Modern
Mexico
History 438/538
Dale Graden
Fall 2002
T,Th 12:30-1:45
Admin 204
Office: Admin 305 A; telephone: 885-8956
Office hour: Thursday 2-3 or by appointment
Email: Graden@uidaho.edu
Online: www.class.uidaho.edu/Graden/
This syllabus is available online
Modern Mexico has one of the most
interesting and complex histories of any region on the planet. A jewel in
Spain's empire (1492-1898) until gaining independence in 1824, Mexico plunged
into factional political struggles and economic disarray until the late 19th
century. Strong man rule under Porfirio Diaz (1876-1911) created domestic
stability necessary to attract foreign investors, mainly from the US. The Diaz
regime also created social and economic conditions that led to the Mexican
Revolution (1910-1920), a cataclysm that continues to have an impact upon the
Americas. In its wake, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) gained
political and economic control of the nation, remaining in power longer than any
other regime in the 20th century (1929-2000).
There are "Many Mexicos" ranging from the wealthy southern state of
Chiapas to Mexico City to a northern region best described as the nation of
Mexamerica. With a population of one hundred million persons, Mexico's Indian
population is estimated at between 3 million and 25 million individuals,
depending upon your source.
This course examines some of the major events, individuals and interpretations
tied to the history of Modern Mexico.
Three (3) typewritten papers of three to four (3-4) pages are to be submitted
during the semester. Everyone is to write on Kettenmann, Frida Kahlo, and this
first paper is due on October one. Then you can select two other readings upon
which to write an essay. These essays/critiques are not book reports where you tell me
what the author has written.
The three critiques of 3-4 pages are
assigned to help you to learn how to write effectively and to ensure that you
come to the specific discussion meeting prepared to talk about your ideas and
interpretations. These essays should address some theme(s) which you consider
relevant from the assigned reading. The short paper is not a “book report.”
Rather, it is a critique of the book that you have read. I want to read about
your ideas and observations and critical analysis, and not an overview of what
the author has written. Show me that you have read and thought about the book.
According to the law of effective writing, the paper should begin with an
introduction, and the last sentence of the introductory paragraph should inform
the reader (me) of the central theme or focus of the critique. Then construct
coherent paragraphs that analyze in a logical manner the topic. Finally, finish
with a conclusion.
Please, write the paper a few days before the due date, so that you can return
to it and review it thoroughly at least once before you hand it to me. This will
enable you to make corrections and refinements. I have read hundreds of these
short papers, and know when someone has scribbled down a bunch of ideas the
night before and when the assignment has been approached seriously. I believe
that these short papers are important. And you have asked why? Because the
majority of students graduate from universities and colleges across the land
unable to write 3-4 coherent pages on a specific topic or reading. I hope that
you find the readings challenging and stimulating. In other words, I hope that
the books I have chosen make you feel like you want to take pen (computer,
typewriter) in hand to write down your ideas. The discussion offers a great
opportunity for you to share with the class your ideas, impressions, sentiments,
worldview, etc. I am convinced that we all have much to gain by engaging in a
reasoned and critical dialogue with each other, no matter if you agree or
disagree with the viewpoint of other persons. Many former students have let me
know that they considered these writing opportunities an important part of their
university education. Late papers will not be accepted. You are welcome to write
as many papers as you like, and such initiatives will be considered in my final
evaluation of your participation in this course. Also, I encourage you to take
advantage of the great opportunities that are available to you at the UI writing
center.
If you are taking the course for graduate
credit, I request that you write a five to ten (5-10) page essay on a topic of
your choice. Please meet with me at your earliest convenience to discuss the
paper.
Please attend the class. If you miss more than five class meetings, your final
evaluation will drop by one grade.
The following books are available at the UI Bookstore and on reserve in the UI library.
Isabel Alcantara et al., Frida Kahlo and Diego Riveira (Pegasus
Library-Paperback; isbn 3791325590
Carlos Fuentes, A New Time for Mexico
Tom Hayden, ed., The Zapatista Reader
Zaragosa Vargas, ed., Major Problems in Mexican American History
Sandra Cisneros, The House on Mango Street
A copy of the film "Traffic" is on reserve in the library and is available for rental in local stores. I request that everyone watch this
film at your convenience during the semester, ideally before November 19.
