Mexico: After Canada, Mexico is the United States’ most important
trading partner in terms of exports and imports; After Tokyo, Mexico
City is the biggest city in the world with more than 18 million
people; Mexico ranks #eleven in the most populated countries in the
world; Before the Spanish came to the New World, Mexico had three of
the world’s greatest civilizations--the Maya, the Aztec, and the
Zapotec, a population of about 25 million living in cities and rural
areas, with trade networks that connected the entire country, arts,
astronomy and mathematics, a complex calendrical system, religions and
a priesthood, sophisticated laws, courts and judges; Mexico’s
indigenous population today is 11% of the m total and represents some
60 different groups.

Behind these facts, lie the stories of Mexico’s people--who they are,
what they do, what their dreams are.  We will learn about the lives of
Mexicans living in the second largest city in the world.  We will
follow the story of the Zapatistas as they seek justice and land and
we will look at similar movements of resistance and strategies for
political reform.  The old stories of indigenous belief, art, and
survival will teach us about Mexico’s indigenous peoples.  Individual
stories of emigrating to El Norte will help us understand better the
realities of immigration and its effect on people of both countries.
Stories of ingenuity and imagination, of change and continuity, of
family and community, of becoming an active partner in globalization
while recognizing ancient roots--these are the paradoxes of
contemporary Mexico.

Course requirements will include:
*a short paper (6-8 pages) based on an observation of one of the
several Mexico-related events and holidays during the semester.
*an essay/short-answer midterm examination.
*class participation
*a final take-home essay

Course readings include the following:

Basta! Land and the Zapatista Rebellion in Chiapas.  1999.  George
Collier with Elizabeth Lowery Quaratiello.
Flowers and Ash: Cora History, Politics, and Violence. 2004. Philip Coyle.
Mexican Lives. 1994. Judith Adler Hellman.
Migration, Mujercitas, and Medicine Men.  2002.  Valentina Napolitano.
Crazy February. 1982.  Carter Wilson.
Sons of the Shaking Earth: The People of Mexico and Guatemala--Their
Land, History, and Culture. 1959.  Eric Wolf.