CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LOS ANGELES
DEPARTMENT OF ART
ART 450 COLONIAL ART OF MEXICO AND GUATEMALA: Tequitqui,
Baroque and Churrigueresque Art
DR. MANUEL AGUILAR
Office: FA 228
Email: maguila2@calstatela.edu (preferable means of communication)
Office Phone: (323) 343-4054
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND GENERAL OBJECTIVE:
This is a lecture course that surveys the art and architecture of colonial Mexico
and Guatemala, from the time of the Spanish Conquest in 1521 to the Independence in
1821. Analysis and interpretation of the art will be based primarily on its role as a
transmitter of cultural information and world view. We will focus particularly on the
continuities and interaction of ideologies that characterize the Indian-Christian art
(tequitqui) of the sixteenth century and how through a process of transculturation it
contributed to the formation of the Mexican identity. We will also study the Indian
version of Baroque and Churrigueresque styles that led to the creation of a new artistic
conception in Mexico and Guatemala, different than the European canons. In sum, this
course will provide students with a general knowledge of the unique artistic traditions
developed in Colonial Mexico and Guatemala.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
After the students have successfully completed this course, they will be able to:
 Analyze, critique, discuss and write accordingly to their level about the history of
significant works of art.
 Distinguish and critically analyze relevant concepts and approaches related to the
art and architecture studied.
 Develop the desire of traveling to appreciate from personal experience the
countries studied and their cultural and artistic expressions.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Aguilar, Manuel. Tequitqui Art of Sixteenth-Century Mexico: An Expression of
Transculturation. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Texas at Austin, 1999.
Reproduced as a Cal State L.A. Course Packet, 2000.
Mullen, Robert. Architecture and its Sculpture in Viceregal Mexico. Austin:
University of Texas Press, 1997.
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GRADING:
There will be two exams, each worth 50 % of your final grade. The exams may
consist of essay questions, slide identifications and comparisons, multiple choice
questions, and/or short answer questions. There will be no makeup exams; if a student
misses an exam, a zero will be given unless a valid medical excuse is provided. There
may be quizzes without notice at any time. The points of the quizzes will be added to the
final grade as extra help, but if the student gets a zero in a quiz, then he/she will lose 2
points of the final grade.
In the spirit to help the student, there may be the opportunity of extra credit, if
during the quarter emerge appropriate activities related to the course. They normally
consist of visiting a temporary exhibition in a museum or attending to a lecture related to
the topics of class and writing a paper about some aspects learned in the activity. Details
about these possible extra-credit activities will be given in class.
ATTENDANCE AND CLASS PARTICIPATION:
As exam material will be drawn from class lectures as well as the required texts, it
is important to attend all lectures if you intend to fare well in this class. It is also crucial
to read ahead of the subject covered in class so you are prepared to discuss it and have an
active participation.
It is required to have a respectful behavior in class towards the classmates and
instructor. It implies refraining of doing disrupting activities, such as chatting, saying
rude comments, playing videogames, phone texting, reading books or doing homework
from other classes, etc.
Attendance to classes is mandatory and roll will be called every class. The student
will be allowed only two absences. Each additional absence will discount 5 points of the
student’s final grade. Please be advised that two tardies (5 minutes late or early
departure) equal one absence. If you are planning to leave the class early for whatever
reason, is recommendable better not to attend, unless you notify the instructor at the
beginning of the class.
IT IS TOTALLY PROHIBITED TO BRING TO CLASS ELECTRONIC
DEVICES, SUCH AS LAPTOPS, MOBILE PHONES, IPADS, IPODS, WALKMAN,
TAPE RECORDERS, ETC.
IT IS PROHIBITED TO BRING FOOD TO CLASS, EXCEPT A BOTTLE OF
WATER.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Academic Honesty (Preamble)
The University in its quest for truth and knowledge embraces honesty and integrity.
These fundamental values must not be compromised. The trust and respect among
professors, student and the society need to be vigilantly protected. Cheating and
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plagiarism can be neither justified nor condoned as this would destroy the ideals and
purposes of higher education. Students enter the University to gain the knowledge and
tools necessary for participation in society. Academic integrity is one foundation for a
society based on trust and honesty. Therefore, the University takes seriously its
responsibility for academic honesty (2009-2011 University Catalog, pp. 762-764).
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Reasonable accommodation will be provided to any student who is registered with the
Office of Students with Disabilities and requests needed accommodation.
Electronic Mail (E-mail)
California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) officially communicates to students
using electronic mail (E-mail) and other methods. E-mail provides a cost-effective,
timely, and environmentally sensitive means of communicating university business and
academic information. Students are expected to access their CSULA E-mail account on a
regular basis so that official university, college and department communications are
delivered and received in a timely manner, and students do not miss important
information. If you wish to forward your CSULA E-mail to another account, follow the
link for instructions on how to do that:
http://www.calstatela.edu/its/docs/pdf/forwarding_emails.pdf
COURSE SCHEDULE:
1) and 2) Introduction to the Course and the Spiritual Conquest. The Role of the
religious orders. Aguilar 1-44.
3) Franciscan Millenialism and the concept of Jerusalén Indiana. Aguilar 45-59.
4) and 5) The Indio Ladino as a cultural mediator in the colonial society. Aguilar 60-87.
6) and 7) The concept of Tequitqui Art and Sixteenth Century Mexican monastic
architecture: atrio, church and monastery. Aguilar 88-124, Mullen 1-29.
8) and 9) Sixteenth Century art in Distrito Federal and State of Mexico. Aguilar 125197, Mullen 29-84.
10) and 11) Sixteenth Century art in the states of Puebla and Tlaxcala. Aguilar 198-269,
Mullen 29-84.
12) and 13) EXAM 1 and the Cathedrals as symbols of authority. Mullen 85-115.
14), 15) and 16) Mexican Baroque Art: 1630-1730. Mullen 116-166.
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17), 18) and 19) The Fantasy of the Mexican Churrigueresque Art: 1730-1800. Mullen
167-205.
20) Baroque Art in Antigua, Guatemala.
FINAL EXAM DAY: EXAM 2.
(NOTE: For date and time of final examination, please see the Schedule of Classes
booklet of the corresponding quarter).
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