ANTH 140g, NATIVE PEOPLES OF MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Dr. G. Alexander Moore
Lecture: 10603R
Spring 2009
MW 12:00-1:50 pm
THH 102
Office: GFS 125, hrs.: MW 2:00-3:00,
or by appointment: 740-0519
e-mail: almoore@usc.edu
OBJECTIVES & DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE
This course introduces the student to the nature and contributions of one
New World area of high civilization, Mesoamerica, while contrasting it to a
neighboring culture area that was never civilized, the Tropical Forest. Thus,
we will be looking at the nature of civilization and urbanism, as well as the
distinctive features of these two culture areas. We will also be examining
the nature of past cultures, as disclosed by archaeology---excavations in the
earth---and ethnohistory—the examination of the accounts of any kind of
written records. This is contrasted with the intense knowledge gained from
ethnographic field work, the records of someone who has been there, on the
scene.
We shall study Mesoamerica through several epochs, (pre-classic,
classic, and post-classic) before 1519, and Hispanic-dominated thereafter.
We next want to grasp the nature of the local indigenous cultures as they
have endured since the Spanish conquest. How do contemporary highland
Maya , and the Tarascans all compare as they continue to survive, shaping
their lives around peasant cultivations, town crafts, markets, rituals, and
armed revolt? In contrast the Kuna, a “civilized tribe,” have never been
conquered, and adjust to the modern world in very different ways.
These native peoples of the original culture areas are now citizens of
nation-states. In this course there are three nation-states that concern us
most: Mexico, Guatemala, and Panama. (The other nation-states of the
shared region: Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica are certain
to be mentioned in this course; research projects dealing with these
countries are welcome).
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
This course is designed to be both a survey and an undergraduate
seminar. That is, we shall attempt to combine a basic and intensive survey
of Mesoamerican civilization and its folk cultures with individual student
Anthropology 140g, Dr. G. Alexander Moore, Spring 2009, 2
research projects. Starting the week of April 6, discussion sections are
given over mainly to student oral research reports. There are two exams--one midterm and one take-home final---covering the readings and class
meetings. Research proposals are due in lecture on March 9. Final research
papers (10-12 pp., double spaced) are due at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 8.
RESEARCH PROPOSALS:
consist of a statement of the research topic, a tentative outline, and a
proposed research bibliography. They may be re-written for a better grade
one time, no more.
CLASS REPORTS:
Given from notes, class reports should not be read. At that time
students may circulate first drafts of their paper to the teaching assistant and
other students for comments before writing a final draft. Students are
encouraged to pick a topic early, but, within reason, they may change a
topic early too.
RESOURCES:
Barbara Robinson, the Latin American Studies Librarian at the
Boekmann Center, has prepared “Research Helps and Tips,” posted under
Assigments on our site on the Blackboard. This is a particularly useful guide
to using online resources. Doheny Library has a respectable collection of
Mesoamerican materials, including numerous site reports and the many
volumes of the Handbook of Middle American Indians. The Library’s
Boeckmann Center is another major research resource.
POTENTIAL STUDENT RESEARCH PROJECTS:
Ideally students will either make use of their own intellectual
background and strengths (e.g. an architecture student looks at
Mesoamerican architecture), or they indulge some personal curiosity (e.g.
just who and what were my particular ancestors, if from Mexico?). Students
may examine contemporary indigenous groups time did not permit us to
cover (e.g., the Otomí of Central Mexico, direct competitors of the Aztecs)
or they may take more topical approaches (e.g. the interaction of
Catholicism with indigenous religion and the consequent local syncretisms
called Christo-Paganism). The important thing is to pick a topic you can
commit to and discuss it with the instructor early on.
ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION:
Anthropology 140g, Dr. G. Alexander Moore, Spring 2009, 3
We shall take attendance in both lecture and sections. Feel free to ask
questions or make comments during the lectures. Discussion sections are
just that: devoted to discussion. Attendance counts; commenting on the
texts in class counts more; informed intelligent commentary counts better
yet.
GRADING:
Class reports = 5%; research proposals = 5%; research paper = 25%;
midterm examination = 25%; final exam = 30%; attendance and
participation = 10%.
THE BLACKBOARD:
This course has a site on the Blackboard, USC’s online learning portal:
https://blackboard.usc.edu/. It is important to make use of this resource. The
syllabus is posted under Course information. One reading assignment will
be posted under Course documents. In addition, from time to time the
professor will post notes and comments on the lectures under Course
documents. You may turn in any and all assignments on the Digital Drop
Box. Moreover, we will post your grades on the Gradebook, where you can
read your scores confidentially, and learn exactly how you are doing.
