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OBJECTIVES
OF THE COURSE "Mexico Profundo."
Our primary objective in this course is to read and understand Guillermo
Bonfil Batalla's theory of Mexican identity as presented in his
book, Mexico Profundo, and test out some of these ideas by
means of first-hand contact in a variety of settings. Bonfil Batalla's
major thesis is that since the "conquest" in 1521, two
civilizations have co-existed in the territory called Mexico: the
Mesoamerican civilization (la civilizacion mesoamericana) and Western
civilization (la civilizacion occidental). The Western civilization,
which the author poignantly calls El Mexico imaginario, has systematically
devalued that vast majority of Mexico that represents a very different
way of life, . Despite Mexico imaginario's efforts to create a Mexico
occidental, another westernized democracy, that part of the country
which he calls El Mexico profundo has resisted, and persisted in
offering the majority of Mexicans a deeply rooted counter hegemonic
system.
In addition
to Mexican Lives we will read chapters from one of the early
controversial studies of Mexican identity, El laberinto de la
soledad, by the well-known Mexican author Octavio Paz. Any student
of Mexican culture must take this work into account whether you
like it or not, because every other writer inevitably alludes to
it.
Other
readings will include the classic novel El indio, by Gregorio
Lopez y Fuentes and selections from anthropologist Alfonso Caso
and essays by Zapatista leader, Subcomandante Marcos.
METHODOLOGY/METODOLOGIA
Upon first setting foot on Mexican
soil, I will ask us to do a lot of observing. We want to try to
understand the narrative that the dominant Mexican culture, El Mexico
imaginario, has written for itself. Everything tells this story,
this unique narrative in the making: faces, buildings, art, music,
language, relationships, literature,political structures history,
sociology. For this particular course everything we observe is a
"text."
Our work to understand this narrative requires what Milton Bennett
calls "cultural humility"--we need to keep in mind that
what our culture has taught us, is only one of many ways of interpreting
reality. To be good observers we need to minimize the interference
of our cultural filters, "humble ourselves", see as clearly
as possible what is before us to make an attempt to understand people
different from oneself.
We will
have the opportunity to read and discuss some good cultural theory.
I will ask you to read carefully, and to summarize in Spanish the
most important ideas of the section of the books and handouts we
are reading. As we develop this context of cultural theory we will
be able to evaluate what we hear and see in the many visits we have
with others throughout the program. I will ask you to write down
your observations of people, art and groups we encounter. Your first
assignment will be the 23rd of August in Mexico City in which I
will ask you to reflect on the "text" we observe in the
ZOCALO, the plaza in the heart of Mexico City--La Catedral, El Palacio
Nacional and its many Diego Rivera murals, the ex-cavated Templo
Mayor and the indigenous dancers. Your second task, on August 24,is
to observe how the National University expresses Mexico's narrative.
By midsemester you should be able to write a 10-12 page paper synthesizing
many of your observations, readings, interviews, and experiences
in the field. I hope you find this paper to be a rewarding experience.
This paper is the culminating moment of the course, Mexico Profundo,
and at this point you will be able to turn your attention more fully
to your field study.
Judith Adler Hellman's text Mexican Lives is extremely important
for developing contextual knowledge of Mexico and its historical
development. You should become very familiar with the characters
in her book. They are important representative actors in El Mexico
imaginario.
EVALUATION
Class
discussion of the ideas presented in the texts. To what extent do
you help us understand those ideas? How much do you contribute to
our processing of experiences in the field? 20%
Written
summaries of the material we read. How well have you synthesized
most important material to develop contextual understanding?
Also you will be doing small interpretative projects each week
in the field. 30%
Final
paper, 10-12 pages en espanol. The topic of this paper is Mexico
Profundo. How
well have you put together ideas from our readings, observations,
interviews and field experiences? What is your vision now of Bonfil
Batalla's theories on Mexican culture and how well do you develop
your ideas? How does the text Mexican Lives relate
to theme?50%
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