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LA 119 Maymester Seminar Guatemala and Belize Dr. David LA 119 Maymester Seminar Guatemala And Belize Dr. David Stuart, Department of Art and Art History Dr. Stuart’s Office Office Hours email ART 1.412B (Mesoamerica Center) T 1:00-2:30 PM [email protected] Class Times: Tuesdays 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM in ART 2.208 Class meets eight times on the Following dates: January 29, February 12, February 26, March 12, March 26, April 9, April 23, and May 7 Topic Description: Maya civilization emerged on the scene over 3,000 years ago within what is today southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador. The Maya soon developed one of the great civilizations of the ancient world, well known for its impressive ruins, temple pyramids and palaces, stone sculptures, and elaborate hieroglyphic writing system. The Maya experienced profound changes and disruptions throughout their history and development, including the so-called “collapse” of many cities around 800-900 AD. The arrival of the Spanish in the sixteenth century and the British in the 18th century then brought near destruction to their world, but Maya peoples emerged resilient in the wake of conquest in what are now the modern nations of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. Today six million strong, the modern Maya continue to express their cultural identity in the art and politics of modern Mexico and Central America. Their cultural legacy has left its mark on northern Central America in many ways, and the tortured indigenous history of the region continues to shape the politics of our own time. Course Objectives: This class prepares students on the history of the Maya of Guatemala and Belize, spanning the Pre-Columbian, Colonial, and modern times, and provides the literature and visual culture background for the Maymester study abroad course on Maya Art and Architecture (ARH 347M) taking place in Guatemala and Belize. The class offers an interdisciplinary overview of Maya civilization and culture, spanning thousands of years and examining how the Maya developed their world in ancient times and how Maya people of more recent times still adapt to a changing global setting. Throughout the course students will explore possible themes for their research project for the Maymester, and will compile a proposal with an annotated bibliography by the end of the semester. Course Requirements: You are required to attend the lectures, watch the films, participate in the course exercises, complete the assigned readings and maintain a journal of research possibilities. At the end of the semester research proposals will be turned in (April 17) and revised by the last day of class (May 1). Grading: Grades are based on the following: 1. Attendance and Participation 10% 2. Class exercises 20% 3. Readings journal 20% 4. Proposal and annotated bibliography 40% 5. Revised proposal 10% Required Textbooks and Other Readings: There is one required textbooks for the class: Mary Ellen Miller and Megan O’Neil, Maya Art and Architecture, 2nd edition. Thames & Hudson, 2014. Additional assigned readings are available on Canvas. Schedule of Meetings Please Note: Readings will be added from time to time and not indicated here. Always check “announcements” on Canvas and also for updated version of this syllabus. January 29 Introductions; The Maya, Guatemala and Belize February 12 Pre-Departure Orientation Part I Finish Reading Chapters 1 and 2 of Miller and O’Neil February 26 Looking at the Ancient Maya; Film: Breaking the Maya Code Finish chapters 3 and 4 in Miller and O’Neil; Roberts article March 12 Collapse and Environment, and Culture: Bridging Sciences and Humanities in the Maya World Finish Chapter 10 in Miller and O’Neil; Finish Douglas, et. al., article; Finish Canuto, et. al., article; Journal entries due March 26 Pre-Departure Orientation Part II; Project Planning Prepare project ideas and research bibliography; Glyph exercise due April 9 Colonial Experiences and “Cultural Legacy”? Looking at the Past in the Present; FILM Balancing the Cosmos Turn in research project ideas and bibliography; Finish Carlsen and Prechtel article April 23 (may need to be rescheduled one week beFore or aFter) War, Indigeneity, and Migration May 7 Wrap-up and Discussions .
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