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ANTH 3311

Mexico: From Conquest to Cancun

Spring 2004  Dallas Hall 115  Tues./Thurs. 2:00-3:20 p.m.

Prof. Robert V. Kemper   phone: 214-768-2928   email: rkemper@smu.edu

Course DescriptionAn introduction to the unity and diversity of Mexican society as it has developed through encounters with other cultures – from 16th century conquistadores to 21st century tourists and emigrants. Fulfills co-curricular requirement for Diversity.

SYLLABUS AND SCHEDULE

SYLLABUS

Required and Recommended Readings

Bonfil Batalla, Guillermo (1996) México Profundo: Reclaiming a Civilization (translated by Philip A. Dennis).  Austin: University of Texas Press. (originally published as México profundo: una civilización negada)

Cahn, Peter (2003) All Religions Are Good in Tzintzuntzan. Austin: University of Texas Press.

Bon Appétit (May 2003) [A Special Collector’s Edition, “The Soul of Mexico”]

Recommended readings will be found on reserve at the ISEM Library and/or on the course web site.  In addition, Compact Disk-based data sources may be distributed in class and/or placed on reserve at the CMIT.

Course Requirements

1. In-Class Quizzes (10%; n = 11; worth 1% each, total = 10%, after dropping the lowest grade). Normally, these will be open-book and open-notes. No make-ups; each missed quiz will be counted as a “zero” unless adequate and timely medical (or family emergency) documentation is provided.

2. Map Quiz (5%). An in-class closed-book, closed-notes quiz on the states, state capitals, major rivers, and major mountain ranges of Mexico.  This map quiz will be scheduled during the class session on 27 January. (see Map Quiz Preparation).

3. Field assignment (10%). Visit three “Mexican” restaurants (from approved list on the course web site); write a 4 page (1,000 words) comparative analysis: due at class on 19 February. (For details, see Fieldwork Assignment -- Restaurants.)

4. Midterm (25%).  Write two take-home essays (from three choices provided) – each 4 to 5 pages (1,000-1,250 words); due at class on 2 March. (for details, see Midterm Exam Questions)

5. Sim-tzuntzan Project (25%).  Complete two analyses (12.5% each) of the circumstances of local community life.   You may do these exercises individually or in teams (no more than four persons per team).  Each Exercise should result in a report of 3-4 pages (750-1,000 words), not counting data or images presented in appendices. Due dates: Sim-tzuntzan Exercise 1 is due in class on  25 March; Sim-tzuntzan Exercise 2 is due in class on 15 April. (also see Aerial Photos and Images). (NOTE: The "Sim-tzuntzan Exercise 2" papers will be considered "late" starting at 3:20 p.m. on April 15th. Late papers may be penalized up to one letter grade for any part of a 24-hour period beginning at 3:20 p.m. on April 15th.)

6. Final Exam (25%).  Write two take home essays – each 4 to 5 pages (1,000-1,250 words). One of the essays will be based on INEGI data sources (to be distributed in class and/or available on reserve at the ISEM library) related to the transformation of Mexico society in the 20th century.  Due no later than 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 6th, at Prof. Kemper’s office.  (NOTE: The examination essays will be considered "late" starting at 2:30 p.m. on May 6th. Late papers may be penalized up to one letter grade for any part of a 24-hour period beginning at 2:30 p.m. on May 6th.)

The SMU Student “Code of Conduct”

Students are expected to abide by the SMU Code of Conduct in all matters related to this course, including work inside and outside of the classroom.  For details, please see http://www.smu.edu/studentlife/PCL_03_Conduct_Code.asp

Policy on Make-ups, Lateness, and Attendance:

Students are expected to attend all class sessions.  If you will not be able to attend a specific session, you must make arrangements with another student to get copies of notes, etc.  Assignments must be turned in on time; for each 24-hour period an assignment is late, one full grade will be deducted (e.g., an “A” paper will become a “B” paper).  Appropriate medical and family excuses will be accepted in order to establish new dates for assignments.  Make-ups for the Final Examination will require substantial justification.

Excused Absences for University Extracurricular Activities

Students participating in an officially sanctioned, scheduled University extracurricular activity will be given the opportunity to make up class assignments or other graded assignments missed as a result of their participation.  It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements with the instructor prior to any missed scheduled examination or other missed assignment for making up the work.  (University Undergraduate Catalogue)

Altschuler Learning Enhancement Center

Students who require extra assistance with writing, reading, or test-taking should consult the Altschuler Learning Enhancement Center staff.  For details, please see http://www.smu.edu/alec/home/

Disability Accommodations

Students needing academic accommodations for a disability must first contact Ms. Rebecca Marin, Coordinator, Services for Students with Disabilities (214-768-4557) to verify the disability and establish eligibility for accommodations.  They should then schedule an appointment with the professor to make appropriate arrangements.  (See University Policy No. 2.4.)  Please see http://www.smu.edu/studentlife/OSSD_Facts.asp

Religious Observances

Religiously observant students wishing to be absent on holidays that require missing class should notify their professors in writing at the beginning of the semester, and should discuss with them, in advance, acceptable ways of making up any work missed because of the absence.  (See University Policy No. 1.9.)

SCHEDULE

DATE

TOPIC

“Mexico:” changing concepts of space and place

Readings: Bonfil, vii-xxi; 3-18

“Insider” and “Outsider” views of Mexico

Video: “The Mexicans through their eyes” (1992, 59 mins.; IVS 03690)

Readings: Kemper and Royce article on ethics and long-term field research (on course web site)

Before the “Conquest” – Mesoamerican and Spanish civilizations

Video: “Sentinels of Silence” (1990, 18 mins.; IVS 02573)

Recommended readings: Foster, Culture and Conquest, pp. 10-20, 227-234 (on reserve at ISEM Library); Arqueología Mexicana, special edition on “Aztecas” (bilingual Spanish/English texts).

