HONR 216 [Tues: 0101/Wed. 0201]
SPRING 2009
SYLLABUS-1
“In Search of Ancient Astronomies”
University Honors Program Seminar and CORE Distributive Studies: CORE-HO
[Humanities: Language, Culture, and Philosophy], and CORE-D [Human Cultural
Diversity] course.
[0101] Meets: Tues. nights, 27 Jan. - 5 May, 7:00 - 9:30 P.M., ANA 0120: 14 classes.
[0201] Meets: Wed. nights, 28 Jan. - 6 May, 7:00 - 9:30 P.M., ANA 0120: 14 classes.
Professor:
Dr. John B. Carlson, Phone: (301) 864-6637, <Tlaloc@umd.edu>
Mailing address: P. O. Box “X”, College Park, MD 20741-3022
Office hours: After class or by arrangement. Office: Honors Faculty Office ANA 1114.
Texts:
• Michael D. Coe (2005): The Maya (Seventh Edition); Thames & Hudson.
• Allen J. Christenson (2007): Popol Vuh: The Great Classic of Central American Spirituality
(Translated from the Original Maya Text); Univ. of Oklahoma Press.
• Friar Diego de Landa ([1566] (1937 => 1978): Yucatan Before and After the Conquest.
Translated with notes by William Gates; Dover Books.
& Miguel León-Portilla (1963; 1990): Aztec Thought and Culture: A Study of the Ancient
Nahuatl Mind; Univ. of Oklahoma Press.
& Prudence M. Rice (2007): Maya Calendar Origins: Monuments, Mythistory, and the
Materialization of Time; Univ. of Texas Press.
& Anthony F. Aveni (2001): Skywatchers: A revised and updated version of “Skywatchers of
Ancient Mexico”; University of Texas Press.
• E. C. Krupp (1978): In Search of Ancient Astronomies. [Ch. 1: Handout].
• J. B. Carlson (1990): “America’s Ancient Skywatchers,” National
Geographic Magazine: March 1990. [In Hornbake Library reserve]
• Assigned readings on: http://www.honors.umd.edu/216/ & the Web.
• 10 video assignments: available on Dial-Access and/or Reserve at the
Non-print Media Library, Hornbake Library First Floor.
• Various xeroxed handouts (often concerning relevant new discoveries,
current events, discussions, and editorials). [$15 fee]
• = REQUIRED,
& = SUGGESTED
CORE Distributive Studies:
CORE-HO [Humanities: Language, Culture, and Philosophy] Courses:
CORE-General Education has both broad learning outcomes for the program as a whole
and outcomes for each of the different CORE Distributive Studies categories. To see the
Student Learning Outcomes for CORE, please visit:
http://www.ugst.umd.edu/core/LearningOutcome.htm. No one CORE course will
address all of the Learning Outcome Goals listed for its category. Some courses may
contribute to general education in important ways not directly covered by the learning
outcomes listed.
CORE-D [Human Cultural Diversity] Courses:
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CORE-General Education has both broad learning outcomes for the program as a whole
and outcomes for CORE Human Cultural Diversity courses. To see the Student
Learning Outcomes for CORE, please visit:
http://www.ugst.umd.edu/core/LearningOutcome.htm. No one CORE Diversity
course will address all of the Learning Outcome Goals listed. Some courses may
contribute to general education in important ways not directly covered by the learning
outcomes listed.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This CORE Distributive Studies, Humanities, and Cultural Diversity seminar is an
introduction to the investigation of world astronomical and cosmological traditions
through the interdiscipline of Archaeoastronomy: the study of the astronomical practices,
celestial lore, mythologies, religions and cosmologies of all ancient and indigenous
peoples. Archaeoastronomy is essentially an “Anthropology of Astronomy” – the study
of astronomy and astronomers in their cultural contexts – in contrast to the more
traditional field of “History of Astronomy” which deals largely with (a) the “Western”
cultural tradition, (b) textual sources, and (c) approaches astronomy as part of Western
science. In Archaeoastronomy, all astronomical traditions may be addressed; all potential
sources of relevant data are explored; and the focus is on how astronomers and
astronomical knowledge function within their cultural contexts. Your teacher is one of the
pioneers in this interdiscipline and examples of his research and published work,
perspective, methodologies, and thinking are offered for discussion and critique. Our
studies are multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and often cooperative, where
astronomers, archaeologists, art historians, scholars in “Classics”, anthropologists,
geographers, and architects may work together to solve problems that each individual
might not be equipped to deal with on his or her own. We consciously take a broad view
of our subject including studies of calendars, mathematics, geometry, counting systems,
numerology, navigation techniques, surveying, architectural canons, urban planning and
geomancy (the analysis of the ritual landscape) as well as indigenous astronomies and
cosmologies. Through readings and writing assignments, students are encouraged to
evaluate critically knowledge gained through interdisciplinary research in the physical
and social sciences, the arts, and the humanities. It is understood that the future careers of
many students will likely fall into new, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary fields,
perhaps yet to be developed or imagined.
