ANRG 106 Ancient Mesoamerica: Highland Mexico

UCSD Summer Session
September 6-21, 2007

Study abroad in highland Mexico! This course examines the ancient
cities, art, and history of several of the greatest civilizations of
the ancient Americas. During the 16 days of the course, we will visit
22 archaeological sites and seven museums that highlight all aspects
of Mesoamerican culture. Highlights include visits to seldom-seen
Olmec and Zapotec sites, a day at Teotihuacan (the greatest of all
Mesoamerican cities), and tours of precolumbian cities such as
Cantona, Xochicalco, Cacaxtla, Monte Alban, El Tajin, Mitla, Tula, and
the Aztec Templo Mayor. The course ends with a full day at the
National Museum of Anthropology, perhaps the greatest museum of its
sort in the world. Along the way, visit beautiful colonial cities
(Oaxaca, Cuernavaca, Puebla, Taxco, and Mexico City), see famous
murals by Diego Rivera, enjoy fabulous Mexican food, and learn about
the rich history of a close neighbor of the U.S.A. 

The goal of this course is for students to gain an understanding of
Mesoamerican archaeology and art history beginning with the arrival of
the first inhabitants of the New World more than 11,000 years ago and
until the early 16th century A.D. This is accomplished through direct
experience-visiting ancient ruins and studying art with a professor
who has worked in Mesoamerica for more than 20 years. Join us!

Full Itinerary:

September 6: Arrive at Villahermosa, enjoy an introductory dinner (Night: Villahermosa)
September 7: La Venta Park Museum, La Venta, San Lorenzo (Night: Acayucan)
September 8: Cempoala, Quiahuitzlan (Night: Tecolutla on the Emerald Coast)
September 9: El Tajin (Night: San Juan Teotihuacan)
September 10: Teotihuacan, Museo Amparo (Night: Puebla)
September 11: Cantona, Cacaxtla, Puebla Regional Museum (time allowing) (Night: Puebla)
September 12: Tehuacan Museum, San Jose Mogote, Oaxaca Museum (Night: Oaxaca)*
September 13: Monte Alban, Zaachila, Rufino Tamayo Museum (Night: Oaxaca)*
September 14: Mitla, Yagul, Lambityeco, Dainzu (Night: Oaxaca)*
September 15: Cholula, Chalcatzingo (Night: Cuernavaca)
September 16: Teopantecuanitlan and Acapulco (Night: Acapulco)
September 17: Acapulco, city of Taxco, & Cortes' Palace Museum (Noche: Cuernavaca)
September 18: Xochicalco, Malinalco (Night: Mexico City)
September 19: Tula, Templo Mayor (Night: Mexico City)
September 20: National Museum of Anthropology (Night: Mexico City)
September 21: Leave for U.S.A.

*Note: Recent unrest in Oaxaca should be resolved before our trip. If,
however, conditions prohibit a safe journey to this region, we will
visit the beautiful land of the Tarascan empire instead. In the state
of Michoacan, we will see sites such as Tzintzuntzan and Ihuatzio,
three museums, the Monarch Butterfly Reserve, and the spectacular
Matlatzinca city of Teotenango. We will also visit beautiful Lake
Patzcuaro and stay in the colonial city of Morelia. A decision will be
made regarding this leg of the journey about three months before the
course.

Costs: University tuition (at either UC student, UC graduate student,
or non-UC rate) for four units, Summer Session registration fees, and
$1990 in course fees. Your course fees will cover all ground
transportation in Mexico in a private van, entrance to sites and
museums, hotels, breakfasts and lunches, and an introductory and
farewell dinner. Course fees do not cover airfare.

Students: Anyone of legal age, including UC undergraduate and graduate
students, students of other colleges and universities, and non-
students may apply.

Applications: If you are interested in applying, please
contact Dr. Geoffrey E. Braswell: 

	gbraswel@ucsd.edu

Slide Show and Additional Information: Please click on the website
link to see a slide show prepared for the course.