SYLLABUS

Texts Required

Burgos-Debray - I, Rigoberta Menchu

Green, D. - Faces of Latin America

Allen, C.- The Hold Life Has: Coca and Cultural Identity in an Andean Community (2^nd edition)

Articles*

Articles and supplementary resources marked by an asterisk * will be on electronic reserve in the library, or handed out in class.

Course Goals

A major goal of the course is to provide students with a solid scholarly basis for understanding contemporary events and sociocultural patterns in Latin America. To achieve this, we shall examine the environmental, historical, economic, political and sociocultural backgrounds of the people in the region. In addition, we shall consider the impact of the contemporary international order on the region.

Assigned Readings

Written Assignment: Find a current news article about Latin America which Rigoberta's autobiography helps explain or aids in our understanding of the issues or problems raised in the article. Write a summary of the article and how it relates to the issues raised by Rigoberta Menchu. Due. Sept.28

Sept. 5	I. Introduction Overview of the Land; Contemporary scenes Gonzalez - "Physical Geography and Settlement Patterns" Latin America: Myth and Reality (Global Studies, Map, p.3-7)
Sept. 10	II. Contemporary Social and Cultural Institutions and Social Problems What to look for in the case studies: I, Rigoberta Menchu and The Hold Life Has Film: When the Mountains Tremble Burgos-Debray, E- I, Rigoberta Menchu:An Indian Woman in Guatemala -pgs.xi-125 *Roots of the Guatemalan Crisis"- Cultural Survival Quarterly. vol 7, no.1, 1983.
Sept 14	No classes
Sept. 17	The State,the Military and Politics, Rigoberta Menchu- Finish book Green-Section 2: Ballots and Bullets: p. 51-88 The State and the Military The Guerillas, Social Movements, and the Left in Power

	Written Assignment: Find a current news article about Latin America which Rigoberta's autobiography helps explain or aids in our understanding of the issues or problems raised in the article. Write a summary of the article and how it relates to the issues raised by Rigoberta Menchu. Due. Sept.28

Oct. 1	III. Precolumbian Backgrounds Why are there quotations from the Popul Vuh and from Miguel Asturias’ Men of Maize at the head of some of the chapters in I, Rigoberta Menchu? A. Village formation; state formation; urbanization Olmecs, Teotihuacan, and the Mayans Fagan- Mesoamerican Civilizations (to be handed out) Film- Excavations at La Venta*
Oct. 8	B. Mesoamerica: Transformations and Late Civilizations: The Maya Collapse, the Toltecs, the Aztecs Culbert - The Maya Collapse Film- The Maya* Film- The Aztecs
Oct. 15	C. Andean States of South America, the Inca Fagan- Andean States (To be handed out) Film- The Inca*
Oct. 24	*MIDTERM*
Oct. 29	Day of the Dead Film- The Day of the Dead Brandes- The Day of the Dead as Mexican National Symbol Sanabria- Todos Santos: The Days of the Dead, p. 192-196
Nov. 5	IV. The Conquest to Modern Times A. Economics Green- Secton 1: The Curse of Wealth, pp. 5-48 History and Power The Commodity Trade Silent Revolution: Market Economics *Townsend- Burying the White Gods: New Perspectives on the Conquest of Mexico
Nov. 12	B. Land, the City and Environment Green- Section 3: pp. 89-132 Promised Land: Land Ownership, Power and Conflict Mean Streets: Migration and Life in the City A Land in Flames: the Environment
Nov. 19	C. Ethnic Relations, Social Stratification Heath - "Viracocha" Green- Section 4: Identity and Rights, pp.135-176 Race and Ethnicity Gender and Politics Social Movements and the Struggle for Change Film: Viracocha*
Nov. 26	D. Social Relations Kinship, Family, Godparenthood Allen- The Hold Life Has- p. 1-126 *Stevens- Marianismo: The Other Face of Machismo
Dec.3	E. Religion and World View Allen- The Hold Life Has- finish book Green- Section 5: Culture and Religion, pp. 179-215 Writing on the Wall: Culture, Identity and Politics They Kingdom Come: The Church
Dec. 10	F. Nutrition, Health and Health Care Sharon, D.- "Eduardo the Healer" Whitehead, L.- "Sembrando El Futuro: Globalization and Commodification of Health Film: Eduardo the Healer
Dec. 12	G. Conclusion and Review Green- p. 216-217

	PAPERS DUE- Dec. 3

Dec. 19	FINAL EXAM- 9:00am

Course Requirements

1. There will be two short writing assignments.

a) The first will be an analysis of a current news article about Latin America which is related to the issues raised by Rigoberta Menchu. Write 1-2 pages summarizing the article and discussing its relationship to the issues or problems raised in her book Due Sep. 28

b) The second assignment will be a museum report based on the exhibits in the Mesoamerican Hall at the University Museum, University of Penn., Phila. Write a paper of two-three pages, typed, double-spaced with reasonable margins on two art objects or artifacts from the Mesoamerican exhibit and one from the River of Gold: Precolumbian Treasures from Sitio Conte exhibit. The paper should include (a) a detailed description of the objects (site, size, material, shape, etc.); how it is displayed; and (b) what the significance of the object is in Precolumbian culture. This paper will be due Dec. 3

2. There will be a midterm examination, which will be Oct. 24 and a final examination.

Class participation is expected and will count in your grade.