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INTRODUCTION TO MEXICAN CULTURE
Humanities 125 HONORS
Professor M. Carreon
Fall 2010
Office: A 201C
Office Hours: M-Th 7:30-8 a.m. or MW – 11:15-12:30. Appointments are not necessary.
Web site: http://faculty.riohondo.edu/mcarreon/
Email: mcarreon@riohondo.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides an interdisciplinary presentation of vital artistic, literary, architectural, musical, political,
religious and historical movements within Mexico spanning from pre-Cortesian to contemporary times. This course
is designed for students who wish to further their understanding of major Mexican cultural and historical
developments.
HONORS: Pre-requisite of ENGL 101 with C or better, READ 022, Minimum GPA of 3.0
OVERALL COURSE OBJECTIVES
1.
2.
3.
Become familiar with the historical, political and social background that forms the foundations for Mexican
Culture in general.
Be able to identify the major historical, literary, social and political figures that have played a role in the
development of Mexican Culture.
Develop a better understanding and an increased awareness of what is Mexican Culture.
COURSE MATERIALS AND TEXTS
“Introduction to Mexican Culture” by Martha Carreon, 2010 Edition
Recommended: “The Course of Mexican History” by Michael Meyer, latest edition
Other references, both text and video, assigned throughout the course.
Purchase 3-4 BLUE PAR SCANTRONS (essay sheet attached) to be used throughout the semester.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Throughout the semester, your performance on multiple student learning outcomes will be evaluated. In particular
the outcomes which will be assessed this semester include the following:
 Students will recognize and identify the artistic expressions produced by 10 indigenous groups in Mesoamerica.
To be assessed by performance on a slide identification exam

Students will be able to explain at least 1-2 major historical events in Mexican history determining causes,
results and major historical figures involved.
To be assessed by oral class presentations.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance is mandatory and will be taken daily. Instructor has the option of dropping students after their third
unexcused absence. At the end of the course, only official withdrawals will be honored. Please turn off cell phones.
Tardiness disrupts the entire class; please make it a point to arrive on time. Should you come after roll is taken, you
will be considered absent unless you stay after class and inform the instructor you are there. More than 3 late tardies
will count for an absence.
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ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Cheating on exams or plagiarism on ANY assignments will not be tolerated and may result in an F grade for the class
and a referral to the division dean for discipline. Be careful with internet material. Please cite sources correctly on
where you found them. Items will also be shared in class with others.
EXAMS
There will be approximately 3 non-cumulative midterm exams and several quizzes given in this class. Exams will
consist of multiple choice questions, true/false, identification items and short essays. A slide identification test will
be given covering all Pre-Colombian material on the first midterm. Practice slides are available on my website.
Only 3 days are given to make up any exam or quiz if an extreme emergency prevents a student from taking it on
the day that it is scheduled, arrangements must be made prior to the next class session, for a make up.
Documentation of the emergency must be provided or there will be no make-up exam offered. You may NOT
use a class session to make up exams. Please keep track of your grades. Discrepancies must be resolved immediately
after each exam is returned. Homework assignments will not be accepted late and they do receive a grade.
DISABILITIES STATEMENT:
Any student who may need special accommodations in this class is encouraged to contact the Disabled Students
Program and Services office as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely
manner. The office is located in room S205.
PARTICIPATION:
Several in-class assignments will be made throughout the course and these will be graded. You must be present in
class to receive the assignment and submit it when due. Some are written learning reflection questions or issues
assigned for analysis, reaction or personal opinions, some are group activities that require preparation and
presentation to class and some are take home quizzes. If you are absent, you must make sure that you are not
missing these assignments and take home quizzes. They will still be due on the date requested.
RESEARCH REPORT – DUE October 27 – Worth 100 points
In order to expand topics covered during class discussions, a research report is an important component of the
course. Select a topic, by Sept 15th if not sooner, related directly to the class by reviewing the lecture schedule. No
topic can be duplicated. Topic list is kept by professor. Research the topic by using at least 3 reliable Internet and
other hard copy sources. No late assignment will be accepted.
The following specifications are required and will affect the grade if not met. Paper must:
 Be 5-7 pages in length, double spaced, typed in a clear 12-inch font. (not all caps)
 Use double space with one inch margins all around
 Include page numbering (except on title page)
 Have a title page that includes the class time, your name, and title of report
 Have an introduction where there is a clear Thesis Statement
 Include footnotes or reference notes as needed (do not plagiarize)
 Have a well thought out conclusion of your findings that reflect your research
 Include a bibliography on a separate page of all items read or used to research your topic,
even if not quoted. Do not use your text as research material.
 Include the Xerox copies of the internet sources found
 Have good paragraphing, clarity of sentence structure and wording, correct spelling, and
punctuation, documentation format, etc.
 Paper must be stapled, even if you use a cover
Note: Please sign topic up with instructor. No topic is to be duplicated. Topic must be narrow in focus.
This paper may also be a group research report (No more than 3 persons per group). If
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you should wish to do that, only one report is submitted with the signatures on the title
page of all participants who helped with the research.
WRITTEN REPORT RUBRIC
RUBRIC
Completeness
Research
Content
Form
90-100
Your grade on your report is based on the following rubric:
80-89
60-79
40 or less
5-7 pages in length with
introduction & conclusion.
Has full name, class time &
days labeled on a title page.
3-4 pages with introduction
& conclusion. Topic is too
broad. Title page missing
items.
