COURSE INFORMATION ANCIENT CULTURES OF MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA

Home Page, Physical Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology, Archaeology and Prehistory, Dealing with Diversity, Indians of North America, Ancient Cultures of Mexico and Central America, Travel Studies, Faculty Page  

Ancient Cultures of Mexico and Central America will be offered in the Fall 2005 semester

EXAMINATION SCHEDULE
First Midterm: September 28
Second Midterm: November 2
Final Examination: December 12, 10:30 a.m.

 

 Anthropology 21 -Ancient Cultures of Mexico and Central America  - Fall 2005

COURSE INFORMATION SHEET

 

BASIC INFORMATION

Instructor: Josef (Sepp) Gamper, Ph.D.

Class Format: Three hours lecture.

Advisory: Eligibility for English 111.

Meeting Times: Tuesday/Thursday 11:10-12:30

Units: Three

Text: Ancient Mexico and Central America. Susan Toby Evans

 Office Location: SS-105C

Office Hours: Monday/Wednesday/Friday 10-11 and Tuesday/Thursday 9-9:30

http://www.mpcfaculty.net/sepp_gamper

This course is repeatable if a student receives a D or F.

RATIONALE FOR COURSE

The course is of direct utility to majors in anthropology, teaching, religion, history, psychology, and art. As part of the student's general education, it relates to all transfer programs.

OBJECTIVES

To expand the students' knowledge of world archaeology.

To develop a greater interest in and appreciation of the ancient cultures of Mexico and central America.

To attempt to meet some of the identity needs of minority students.

To help students better understand the cultural heritage of Mexican-Americans.

EVALUATION OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE

Students are expected to read all required materials and to seek clarification and integration of these materials. Initiative on part of the students in asking meaningful questions is also expected.

Two midterm examinations, one term paper and one final examination are scheduled. Examinations will cover lectures, class discussions, films, and all required readings. Grades will be assigned on the basis attendance, performance in the midterms, the final examination, and participation in class discussions.

CREDIT/NO CREDIT GRADE OPTION

This course may be taken for credit/no credit. Students must declare intent to earn credit/no credit and sign a credit/no credit form.

INCOMPLETE GRADE

A student may receive a grade of incomplete only if he or she has completed two thirds of the course work assigned, has a grade of C or better, and has consulted with me for our mutual approval.

ATTENDANCE

Any student who misses more than ten hours of class work will be dropped from this course regardless of academic standings in this class.

COURSE OUTLINE

Mesoamerican Geography

The Concept of Mesoamerica

The Most Ancient Mesoamericans

The Road to Civilization

The Olmecs

FIRST MIDTERM EXAMINATION

The Ancient Maya

The Historic Zapotecs

The Zapotecs of Antiquity

The Mixtecs

SECOND MIDTERM EXAMINATION

The Early Farmers

Beginnings of Civilization

The Urban Civilization if Teotihuacán

The Toltecs

The Aztecs

Economic and Social Change after the Conquest

Review and Summary

FINAL EXAMINATION

 

09/20/06