HONR 216 also includes a primer in some of the essentials of “naked-eye astronomy,” the
exploration of what one can see and learn about the celestial realms of the naturally dark
night skies, from different times and places on Earth, without the aid of telescopes. One
class is an evening visit to the Einstein Planetarium at the National Air and Space
Museum for a program created especially for this course where the “ancient skies” of our
ancestors can be recreated.
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One other special component of this seminar is an introduction to the relatively new subdiscipline of “Archaeology of Pilgrimage.” From the earliest records of human activity,
people have regularly revisited special, often sacred, places, usually accordingly to
astronomically or calendrically timed schedules. People may “go on pilgrimage” as
individuals or in groups, but they often leave their mark in the material record. How
would one determine if archaeological sites such as the world famous “Stonehenge” in
England or the “Pyramid of Kukulkan” at Chichén Itzá in Yucatan, Mexico, were regular
pilgrimage destinations, with all that this would encompass? Archaeoastronomy
provides some of the methodologies that we would employ as we ask such archaeological
questions.
Students are encouraged to search for and share new discoveries (in the news, in the
literature, and on the web) that are relevant to the topics under study and discussion in
this seminar. Each semester, HONR 216 is designed to focus in on one particular overall
cultural area with explorations of several specific cases and themes in archaeoastronomy.
CULTURAL AREAS AND THEMES FOR THE SPRING 2008 SEMESTER:
HONR 216 “In search of Ancient Astronomies” is usually taught with a focus on several
themes within one particular general cultural region. For the Spring 2008 semester,
overall theme will be Native American astronomy and world-view with a specific
cultural focus on Greater Mesoamerica, that cultural region that includes the “Four
Corners” area of the U.S. Southwest, Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and portions of
Honduras and El Salvador. Within Greater Mesoamerica, the explorations will be
narrowed to concentrate on the Maya cultural region of Eastern Mesoamerica as well as
several civilizations of Highland Central Mexico including Cacaxtla-Xochitécatl (in
Tlaxcala), and Teotihuacan and the Aztec (in the Valley of Mexico).
THE VIDEO ASSIGNMENTS:
Film and Video Review Notes for Discussion and Oral and Written Reviews:
Several of the assigned films and videos, often PBS documentaries, will be on reserve for
this class in the Non-Print Media Library on the First Floor of the Hornbake
Undergraduate Library. All will be available on the "Dial-Access" system on the
scheduled dates for HONR 216 [see below in the Class Schedule] to be viewed on a
regular schedule cycle any time during daily Dial-Access System video programming
hours at one of their many video carrels. Please contact the Non-Print Media Library at
405-9236 or go there in person to ask for the details. The channel numbers are also posted
there. These assignments MUST be typed and follow specific instructions which will be
handed out.
RESEARCH PAPER:
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There will be a 12-page, typed, double-spaced, referenced research paper assigned on an
approved topic, to be selected from a list of specific research projects, related to the topics
and areas we will explore this semester. In addition to Native American astronomy and
cosmology of the Greater Mesoamerican cultural region, there will be a focus on Maya
and Aztec calendar and cosmology and the completion of one important large cycle of
time in the Maya calendar near the end of 2012 C.E. We will also investigate cosmologies
of great cycles of time and/or the end of the world in some other ancient or
contemporary cultural traditions. Research Paper Due on 28/29 April.
(1) Submit a 2-page (min.) typed outline of your proposed topic (or topics) on 24/25 March.
(2) Submit a 3-page (min.) typed outline of your approved topic on 7/8 April including
most of your source and reference material. You will be given detailed written
instructions and guidelines for this assignment.
CLASS SCHEDULE (Tuesday & Wednesday Sections):
[1] TW 27/28 Jan TOPICS: (Section I 1): Semester Introduction, perhaps with brief
PowerPoint [PP] Slide Show. Getting to know our group. Course Syllabus 1 and Outline
given. What are Archaeoastronomy, Ethnoastronomy, and the study of Astronomy in
Culture? Include an introduction to the History of Archaeoastronomy. Why are these
subjects different from the study of the History of Astronomy? What is “Western
Civilization”? Includes an introduction to the idea of doing interdisciplinary and
multidisciplinary research, with the Professor’s research to be offered as examples. The
students are encouraged to search for and share new discoveries (in the news, in the
literature, and on the web) that are relevant to the topics under study and discussion in
this seminar.
