• Check In: June 30
• First Day of Class: TBA
• Last Day of Class: July 27
• Farwell Dinner: July 28
• Check Out: July 29 *New end date as of February 13, 2007

This program analyzes the historical and current situation of the Indigenous and Afro-Mexican communities of the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. Oaxaca is the state of Mexico with the highest number of indigenous peoples and ethnic groups—eighteen in all. The region is the core of Mesoamerican civilization and one of the most bio-diverse areas of the Americas. The course will explore this bio-cultural diversity with visits and field trips to archaeological sites, and to contemporary indigenous and Afro-Mexican communities of the Valley, Sierras and Coastal regions. Guest speakers and community intellectuals/artists/leaders will be invited to the course.

Other programs of similar interest:

• Reversing the Conquest in the Americas
• History of the Andean Region
• Transnational Chicano/a Studies in Argentina
  
  

Courses

This Program carries a total of 8 units. Enrolled students must take both courses listed. Auditing is not an option. UC Davis students who have already taken NAS 133 can contact summer-abroad@ucdavis.edu to enroll in the alternate courses, NAS 191:Topics in Native American Studies and NAS 198.

• Native American Studies 133 (4 units)
  Ethnohistory of Native People of Mexico and Central America
  Ethnohistorical development of pre-colonial, colonial, post-colonial Mexican and Central American indigenous people; the impact of economic and political factors on the process of cultural adaptation.  Attention is given to the questions of nation-building, forced assimilation, indigenous resistance, organized political responses..    
  GE credit: SocSci, Div.
• Native American Studies 198 (4 units)
  Directed Group Study
  GE credit: none.
  

Course Requirements

The full syllabus will be available in your Program Specific Guide. Grades will be based on the following criteria:

• 10%: In-class participation/discussions of readings, field trips, site visits, and guest speakers.
• 40%: Reaction Journal
  You are required to write a one hand-written page per day Reaction Journal Monday through Friday, during the four weeks of the course. The Journal should include reactions to and reflections on visits of sites, museums, markets, villages, local events, social gatherings, tours you take, people you meet, etc.
• 50%: Research Paper or Research Project
  You must have chosen a research or project theme. The Research Paper can be the conventional type of term paper based on literature review, interviews, and observations. The length of the paper should be between 6 and 8 pages plus references. The Research Project can have different formats such as: photographic essay, video essay, audio essay, testimonial interviews, arts and crafts analysis, surveys of medicinal plants, etc.

Required Texts

• Course Reader (provided by Summer Abroad)
• Lonely Planet Guide Mexico (Provided by Summer Abroad)

Field Trips and Activities - subject to change

• Museo Regional de Antropología
• Monte Alban
• Mitla
• Zapotec town of Tlacolula
• Jardín Botánico
• Coastal Region of Oaxaca (Puerto Escondido, Manialtepec, Chacahua and Chatino, Mixtec, and Afro Mexican communities
• Oaxaca Central Market
• Guelaguetza, indigenous music and dance festival

Accommodations

You will have a choice of staying in a posada or, if you speak Spanish, participating in a homestay experience. Space is limited for each accommodation option. Accommodation will be assigned on a first- come, first-served basis.

Posada de Los Angeles
The Posada de Los Angeles is a rustic hotel. It is two blocks from the classroom location. You will have a double occupancy room. Each room has a private bathroom and a small kitchenette. There is a common terrace area with a microwave and television.

Homestay with a Oaxacan Family
You will be matched with a local family. The homestay option is ideal for students who wish to improve or practice their Spanish (any level). The Instituto Cultural Oaxaca says that with the homestay option "you get to practice your Spanish every day in a safe and caring environment, as well as get the 'real deal' view of Mexican life.

• Notes about homestay (provided by Instituto Cultural Oaxaca):
  • A homestay provides the option to be a part of a middle to upper-class Oaxacan family, really live in the culture and see how family life functions.
• You have the guarantee to practice your Spanish outside of the classroom every day, which may not happen if you live only with American students.
• Families have been receiving students for 10+ years and they are experienced in hosting foreign students from all over the world.
• All homes are within walking distance from the Institute and the zócalo, the town’s center.
• Special things to keep in mind about homestay (provided by Instituto Cultural Oaxaca)
  • Your Oaxacan hosts will adjust to you. You can participate as much or as little as you want in the family.
  • The family will not give you rules or a curfew. The only thing that the family wants to know is if you will not be returning to sleep at the home or around what time you will be back home so they do not worry about you. Most of them are parents too!

Meals

Fees