Course Description:
This course provides students with knowledge about Mexican culture and society to supplement their Spanish language studies. The course is also an introduction to basic ethnographic fieldwork methods, including participant observation, mapping, text collection and analysis, informal interviews. The emphasis is placed on creative development of cross-cultural skills and understanding.

Required Text:
Sam Quinones. 2001. Tales from Another Mexico: The Lynch Mob, the Popsicle Kings,
Chalino and the Bronx. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.

Films:
Mary Ellen Davis. 1996. Mexico: Dead or Alive. First Run/Icarus Films.
Judith Gleason. 1999. Chiapas: Prayer for the Weavers. Filmakers Library.
Rafael Rebollar. 1998. The Forgotten Roots. Latin American Video Archive.

Recommended Ethnographies:
Matthew C. Gutmann. 1996. The Meanings of Macho: Being a Man in Mexico City.Berkeley: University of California.
Sarah LeVine. 1993. Dolor y Alegría: Women and Social Change in Urban Mexico. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press.
Lourdes Benería and Martha Roldán. 1987. The Crossroads of Class and Gender: Industrial Homework, Subcontracting, and Household Dynamics in Mexico City. Chicago: University of Chicago.
Kathy Taylor. 1999. Through the Rearview Mirror: An Ethnographic Novel of Mexican Taxis. México, D.F.: Graphic Type de México, S.A. de C.V. (note: available in Spanish as Por el Espejo Retrovisor.)

Course Requirements:
Grades will be based on 4 components:
I. 3 one-page papers on readings: 10 points per paper x 3 = 30%
II. 3 fieldwork assignments: 10 points per assignment x 3 = 30%
III. oral presentation: 10%
IV. participation: 30%

I. Analysis of readings:
One page only, typed, double spaced, 11 point font minimum, labeled with your name, class, date. You may skip one of the assigned papers on any week of your choice.
Evaluation: I’m looking for a clear, concise statement of at least one major point in the readings and some indication that you have thought carefully about the reading and some of its implications.

II. Field work assignments:
Hand in field notes (may be hand written or drawn) and one page summary of findings (typed, double spaced, 11 point font minimum, labeled with your name, class and date). You may skip one of the assigned papers on any week of your choice.
Evaluation: I’m looking for an original idea about Mexican culture and society that you arrived at through using one of the four methods assigned: ethnographic analysis; mapping social space; text collection and analysis; informal interviewing. We will discuss fieldwork methods in class before each assignment.

III. Oral presentation
You will be expected to discuss the results of your fieldwork and reading to the class in a 10 minute oral presentation.
Evaluation: I’m looking for clear organization of material and an original synthesis of ideas from your fieldwork and reading.

IV. Class participation
Attendance and class discussion count for 30% of your grade. Be prepared to talk about the assignments of the day.

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Schedule of Classes

(Note: The schedule is subject to change.)

Week 1 Ethnographic Description: Greetings
Jun 11 Introduction

Jun 13 Quinones, Ch. 1-2
** assignment on greetings due

Week 2 Mapping Social Spaces
June 18 Quinones, Ch. 3-4
** one-page paper on readings due (from ch. 1-4)

June 20 Quinones, Ch. 5-6
** map assignment due

Week 3 Text Collection and Analysis
June 25 Quinones, Ch. 7-8
** one page paper on readings due (ch. 5-8)

June 27 Quinones, Ch. 9-10
** text assignment due

Week 4 Informal Interviewing
Jul 2 Quinones, Ch. 11-12
** one page paper on readings due (ch. 9-12)

Jul 4 Quinones, Ch. 13-14
** interview assignment due

Week 5 Issues in Analysis and Representation
Jul 9 Quinones, Ch. 15, Afterward, Appendix
** one page paper on readings due (ch. 13-Appendix)

Jul 11 Oral Presentations

Week 6
Jul 16 Oral Presentations