Anth 1140 The Maya
Fall 1996, Hellems 252, 9:30-10:20am T,Th. Professor: Payson Sheets,
office Hale 160, office hours 3:30 - 5 T, Th. Teaching Assistant:
Michelle Woodward.
The objective of the course is to explore the Maya of southern Mexico and
Central America, in the past and present. We will emphasize their
origins, their adaptations to varied environments, their political and
social organizations, and their religious and value systems. We will
study their artistic and intellectual accomplishments. An understanding
of the Maya world view is a key element to the course.
Week Dates Topics Readings
1 27, 29 Aug Introduction to the Maya C Foreword, ch 1
2 3, 5 Sep Hist of Maya Research C ch 2
Thurs: "Fall of the Maya" video (25 min)
3 10, 12 Sep Early Maya Origins. C ch 3
4 17, 19 Sep The Classic Pd. Sites, Archit. C ch 4
5 24, 26 Sep The Maya Elite C ch 5
6 1, 3 Oct Their History, Politics C ch 6
Thurs 3 Oct: EXAM I.
7 8, 10 Oct Classic Maya Collapse. C ch 7
8 15, 17 Oct Postclassic pd, & Spanish Conquest C ch 8
9 22, 24 Oct Ceren: Introduction, research S preface, ch 1-3
Thurs: "The Hearth" video (60 min)
10 29, 31 Ceren: Household & Special str's S ch 4-6
11 5, 7 Nov Ceren: Synthesis & Overview S ch 7 - end.
Thurs 7 Nov: EXAM II
12 12, 14 Nov The Popol Vuh
Thurs: "Popol Vuh" film (60 min)
13 19, 21 Nov The Contemporary Maya G ch 1-5
14 26 Nov The Contemporary Maya G ch 6-9
15 3, 5 Dec The Contemporary Maya G ch 10-13
16 10 Dec Overview and Review. none
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Examinations: Midterm Exam I is Thurs 3 Oct. 20% of grade.
Midterm Exam II is Thurs 7 Nov. 20% of grade.
FINAL EXAM is Tuesday 17 December, 11:30-2:30 pm, same room (35% of
grade).
No makeup examinations; you are responsible for being present.
RECITATION SECTIONS: 25% OF GRADE.
Texts: Culbert Maya Civilization Smithsonian 1993; Sheets The Ceren
Site, Harcourt Brace, 1992; and Gonzalez A MAYAN LIFE.