Discipline: Anthropology Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Anthropology 5


COURSE DESCRIPTION
5 Cultures of Ancient Mexico Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite: None.
 
The development of civilization in ancient Mexico, integrating evidence from archaeology and the prehispanic and post-Conquest written records. Emphasizes the history, lifeways, and social and religious institutions of Mexico from the earliest cultures to the Aztec civilization, and their persistence in the modern world. 54 hours lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
Development of civilization in ancient Mexico, from the earliest cultures to Aztec civilization, and their persistence in the modern world.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
None.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

Distinguish and compare the diversity of cultures and the major
sites, periods, and trends in the development of ancient Mexican
civilization.

Integrating evidence from archaeology, ethnology, and
ethnohistoric documents.

Distinguish basic characteristics of indigenous writing and calendar
systems and relate them to ancient Mexican religious and political
ideology.

Distinguish and compare major artistic styles, belief systems, and
indigenous concepts characteristic of the ancient Mexican people.

Integrate archaeological and ethnohistoric methods in uncovering
the range of cultural diversity of ancient Mexico and the
contributions of the ancient peoples to the modern world.

Assess current debates in the interpretation of ancient Mexican
artistic, religious, and historical traditions.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 
  1. Basic concepts of archaeology and anthropology as applied to the study of ancient Mexican cultures
  2. Geographical and environmental characteristics of Mexico and Mesoamerica
    1. Pleistocene hunter-gatherer cultures
    2. Biological connections to northern Asia and Pleistocene background
    3. Pre-Clovis sites
    4. Clovis culture
    5. Characteristics and interpretation of stone tools
  3. Archaic period
    1. Archaic cultures and artifacts; grinding stones
    2. Effects of agriculture and domestication on society
    3. Origins and importance of corn
    4. Development of early agriculture and sedentism in Mexico
  4.  Preclassic period
    1. Preclassic villages and artifacts: pottery, changes in society and beliefs
    2. Characteristics of civilization and the state
    3. Olmecs; origins of civilization in Mexico
    4. Late Preclassic cultures; origins of writing and the calenders
    5. Preclassic Maya: development of civilization in southern Mexico and Mesoamerica
  5. Classic period
    1. Teotihuacán and its influence on Mexico
    2. Classic period cultures in Oaxaca, Veracruz, other regions
    3. Beliefs, lifeways, the calendars, writing in the Classic period
    4. Classic Maya: sites, glyphs, society and beliefs
  6. Early Postclassic period
    1. Changes in society
    2. Toltecs and Chichen Itza
    3.  Mixtecs; codices
  7. The Aztecs
    1. Origins of Aztecs
    2. History of Aztec civilization
    3. Characteristics of society, art, beliefs
  8. The Conquest
    1. Cortes and the Spanish; history of the Conquest
    2. Aztec perspectives on the Conquest
    3. Effects of the Conquest on society in Mexico; persistence of prehispanic concepts in modern Mexico
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Class lectures, discussions, and demonstrations, in order for students to comprehend the basic concepts and frameworks used in the study of prehispanic Mexican archaeology and history
  • Audiovisual presentations, such as videos, slides, DVDs, handouts, electronic or computer-based media, and artifacts and other hands-on materials in order to illustrate and enhance course content and demonstrate application of concepts, such as the interpretation of the calendar and glyphs
  • Pair, small group, and class collaborative activities and projects using problems and/or hands-on materials, in order to allow students to apply methods of analysis used in reconstructing ancient societies, such as the interpretation of artifacts and glyphs
  • Development and assignment of essays, research projects, posters, and oral presentations, in order to allow students to apply archaeological concepts, explore ancient cultures and lifeways in more depth, and apply interpretive methodology to the study of the cultural evolution of ancient Mesoamerica
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Quizzes and examinations designed to assess mastery of course concepts, critically analyze problems, and apply key concepts
  • Individual and group assignments designed to demonstrate ability to apply methods and techniques and make reasonable inferences from evidence about the characteristics of ancient Mesoamerican society and culture change
  • Written reports, research projects, essays, posters, and oral presentations, designed to apply concepts, utilize methods and techniques, apply and assess theoretical perspectives, and make reasonable inferences from evidence about ancient Mesoamerican society and culture change
  • Final examination designed to assess mastery of the essential concepts developed in the course
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Coe, Michael and Rex Koontz. Mexico: From the Olmecs to the Aztecs. 5 ed. any: Thames and Hudson, 2002.
  • Coe, Michael. The Maya. 7 ed. any: Thames and Hudson, 2005.
  • Evans, Susan. Ancient Mexico and Central America. any: Thames and Hudson, 2004.
  • Lathrop, Jacqueline. Ancient Mexico: Cultural Traditions in the Land of the Feathered Serpent. 7 ed. any: Kendall/Hunt, 2002.
09/06
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