READINGS
Wolf, Eric, SONS OF THE SHAKING EARTH. Chicago. A classic, famous,
well-written work by an anthropologist.
Tice, Karen, KUNA CRAFTS, GENDER, AND THE GLOBAL
ECONOMY, an ethnographic study of a heretofore highly successful
indigenous group, representing the Tropical Forest culture area.
Coe, Michael, THE MAYA. 7th ed., Thames & Hudson. A beautifully
illustrated and careful review of archaeological knowledge about a major
civilization, written by a leading life-long expert.
Tedlock, Dennis, POPOL VUH, rev. ed. Touchstone. A justly
acclaimed translation of a surviving Maya book of mythology and history.
Smith, Michael, AZTEC CITY-STATE CAPITALS
, University
Presses of Florida, latest findings about the post-classic culture of
the Valley of Mexico.
Moore, Alexander, LIFE CYCLES IN ALOTENANGO, excerpts:
selected chapters will be posted online on the Blackboard. Your instructor’s
own ethnography in highland Guatemala.
Friedrich, Paul, THE PRINCES OF NARANJA, (excerpts) Course
Reader, A look at the results of the Mexican revolution in the Tarascan area.
Anthropology 140g, Dr. G. Alexander Moore, Spring 2009, 4
COURSE TOPICS, READINGS, & CALENDAR, SPRING 2009:
Please note that this calendar is only a blueprint, and like all such constructs
that map the future, it shall never coincide 100% with the reality that we
shall bring into being.
UNIT ONE: Ancient cultures and their archaeology.
The concept of culture area---Mesoamerica and its neighbors; central
Mexico, the Gulf Coast, Maya lowlands---hearths of civilization; contacts,
competition, diverse cultures within a common civilization.
Readings: Wolf, Sons of the Shaking Earth, Chapters I, II, III, IV. Herndon
& Joyce, The Maya, 7th ed., Chapters to be assigned.
M, Jan. 12
W, Jan. 14
M, Jan. 19 MLK, Jr. DAY, UNIVERSITY HOLIDAY
W, Jan. 21
M, Jan. 26
W, Jan. 28
UNIT TWO: Comparative interlude: the Tropical Forest culture area and
one ethnographic study. Readings: Tice, Kuna Crafts, Gender, And The
Global Economy, Chs. 1-7, 10-11.
M, Feb. 2
W, Feb. 4
M, Feb. 9: talk by Susan Gardner, and Barbara Robinson on library research
resources (approximate date).
W, Feb. 11
UNIT THREE: One major high civilization, the Maya. A classic surviving
text from their literature. Reading, Popul Vuh, Introduction, Parts One, Two,
Three & Four; Coe, The Maya, 7th ed. Chapters TBA.
M, Feb. 16 PRESIDENTS DAY, UNIVERSITY HOLIDAY
W, Feb. 18
M, Feb. 23:
W, Feb. 25
M, Mar. 2
Anthropology 140g, Dr. G. Alexander Moore, Spring 2009, 5
W, Mar. 4: MIDTERM
UNIT FOUR, Attempts at empire, the post-classic. Readings, Wolf, Sons of
the Shaking Earth, Chapters VI, VII. Smith, Aztec City States, Chapters
TBA.
M, Mar. 9: RESEARCH PROPOSALS DUE!
W, Mar. 11
(Mar. 16-21, SPRING RECESS, Enjoy and READ!)
UNIT FIVE, Native peoples engulfed in European culture, polity, and
economy. Readings, Wolf, Sons of the Shaking Earth, Chapters VIII-X.
M, Mar. 23
W, Mar. 25
M, Mar. 30
W, Apr. 1
UNIT SIX, The Indian and the mestizo, Readings, Moore, Life Cycles in
Alotenango (excerpts posted online on the Blackboard).
M, Apr. 6
(This week in discussion sections:
Oral class reports start.)
W, Apr. 9
M, Apr. 13
W, Apr. 15
UNIT SEVEN, Revolution and micro-politics. Reading, Friedrich, Princes
of Naranja.; Wolf, Sons of the Shaking Earth, Chapter XI,,
M, Apr. 20
W, Apr. 22
M, Apr. 27
W, Apr. 29: Last Lecture.
May. 2-5, Study Days.
Friday, May 8, 4:00 p.m.: RESEARCH PAPERS DUE in the Digital
Drop Box on the Blackboard.
Anthropology 140g, Dr. G. Alexander Moore, Spring 2009, 6
Tuesday, May 12, 2:00 p.m.: TAKE-HOME FINAL DUE! GFS 120, or
in the Digital Drop Box on the Blackboard.