Course Description
Multidisciplinary study of the history, culture, and politics of Mexico. Though the focus is on understanding Mexico, the course incorporates a transnational perspective through an appreciation of the politics and effects of globalization and Mexico-U.S. relations. Materials include scholarly texts and traditional and new media.
Athena Title
Multidisc Mexican Studies
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in LACS 2040
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
- Be familiarized with the basics of social science disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, and geography and the insights they can offer about Mexico and its transnational connections - Be introduced to the history, demographics, and geography of Mexico - Develop an understanding of state-society relations in contemporary Mexico - Develop an understanding of the linked histories, politics, and cultures of the U.S. and Mexico - Appreciate the richness and complexity of Mexican popular culture - Cultivate an appreciation for interdisciplinary studies - Practice critical thinking and analysis skills - Apply a variety of theoretical and methodological paradigms to timely issues affecting Mexican politics - Read and understand texts like webpages, music, and academic articles in Spanish - Discuss transnational Mexican history, politics, and culture in conversational Spanish in a seminar setting - Write short essays in Spanish analyzing texts written in the language
Topical Outline
• Abbreviated History of Mexico • Mestizaje, Race, and Indigenous Politics • The Making of the Modern Mexican State • Civil Society and Democratization • Globalization: Film, Food, Folk, and Popular Culture • Environment, Natural Resources, and Development • Mexico-U.S. Relations: Flows and Frictions
General Education Core
CORE IV: World Languages and Global Culture