Overview of Mexico: from its indigenous roots, through formation of Spanish colonial society, to an independent nation-state. Cultural conflict and social change. [DCG-n.]
This course exposes students to the geographic and political reality of two nations and two cultures in constant contact and tension. It introduces the long history of conflict that has marked this region. It also highlights various acts of resistance by indigenous and immigrant populations against economic exploitation, racial discrimination and xenophobia. This course also examines the wide-ranging scholarly treatment of border histories and cultures. The course objectives include: examine the historical emergence of the region and the identities it produces; explore the cultural transformation of the region; and consider the impact of inequality. The materials used for the course introduce students to the insights of peoples who grapple with the reality of this unique region on a daily basis. This course will also focus on mass media representations of the border, in addition to scholarly, folkloric, and narrative renderings. This course includes an embedded writing workshop, accounting for the fourth hour of weekly instruction, in which students will receive instruction in the process of writing a literature review.