From “Conquest” to “Encounter” – Reassessing The Colonial Period

Video: “The conquest of Mexico” (1991, 36 mins.; IVS 02530)

Readings: Bonfil, 61-93

MAP QUIZ -- in class

From “El Grito” to the Mexican Revolution: 100 years of Transformation

Readings: Bonfil, 94-107

From Zapata to the Zapatistas: National and Regional Issues in the Twentieth Century

Video: “The Last Zapatista” (1995, 30 mins.; IVS 06959)

Readings: 

The Population of Mexico in the Twentieth Century

Readings: sign out the special data INEGI CD available from Prof. Kemper.

Ethnic Groups and Ethnicity in the Twentieth Century

Readings: Bonfil, pp. 19-58, 129-149; Royce-Kemper article on ethnic identity

Mole, Menudo, and McDonald’s: “Food” and “Wellness” in Mexican Life

Readings: Bon Appétit magazine (May 2003 issue);

Recommended readings: Kemper article on Food in Tzintzuntzan;

Foster articles on health in Tzintzuntzan (on reserve at ISEM Library)

Guest Lecture: “The Tarascans [Purépecha]” -- Dr. Julie Adkins

Readings: Adkins, “The Tarascans” ; Foster, Empire's Children, pp. 6-26

Tzintzuntzan Fiesta -- Nuestro Señor de Rescate ("Our Lord of Redemption")

Reading: Foster: Empire's Children, pp. 204-224; Cahn (2003), Preface and chapters 1 and 2

Video: Tzintzuntzan (1991), S. Brandes, Module #3

FIELD ASSIGNMENT (MEXICAN RESTAURANTS) -- due in class

HAND OUT MIDTERM ESSAY QUESTIONS (For details, see Midterm Exam Questions)

Local Communities in the Twentieth Century: The Case of Tzintzuntzan

Video: Foster - Tzintzuntzan (1945); Aerial Videos: Kemper - Tzintzuntzan (2000)

Readings: Foster Long-Term article; Kemper Long-Term article

Introduction to the “Sim-tzuntzan Project:” Using GIS to Understand Community Transformation (see Aerial Photos and Images)

Video: Tzintzuntzan (1991), Foster, Modules #1

Readings: Cahn (2003), chapters 3 and 4.

Introduction to the “Sim-tzuntzan Project:” Using GIS to Understand Community Transformation (see Aerial Photos and Images)

Video: Tzintzuntzan (1991), Foster, Modules #2

Readings: Cahn (2003), chapters 5, 6, and Conclusion

MIDTERM ESSAYS DUE

Social Life: dyadic contracts, families and households, kinship and ritual kinship  (compadrazgo), patron-client relationships, social networks, etc.

Readings: Kemper article on urban compadrazgo; George M. Foster (1967), Tzintztuntzan: Mexican Peasants in a Changing World, chapter 11 ("The dyadic Contract")

Gender Issues in Mexican Life

Readings:  Matthew Gutmann (1996), The Meanings of Macho, chapter 9 ("Machismo"); Kemper, Marianismo paper

Case Study: Zapotec Women in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec

Video: “Blossoms of Fire” (2000, 74 mins.; IVS 07435)

Economic Life: “image of limited good;” production, distribution, and consumption; marketplaces; tandas; etc.

Readings: George M. Foster (1967), Tzintztuntzan: Mexican Peasants in a Changing World, chapter 6 ("The Image of Limited Good");  Carlos Velez-Ibañez (1983), Bonds of Mutual Trust, chapter 1 ("Theoretical Issues")

SIM-TZUNTZAN EXERCISE #1 DUE AT CLASS

Religious Life in Contemporary Mexico: Catholicism, civil-religious hierarchies, fiestas, pilgrimages, Protestantism, etc.

Readings: review Cahn (2003)

Arts and Crafts in Contemporary Mexico

Recommended Readings: Great Masters of Mexican Folk Art, -- non-circulating book at DeGolyer Library.

Video: “The Weavers of Ahuirán” (1991, 53 mins.; IVS 08153)

DISCUSS SIM-TZUNTZAN EXERCISE #2

Migration and Urbanization in the Twentieth Century: Metropolis, Cities, Towns, and Villages

Video: “Continent on the Move” (1993, 60 mins.; IVS 02921)

Readings: Kemper-Royce article on Mexican Urbanization Since 1821; Kemper-Royce article on Urbanization in Mexico

Mexico City: National Symbol, Local Reality

Readings: Kemper article, “Mexico City” 

Tourism in Contemporary Mexico

Readings: Kemper Tourism article (on course web site) and Kemper article on Taos-Pátzcuaro tourism (on reserve at ISEM Library); also consult the website page (and links) about Cancún

Borders as Middles: Problems and Progress along the Mexico-U.S. Border

Video: “The Forgotten Americans” (2000, 56 mins; IVS 07188)

Reading: The Mexico-U.S. Borders: Historical Transformation

SIM-TZUNTZAN EXERCISE #2 DUE

“¿La Reconquista?” Mexican Americans in the U.S.

Readings: Kemper, Mexicans in U.S. article (on course web site);

Recommended reading: Palerm article on farmworkers (on reserve at ISEM Library)

Video. “The Other Side of the Border” (1987; 60 mins.; IVS 00810)

Distribute (and post to course web site) Final Examination questions

The Twenty-first Century: Toward a “New” Mexico?

Readings: Bonfil, pp. 153-176

"Fiesta Mexicana" (scheduled for Room 153 Heroy)

Course Summary and student course Evaluations -- in class