Less than 3 pages in length.
Incomplete
or
vague
introduction or conclusion.
Incomplete title page
Less than 2 pages in length.
Has vague introduction
and/or conclusion. No title
page, no bibliography
Has a bibliography with at
least 3 credible and
reputable sources correctly
cited
Topic is specific and
narrow in focus with clear
thesis statement. Covered
content well. Has some
critical thinking.
Double spaced & typed 12
inch font, correct margins,
numbered pages. No major
spelling or grammatical
errors. Stapled.
Has a bibliography and
used 2 credible & correctly
cited sources
Has
incomplete
bibliography or used less
than 2 sources & not
correctly cited
Not specific in focus but
held one topic. Could have
included more content for
topic.
Lacked
Thesis
statement and conclusion.
Double spaced, typed with
several spelling & grammar
errors. Stapled and labeled
correctly.
Lacks a bibliography or
used no credible research
sources.
Somewhat specific in focus
but repetitive or wandered
from topic. Thesis &
Conclusion not as specific.
Double spaced & typed.
Has minimum spelling &
grammatical
errors.
Stapled & correctly labeled.
Very broad and general.
Topic is unclear in focus.
Repetitive
and
not
additional info from class
text available.
Double spaced, typed but
many
spelling
&
grammatical errors. Not
stapled or labeled correctly.
EXTRA CREDIT: OPTIONAL
1. 30 points possible by giving a 3-5 minute oral presentation on your research topic. Sign ups must be done by
October 15th. Topic must be pre-approved and given on the date of the lecture with which it is related. Power
points and visuals are mandatory. No reading to the class, you must know your topic well.
2. Instructor throughout the course will also give miscellaneous extra credit points, often on exams. You must be
present in class to receive them.
3. Library videos can also be used to enhance learning of class topics. Appropriate videos lists are on instructor’s
web page. The videos must be viewed in the library. Librarian will then sign a form to confirm your presence.
Use the back of that form to write a few paragraphs regarding the content of the video and your analysis of what
you learned and how it relates to class. Any extra credit of this type must be completed and turned in the day of
the related midterm. 5 points will then be added to your exam score. Only 1 video per midterm is allowed.
KEEP TRACK OF YOUR GRADES:
Midterm 1
Quiz 1
Midterm 2
Quiz 2
Midterm 3 (final)
Quiz 3
Participation
Research Report
Extra Credit Oral
Slide Exam on Mesoamerica
CLASS OVERVIEW
The following is a general but flexible schedule of class lectures and discussions to be held.
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Please read your assignments prior to coming to class. Always bring your text to class, as well as
materials to take notes.
WEEK
Week 1
Aug 23
Aug 24
Week 2
Aug 30
Sept 1
Week 3
CLASS TOPIC
Mesoamerica
The study of Mesoamerica including time horizons, regions
and characteristics.
Pre-Classical Period: Olmec and Tlatilco
Social, religious, and artistic background of the Tlatilco and
Olmec civilizations
HolidaySept 6
Sept 8
Classical Period:
Emphasis on Teotihuacan residing in the Central Plateau, the
Totonacs in the Gulf Coast, the Zapotecs in the archeological
region of Oaxaca and the Western Civilizations in the Western
States of Mexico. All active during the Classical Period
Week 4
Classical Period: Maya
Sept 13
Sept 15
Besides the general Maya background, various archeological
sites will be studied in the Maya area
Week 5
Sept 20
Sept 22
Historical Period
Huastecs, Mixtecs, Toltec, Maya-Toltecs and Aztec existed inj
the Historical Period. We cover the social, political, religious,
artistic, and economic development of each.
Week 6
MIDTERM ONE
Sept 27
Sept 29
Week 7
Oct 4
Oct 6
Week 8
Oct 11
Oct 13
Week 9
Oct 18
Oct 20
ASSIGNMENT
There will be a slide test on Mesoamerican
art.
Conquest and Life in New Spain
The clash of two cultures: Indigenous and Spanish. The social,
political, and economic aspects of the Colonial Period will be
emphasized
Extra credit video
is due with
Midterm.
Colonial Period
The role of Catholicism and its influence on Mexican culture.
Colonial architecture will also be shown
Overview of Historical Events:
War of Independence
War with Texas
Group
presentations
6
War with U.S.
War of Reform
War with France
Week
10
Oct 25
Oct 27
Week
11
Causes, main persons
involved and results of each
Mexican Revolution
The Mexican Revolution of 1910
Causes, main persons and results
MIDTERM TWO
Nov 1
Nov 3
Week
12
Nov 8
Nov 10
Week
13
Nov 15
Nov 17
Week
14
Nov 22
Nov 24
Week
15
Nov 29
Dec 1
Week
16
Finals
Extra credit video
is due on day of
Midterm
Muralists
The portrayal of the Revolution by the major muralists:
Orozco, Siquieros and Rivera. Posada and Frida Kahlo are
also covered.
Overview of Mexican Literature
Major literary figures and literary stages. Also included are
traditional folk legends.
Values and tradition
Exploring traditional “Mexican” values/traditions/beliefs
Curanderismo
Popular Folk curing practices
Mexican Music and Dance
Overview of Music, Corridos and other songs and dances of
Mexico that have influenced its culture. Old performers.
Closure – Class potluck party
Final will be on December 8 at 8:05
Thank you for selecting this class.
Extra credit video
is due on day of
final.