VideoAssign 1: Cracking the Stone Age Code with Alexander Thom. [52 Min. on Dial-Access:
26 Jan. - 8 Feb.] ==> 3 pp. Review Notes. [GN792.G7C7]
[2] TW 3/4 Feb
TOPICS: (Section NEA1): Introduction to the basic ideas of “Nakedeye Astronomy”. The trip to the NASM Einstein Planetarium later in the course will be
discussed. Illustrated with PowerPoint slide show along with other visuals and handouts.
Horizon Calendar, Solstices & Equinoxes, and the motions of Venus covered.
Reading Assign DUE: E. C. Krupp (1978): In Search of Ancient Astronomies. [Ch. 1]
VideoAssign 2: City of the Gods. [25 min. color VHS. on Dial-Access: 2 - 8 Feb.] ==> 2 pp.
Review Notes.
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[3] TW 10/11 Feb TOPICS: (Section CXM1): Introduction to Native American
Astronomy and Mesoamerican Culture. Introduction to Archaeology of Pilgrimage
studies. Start presentation on mountain worship, pilgrimage, astronomy, calendar, and
cosmology in Highland Central Mexico with the astronomical alignments at CacaxtlaXochitecatl, San Miguel del Milagro, and La Malinche Mountain in Tlaxcala. Venusregulated warfare and ritual sacrifice in Mesoamerica. [PP Slide show]
Reading Assign DUE: Carlson (1990): “America’s Ancient Skywatchers,”
V VideoAssign 1 DUE: Cracking the Stone Age Code with Alexander Thom. [50 Min. on DialAccess: 26 Jan. - 8 Feb.] ==> 3 pp. Review Notes.
V VideoAssign 2 DUE: City of the Gods. [25 min. color VHS. on Dial-Access: 2 - 8 Feb.]
==> 2 pp. Review Notes.
VideoAssign 3: Ancient Voices: Aztecs. [59 min color VHS on Dial-Access: 9 - 15 Feb.] ==>
2 pp. Review Notes.
VideoAssign 4: Sacred Games. [59 min color VHS on Dial-Access: 9 - 22 Feb.] ==> 2 pp.
Review Notes. [F1435.3.R3 S23 1988]
[4] TW 17/18 Feb
TOPICS: (Section CXM2): Continue presentation on mountain
worship, pilgrimage, astronomy, calendar, and cosmology in Highland Central Mexico
with the astronomical alignments at Cacaxtla-Xochitecatl, San Miguel del Milagro, and La
Malinche Mountain in Tlaxcala. [PP Slide show]
V VideoAssign 3 DUE: Ancient Voices: Aztecs. [59 min color VHS on Dial-Access: 9 - 15
Feb.] ==> 2 pp. Review Notes.
VideoAssign 5 Incidents of Travel in Chichén Itzá. [90 min. color DVD on Dial-Access: 23
Feb. - 8 Mar.] ==> 3 pp. Review Notes. [F1435.1.C5 H56 1997]
[5] TW 24/25 Feb TOPICS: (Section CXM3): Conclude presentation on mountain
worship, pilgrimage, astronomy, calendar, and cosmology in Highland Central Mexico
with the astronomical alignments at Cacaxtla-Xochitecatl, San Miguel del Milagro, and La
Malinche Mountain in Tlaxcala. [PP Slide show]
V VideoAssign 4 DUE: Sacred Games. [59 min color VHS on Dial-Access: 9 - 22 Feb.] ==>
2 pp. Review Notes.
[6] TW 3/4 Mar
TOPICS: Further discussion after the exam of topics covered.
EXAM 1: (Approx 1 hour): Short answers or short essays related to your in-class lectures
and discussions, assigned readings, and video assignments.
Reading Assign DUE: Coe (2005): The Maya; Landa ([1566] (1937 => 1978): Yucatan Before
and After the Conquest; Carlson (1990): “America’s Ancient Skywatchers”.
VideoAssign 6 The Tree of Life. [29 min. color DVD on Dial-Access: 2 - 8 Mar.] ==> 2 pp.
Review Notes.
• Research Paper Assignment Guidelines HANDOUT.
