 10th century southern
Maya collapse.
      8. Discuss the rise of militarism and increased economic interaction
during the Epiclassic and Early Postclassic periods. 
   B. Late Postclassic Mesoamerica
      1. Be conversant with key Postclassic period archaeological sites
and their significance. 
      2. Compare and contrast the economy, politics, and religion of the
Aztec, Mixtec, and Maya during the Late Postclassic Period.
      3. Discuss the role of native historical documents in constructing
interpretations of Postclassic societies. 
   C. Mesoamerican World at Spanish Contact
      1. Adopt an insider’s perspective of the Mesoamerican world on the
eve of Spanish contact using archaeological and ethnohistoric evidence.
      2. Characterize the degree of Mesoamerican sociocultural complexity
in terms of political organizations, ethnic groups, and regional
networks.
      3.Apply a world-systems model to Mesoamerica; discuss the role and
significance of each region within the world system. 

III. Colonial Mesoamerica
   A. The Spanish Conquest of Mesoamerica
      1. Describe the historical context of Spanish Imperialism
      2. Explain the origin and significance of militarism and commerce in
Spain preceding the age of exploration. 
      3. Identify the factors contributing to Spain’s early colonial
expansion. 
      4. Outline the key arguments and identify the central figures in the
debate over Indian rights.
      5. Compare and contrast the strategies and outcomes of the Spanish
campaign of conquest against the Aztec, Tarascans, and Maya.
   B. The Colonial Period in Mesoamerica
      1. Discuss the role of the nobility, conquistadors, and clergy in
the development of Mesoamerican colonies.
      2. Identify the political units within the colonial regime and how
they changed throughout the Colonial period.
      3. List the key civic-religious institutions of colonial Mesoamerica
and discuss the impact of these institutions on native communities. 
      4. Be conversant with the broader political and social issues
involved in the evangelization of colonial Mesoamerica.
      5. Explain how castas were formed and list the rights and status of
each social category. 
      6. Describe the corporate community model and relate this model to
the variety of life in colonial Mesoamerica.
      7. Discuss the native rebellions as a response to Spanish colonial
rule. 
   C. Indigenous Literature from Colonial Mesoamerica
      1. Review the existing forms and subject matter of pre-Columbian
literature.
      2. Distinguish the similarities and differences between
pre-Columbian and Colonial codices. 
      3. Examine the relationship between colonial texts and oral
literature. 
      4. Assess the influence of native and mestizo historians on colonial
writing. 
      5. Compare and contrast Indo-Christian literature with civil or
notarial literature. 
   D. Mesoamericans in the Neocolonial Era
      1. Identify key issues in the social history of nineteenth century
Mesoamerica. 
      2. Examine the relationship between Mesoamericans and independence
movements in Mexico and Central America.
      3. Assess the impact of conservative and liberal rule on the social
life and culture of Mesoamericans.
      4. Detail the cultural, political, and economic characteristics of
the nineteenth century and early twentieth-century nativist movements. 
      5. Review the role of U.S. interaction in Mesoamerica during the
Neocolonial era. 

IV. Modern Mesoamerica
   A. Native Mesoamericans in the Modern Era
      1. Discuss the relationship among development, revolution, and
modernization. 
      2. Identify the key contributions of native Mesoamericans in the
Mexican and Central American revolutions. 
      3. Explain the significance of idigenismo in the development of
modern Mexico and Central America. 
      4. Distinguish the similarities and differences of among local
ethnicity, hegemonic nationalism, and multiculturalism in Mesoamerica. 
   B. Transnationalism and the Political Economy of Mesoamerica
      1. Define the key concepts related transnationalism and the
political economy.
      2. Discuss the practice of milpa farming as both a subsistence
strategy and a cultural tradition. 
      3. Identify the social and economic impact of colonialism in
Mesoamerica. 
      4. Relate Mesoamerican labor production strategies to the global
economy:
         a. wage labor
         b. petty commodity production
         c. cottage industries
         d. maquiladora industries
      5. Describe how various market forms have impacted the distribution
and consumption of goods and services in Mesoamerica. 
      6. Assess the impact of transnational economic conditions on the
lives of Mesoamericans. 

V. Understanding Mesoamerican Cultural Traditions
   A. Language and Languages of Mesoamerica
      1. Review the diversity, distribution, and structure of Mesoamerican
languages.
      2. Explain how language variation and change arise. 
      3. Assess the influence of language change across time in
Mesoamerica. 
      4. Discuss the significance of writing in ancient Mesoamerica. 
      5. Be conversant with the central issues regarding language,
history, and culture in Mesoamerica. 
   B. Women and Gender in Mesoamerica
      1. Define the key concepts in gender studies. 
      2. Trace the continuity and transformation of gender roles and
gender relations through time:
         a. Pre-Columbian period
         b. Colonial period
         c. Post-Colonial period
      3. Discuss the challenges, opportunities, and themes of contemporary
gender relations in Mesoamerica:
         a. Machismo
         b. Domestic economy
         c.Transnational economy
         d. Activism and grassroots movements
   C. The Indian Voice in Recent Mesoamerican Art
      1. Characterize the representation of Indian voices in recent
Mesoamerican art and literature.
      2. Identify the native voice or native themes in the work of
twentieth century Mesoamerican artists. 
      3. Assess the state of traditional Indian verbal arts in
contemporary society.
      4. Discuss the integration of art to contemporary Mesoamerican
cultural traditions.
   D. Mesoamerican Religious Traditions
      1. Describe the key concepts and practices of religion in ancestral
Mesoamerica. 
      2. Examine the influence of Catholicism on Mesoamerican spirituality
and society. 
      3. Identify the major religious groups in contemporary Mesoamerica
and consider how religion relates to geography, class, ethnicity, gender,
and other factors. 
      4. Distinguish the common religious concepts and practices shared by
native Mesoamericans. 

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

A minimum of two examinations covering course content are required.
Examinations of course content will make up at least 60% of the final
grade. Examinations may be written or oral. At the instructor’s
discretion, students may be required to complete in-class assignments,
quizzes, oral presentations, experiential learning, or an in-depth
research project. Additional material will not count for more than 40% of
the final grade. 

Caveats:

1. Taken in conjunction with field school requires professor approval.

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.