THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY

FACULTY OF COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE

LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES (LAST) 303 L27

LATIN AMERICAN FIELD RESEARCH STUDY

SPRING ~ 2008

HELD IN CD. GUZMAN, JALISCO, MEXICO

 

 

    Instructor:                         Savannah Stannard-Seda

    Office/Phone number:      N/A

    E-Mail:                               savannahrs@hotmail.com

    Office Hours:                     by appointment

    COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course involves an interdisciplinary analysis of contemporary Mexico.  Integrating observations and experiences of the students during the field experience, with scholarly readings will provide the basis of this introduction to life in a Latin American Cultural context.

Readings and discussions will cover topics relating to the prehistory, archaeology, history, and present day cultures of Mexico, including economic, political and social issues. Evaluation will be based on student's participation in class discussions, analysis of the readings and of lectures by invited specialists (including films, museums visits, and so on), and a brief empirical research paper on an approved theme.

 

 

    OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE

1.  Introduce the students to the key moments in the history, archaeology and contemporary affairs of Mexico based on first-hand experience.

2.  Provide the students with critical framework of the major issues of Mexico, through the use of assigned readings and class discussions to "deconstruct" daily observations and experiences.

3.  Use this first-hand experience in Mexico as a basis for inter-regional comparison and understanding of the situation of other Latin Americans and Latin American countries.

 

 

     TEXTBOOKS/READINGS

     The readings package was made available to students at the information meeting about the 

    Field School trip.

 

ASSIGNMENTS AND EVALUATION

   1. In class participation                                                        10%

   2. Research Journal                                                                      10%

   3. Quizzes (2 @ 5% each)                                                10%

   4. Presentation/discussion of assigned readings in class    10%

   5. Research project (on approved theme)

• Class presentation 25%
• Written paper 35%

                                                                                              100%

 

 

At the discretion of the instructor, assignments submitted after the deadline may be penalized with the loss of a grade (example: A- to B+) for each day late.

 

 

    The Faculty of Communication and Culture uses the following equivalencies in its grading system:

 

 

             A    92 - 100                      C+   65 - 70

             A-   86 - 91                        C     62 - 64

             B+   81 - 85                       C-    59 - 61

             B     77 - 80                       D+   55 - 58

             B-    71 - 76                       D     50 - 54

                                                       F       0 - 49

 

" The Mexicans: An Inside View of a Changing Society "

by Paula R. Heusinkveld

    * Introduction : ~Reasons for Negative Stereotypes.

                                ~ More Cultural Misunderstandings.

    * A Mestizo Nation.                                     * The Art of Manners.    

    * Working and Living.                                 * Mi casa es su casa.

    * Business as usual.                                  * Meal Time.

    * Dress and Appearance.                           * Leisure Time.

    * Mexican Time and American Time         * Holidays.

    * Art and Music.

 

" Western March Guadalajara "

   * The Land.

   * The Dwellings.

   * The Dwellers

   * Tapatío time travel.

   * The Architects of Melancholy 1810.

   *  My Lost Guadalajara.

  

   *  The Weaving of Guadalajara's Society.

   * Orozco's Gudalajara.

   * Gudalajara to the four winds

         City Center : ~ The Cathedral

                                ~ Stucco and Stone

                                ~ The two of Cups and other Plazas

                                ~ The museum

                                ~ Degollado Theater

         Eastward

         Northward

         Southward

         Westward

 

" Jalisco, Tequila's Landscape "

   * Introduction: That's Jalisco.

   ~ Kings and Apostles

   ~ Laurels in the Sun

   * Itinerary of Water : The Sweet Water of Chapala and Cajititlán.

   * Itinerary of Stone: Journey Through a Heritage: Caxcana

   * Red Earth: Los Altos.

   * Itinerary of Agave : The Blue Landscape of Tequila.

   * Itinerary of Earth: The Sierra of Jalisco

   * The Other Jalisco

   * The South Jalisco