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[7] TW 10/11 Mar TOPICS: (Section CES1): Pilgrimage to the equinox descent of the
Serpent of Light and Shadow at Chichén Itzá, Yucatan 1. Introduction to the Maya
calendar system, mathematics and astronomy.
V VideoAssign 5 DUE: Incidents of Travel in Chichén Itzá. [90 min. color DVD on DialAccess: 23 Feb. - 8 Mar.] ==> 3 pp. Review Notes
V VideoAssign 6 DUE: The Tree of Life. [29 min. color DVD on Dial-Access: 2 - 8 Mar.]
==> 2 pp. Review Notes.
VideoAssign 7: “Chac 1”: Chac: The Rain God. – Maya with English subtitles. [94 min.
color DVD on Dial-Access: 9 - 29 Mar.] ==> 3 pp. Review. [PN1997. C418 2001]
[x] TW 17/18 Mar
NO CLASSES: SPRING BREAK
[8] TW 24/25 Mar TOPICS: (Section CES2): Pilgrimage to the equinox descent of the
Serpent of Light and Shadow at Chichén Itzá, Yucatan 2. Continuing discussions of
Maya calendar system, mathematics and astronomy: The Haab, Tzolkin, Venus Round,
and Great Venus Round.
V VideoAssign 7: “Chac 1” DUE: 3-page Film Review: Chac: The Rain God. – Maya with
English subtitles. [94 min. color DVD on Dial-Access: 9 - 22 Mar.] ==> 3 pp. Review.
VideoAssign 8: “Chac 2”: Chac: The Rain God. – Maya with English subtitles & Director
Rolando Klein’s commentary. [94 min. color DVD on Dial-Access: 23 - 29 Mar.] ==> 3 pp.
Review Notes. [PN1997. C418 2001]
• Research Paper Outline 1 Due.
[9] TW 31or1 Apr Planetarium Night: TOPICS: (Section NEA2) Naked-eye astronomy
and the dark night sky: past, present and future.
We will arrange to meet at the National Air & Space Museum (Independence Ave. Main
Entrance) promptly at 6:45 P.M. for an Archaeoastronomy evening in the NASM Einstein
Planetarium with Sean O'Brien: (7:00 - 9:15 P.M.) ATTENDANCE REQUIRED: Be at the
NASM no later than 6:45 PM!
[CLASS CANCELLED: TUESDAY xx April]
V VideoAssign 8: “Chac 2” DUE: Chac: The Rain God. – Maya with English subtitles &
Director Rolando Klein’s commentary. [94 min. color DVD on Dial-Access: 23 - 29 Mar.]
==> 3 pp. Review Notes.
VideoAssign 9: Popol Vuh: The Quiché Maya Creation Myth. [F1465.P858 (1988)] [62 min
color VHS on Dial-Access: 30 Mar. - 5 Apr.] ==> 3 pp. Review Notes.
[10] TW 7/8 Apr
TOPICS: (Section ATM) Aztecs & Templo Mayor 1. Introduction to
the Aztecs, their calendar and cosmology as well as their Great Temple in Tenochtitlan,
their capital city.
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READ ASSIGN DUE: Christenson (2007): Popol Vuh.
V VideoAssign 9 DUE: Popol Vuh: The Quiché Maya Creation Myth. [F1465.P858 (1988)]
[62 min color VHS on Dial-Access: 30 Mar. - 5 Apr.] ==> 3 pp. Review Notes.
• Research Paper Outline 2 Due.
[11] TW 14/15 Apr TOPICS: (Section ACal) Aztec Calendar Stone & Templo Mayor 2.
Focus on the “Aztec Calendar Stone”or “Stone of the Five Suns” and Aztec Cosmology,
Cosmogony, and Apocalypticism.
EXAM 2: (Approx 1 hour): Short answers or short essays related to your in-class lectures
and discussions, assigned readings, and video assignments.
VideoAssign 10: Appeals to Santiago. [27 min color VHS on Dial-Access: 13 - 19 Apr.] ==>
2 pp. Review Notes.
[12] TW 21/22 Apr TOPICS: (Section MCal) Maya Calendar & Astronomy 1. The Quiché
Maya epic Popol Vuh legend and Quiché calendrical divination. Maya cosmology.
V VideoAssign 10 DUE: Appeals to Santiago. [27 min color VHS on Dial-Access: 13 - 19
Apr.] ==> 2 pp. Review Notes.
[13] TW 28/29 Apr TOPICS: (Section Mcal) “Maya Flasks and Miniature Vessels” and
what they tell us about the Maya God L, who will preside over the re-creation of the
world in 2012 CE, according to Maya sources. Cyclical space and time and the Maya.
