ATH 214 Contemporary Mexican Culture

Lecture Hours: 4
Credits: 4

Provides a look at key situations and events throughout the prehistoric and historic periods which significantly shaped or contributed to Mexican culture and ethnic identity. Emphasis is placed on the modern historic era. Explores the development and characteristics of Mexican culture from the early hunter gatherers of the Archaic to the establishment of traditional Mesoamerican cultural traits and cosmologies. Major Mexican and Mayan archaeological sites of Mexico are initially discussed, as well as specific cultural innovations of the Classic, Epi- and Post-classic periods.

Prerequisite: Placement into WR 115 (or higher), or completion of WR 090 (or higher) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
Student Learning Outcomes:

Describe the basic characteristics and development of primary Mexican cultures over time.
Recognize the foundational social and political components of Prehistoric and current Mexican cultures after examination of selected civilizations from prehistory to the present.
Outline the progression of Mexican economic development from prehistory to the present.
Explain the causal factors in the emergence and dissolution of prehistoric Mexican cultures and construct a hypothesis about future cultural developments based on the historical record.

Statewide General Education Outcomes

Apply analytical skills to social phenomena in order to understand human behavior.
Apply knowledge and experience to foster personal growth and better appreciate the diverse social world in which we live.

Content Outline

Unit One
- Pre-Columbian Mexico
- The Spanish conquerors
- Mexican geography
- Climate, flora and fauna
Unit Two
- The Colony of New Spain
- Reform and reaction
- The move to independence
- The trials of nationhood: 1824-1855
Unit Three
- Liberals and conservatives search for something better
- The modernization of Mexico, 1876-1910
- The revolution: the military phase, 1910-1920
Unit Four
- The revolution: the constructive phase, 1920-1940
- The revolution shifts gears and runs out of gas: Mexico since 1940
- The Tlatelolco massacre