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374-GLYPHS Syll 2013

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374-GLYPHS Syll 2013 University of Texas at Austin Spring 2013 Study Abroad in Antigua, Guatemala Ancient Maya Writing and History ANT 324L / ARH 370/ LAS 327 Astrid Runggaldier Office hours: CH Thursdays 2-4 pm or by appointment Syllabus Course Overview. This course introduces students to Maya hieroglyphic writing, and how the decipherment of texts has led to new understandings of ancient Maya culture, society and history. The class aims to provide the student with a good working knowledge of the ancient Maya script, the language(s) in which it was written, and the history and methodology underlying the process of decipherment. No previous knowledge of Maya glyphs is necessary, but I do assume at least a basic awareness of Maya archaeology and its key points. Maya glyphs might well be considered the single most complex writing system ever devised. With its built-in capacity for exhibiting scribal artistry and idiosyncrasy, the Maya writing system’s inherent complexity has no equal among ancient or modern scripts. We will devote much time in the first half of the course describing the basic orthographic rules of the script, and from there slowly enter into more linguistically and historically oriented topics. Each meeting will be devoted to a particular theme or topic (Mayan Linguistics, Calendars, Politics, etc.). We will approach Maya writing through numerous case studies, drawn from texts found throughout the Maya area, and these will naturally progress during the term from the very simple to the moderately complex. In addition to the remarkable ruins at Copan, Honduras, we will focus on Maya writing during in-class study, at Guatemala’s Museo Nacional de Antropología e Historia, and we will have special opportunities to learn about and directly examine Maya art and writing, sometimes in original context. Lectures. Lectures will meet four days of the week (Monday through Thursday 9:00-10:30) and will be heavy on visuals and class exercises, which will form the core intellectual content of the class. Regular attendance is required and assumed. Participation is expected in all classes. Some lectures will include films: these are mandatory and constitute part of the course content. Field Trips This class will involve two field excursions during the second half of the semester, in addition to the excursions for Sacred Landscapes (exact dates to be confirmed). There will be (1) a visit to the Museo Nacional de Arqueología y Etnología; and (2) a visit to the Museo Ixchel del Traje Indígena, both in Guatemala City. Readings. Readings are from two required texts: Reading the Maya Glyphs, by Michael D. Coe and Mark Van Stone. 2nd Edition. Thames and Hudson, 2005. Chronicle of The Maya Kings and Queens, by Simon Martin and Nikolai Grube. 2nd Edition. Thames and Hudson, 2008. In addition, various handouts will be on the Blackboard system. Written assignments. In addition to glyph exercises in class and based on museum visits, one final paper, 5-6 pages in length, will be required for this class. A good grade will result from good clear writing and presentation. The content of your essays will rely heavily on readings as well as the contents of the lectures and the field trips. You are expected to digest the content of readings and lectures and express your thoughts critically and analytically – do not simply regurgitate facts and ideas. Remember that citing your sources is always key. Basic guidelines for written work are included in your reader and apply to all four Study Abroad courses. The library at CIRMA and at the Cooperación Española will be available for you for source materials beyond required course texts. Quiz. A short quiz will focus on the history of decipherment and basic glyph readings covered in class. Grading breakdown. Quiz (15%); Overall class participation (20%); class glyph exercises (40%); Final paper (25%). Schedule of Lecture Topics WEEK I (VII) M: Ancient writing systems and decipherment T: Mesoamerican writing and visual systems W: The history of Maya decipherment I Th: The history of Maya decipherment II (Sa: day trip to Iximche, lecture by Dr. Ernesto Arredondo) WEEK II (VIII) M: The Maya script T: Signs and syllables W: No class (visit to Museo Popol Vuh for Landscapes class) Th: The calendar system I F: The calendar system II (special Friday meeting to make up for Wednesday) (free weekend) WEEK III (IX) M: The process of illustration (visit to Museo Nacional de Arqueología y Etnología) T: Iconography and symbolism, guest speaker Karl Taube W: Iconography and symbolism, guest speaker Karl Taube Th: Cofradía workshop on alfombra making (F-Sa: day trip to Museo Ixchel del Traje Indígena, backstrap loom weaving) WEEK IV (X) SEMANA SANTA alfombra-making M: design workshop for alfombra T: materials preparation for alfombra I W: materials preparation for alfombra II Th: making of the alfombra and participation in processions (F, Sa, Su: Easter processions) WEEK V (XI) M: Visual exercise and personal names (Palenque inscriptions) T: Case studies on verbs and emblem glyphs (Piedras Negras and Yaxchilan) W: Case studies on politics and history (Tikal) Th: Case studies on politics and time (La Corona, lecture by Tomás Barrientos) (free weekend – work on papers) WEEK VI (XII) M: Writing on bones, lecture by Sarah Newman (QUIZ) T: Glyphs and the contemporary Maya W: class discussion and wrap-up Th: FINAL PAPER DUE .
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