• Research Paper Due.
[14] TW 5/6 May LAST CLASS: TOPICS: (Section Mcal) Maya Calendar and 2012 CE.
The great Maya 13 Baktun cycle and the “Maya Millennium” on 21 December 2012.
Evidence from the Vases of the “7 Gods” and “11 Gods” and Tortuguero Mon. 6. The
roles of God L (Ch’ul May) and Bolon Yocte.
[x] T
12/x May
Tuesday Class Cancelled.
[F] TW 19/20 May FINAL EXAM: Tu May 19/ Wed May 20 Same time and room.
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GRADING:
(1) Class participation & contribution to discussions (15%)
Participation and Responsibility: On-time attendance is strongly encouraged. Obtaining
permission, in advance, for an absence, or to request a change of section, is very strongly
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encouraged. Staying in good communication is certainly always the best idea if you have
any problems. I will listen! In any event, you are always responsible for everything
assigned & discussed in class whether you are there or not. Participation means reading
or viewing all of the specific assigned materials and being prepared for in-class
discussion and debate. I will introduce the discussions, but will rely on students to
provide additional and appropriate facts, insights, analyses, systheses, and critiques of
the sources. Some discussions may be in debate format; others may involve providing the
necessary pieces of data and argument relevant to creating a group systhesis of the topic
under discussion.
(2) Written assignments (40%)
On your essays, you will be graded on how well you express yourself and handle the
facts and arguments... the quality of your essay composition, English grammar, spelling
and presentation. Be creative! You will absolutely not be graded on any of your beliefs,
opinions or questions. You may include art and visual images if you wish in some
assignments but these should not be included in the page count. For length, a bit longer is
better than shorter.
(3) Exams & Quizzes (described below): (45%)
These weighting factors may be adjusted by up to 10% in your favor to place emphasis on
your strengths and improvements in weak areas over the course of the semester.
EXAMS AND QUIZZES:
Exams: Short answers or short essays related to your in-class lectures and discussions,
assigned readings, and video assignments. Both your knowledge of facts, concepts and
assessment of your synthetic and analytic thinking will be included. Exams are
approximately one hour in length. Some questions may well have more than one right
answer; in those cases, you will be graded on how you frame and support your
arguments.
There will be two in-class exams of approximately one hour length (10% each) and a final
exam (15%).
Quizzes: Unannounced quizzes, based on material covered in class and your various
assignments, are possible at almost any time (up to 10 %).
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• Academic Accommodations: If you have a documented disability, you should
contact Disability Support Services 0126 Shoemaker Hall. Each semester students
with documented disabilities should apply to DSS for accommodation request forms
which you can provide to your professors as proof of your eligibility for
accommodations. The rules for eligibility and the types of accommodations a
student may request can be reviewed on the DSS web site at
http://www.counseling.umd.edu/DSS/receiving_serv.html.
• Religious Observances: The University System of Maryland policy provides that
students should not be penalized because of observances of their religious beliefs,
students shall be given an opportunity, whenever feasible, to make up within a
reasonable time any academic assignment that is missed due to individual
participation in religious observances. It is the responsibility of the student to
inform the instructor of any intended absences for religious observances in advance.
Notice should be provided as soon as possible but no later than the end of the
schedule adjustment period. Faculty should further remind students that prior
notification is especially important in connection with final exams, since failure to
reschedule a final exam before the conclusion of the final examination period may
result in loss of credits during the semester. The problem is especially likely to arise
when final exams are scheduled on Saturdays.
• Academic integrity: The University of Maryland has a nationally recognized
Code of Academic Integrity, administered by the Student Honor Council. This Code
sets standards for academic integrity at Maryland for all undergraduate and
graduate students. As a student you are responsible for upholding these standards
for this course. It is very important for you to be aware of the consequences of
cheating, fabrication, facilitation, and plagiarism. For more information on the Code
of Academic Integrity or the Student Honor Council, please visit
http://www.studenthonorcouncil.umd.edu/whatis.html
The University of Maryland is one of a small number of universities with a
student-administered Honors Code and an Honors Pledge, available on the web at
http://www.jpo.umd.edu/aca/honorpledge.html. The code prohibits students
from cheating on exams, plagiarizing papers, submitting the same paper for credit in
two courses without authorization, buying papers, submitting fraudulent
documents, and forging signatures. The University Senate encourages instructors to
ask students to write the following signed statement on each examination or
assignment: "I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any
unauthorized assistance on this examination (or assignment).”
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