Please note that Meyer, Sherman, Deeds, The Course of Mexican History
(6th edition) is also on reserve in the library. This is a readable and helpful
overview of the major contours of the history of Mexico.
Week One Introduction
August 27 Indigenous cultures in the Americas in the 15th century
Aug 29 international empires; the arrival of
Spaniards
Week Two New
Spain
September 3 mining and haciendas in the 18th century
On Tuesday, September 3, 2002, Consul General of Mexico, Lic.
Martin Torres will:
-- officially open "Grafica Actual", an exhibition of modern art, at
the Commons at 11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (refreshments provided)
-- and give a public address on U.S.-Mexico relations in the Courtroom at the
College of Law at 5:30 p.m.
Sept 5 Guest speaker Jan Salisbury
Sept 12 19th Century Mexico: The Poverty of Progress
Conclude The Mexican Revolution
film "Pancho Villa and Other Stories" (40m)
Sept 19 discussion: A Rebellion or a
Revolution
On this Thursday afternoon, the 19th, everyone is invited
to a free private showing of Sherman Alexie's new film "The Business of
Fancydancing". Sherman Alexie will be present to discuss the film.
3 pm at the Kenworthy Theater on Main Street in Moscow.
Week Five Frida and the muralists
Sept 26 Rivera, Orozco, Siqueiros
film "Frescoes of Diego Rivera" (35m)
Week Six Mexico in the 1940s
Oct 1 the 1940s
Oct 3 discussion of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera and required paper number one is due
Week Seven Legacies of the Revolution in the 20th century
Reviews of several novels by Carlos Fuentes
from the New York Times Book Review
http://www.nytimes.com/books/97/10/26/home/fuentes.html
Oct 8 film "Carlos Fuentes interview" (28m)
Oct 10 The Revolutionary Institutional Party
(PRI, 1929-2000) and its legacies
Week Eight Zapatistas
Begin Hayden, The Zapatista Reader, particularly 1-7, 33-45, 76-103, 146-52.
Oct 15 discussion of Fuentes and optional book critique number two is due
Oct 17 Emiliano Zapata
film "The Last Zapatista"
(30m)
Week Nine Zapatistas
Conclude Hayden, The Zapatista Reader, particularly 373-81, 418-51
Oct 22 Environment and resources in Chiapas
24 Perspectives from Rage Against the
Machine
film "Zapatista" (54m)
Week Ten NAFTA (1994),
the end of PRI
(2000) and women
Oct 29 Resistance and the Internet
discussion of Hayden The Zapatista Reader and optional
paper number three is due
Oct 31
discussion of the three articles below and optional paper number four is due
Marta Lamas, "Scenes from a Mexican Battlefield," NACLA: Report on the
Americas
31:4 (Jan/Feb 1998), 17-21, on reserve
Marta Lamas, "Standing Fast in Mexico: Protecting Women's Rights in a
Hostile Climate," NACLA: Report on the Americas 34:5 (March/April 2001),
36-40, on reserve
Debbie Nathan, "Work, Sex and Danger in Ciudad Juarez," NACLA: Report
on the Americas 33:3 (Nov/Dec 1999), 24-30, on reserve
Suggested reading: Essay on 325 dead women in Ciudad Juarez from Salon.com,
"Day of the Dead," 4 December 2002 at www.salon.com
Week Eleven Mexamerica I : 1848 and legacies
Readings from Vargas, Major Problems in Mexican American History, 167-82; 194-202
Nov 5 US universities and Latin American
politicians
film "Frontline: Murder, Money
and Mexico" (60m)
Nov 7 The Mexican-American War and legacies
Recommended is Henry David Thoreau, "Resistance to Civil Government; or Civil Disobedience" on line at: http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/transcendentalism/authors/thoreau/civil/
Week Twelve The movement of Mexicans north and south during the Mexican Revolution and during the 20th century
Readings from Major Problems, 254-71;
285-94; 316-23.
Please note: If you prefer to read from other sources with regards to Mexamerica
and then write a critique, you are welcome to do so. Please let me know what
your choice.
Nov 12 film "I am Joaquim" (22m) and discussion
Nov 14 film "Frontline: Go Back to
Mexico!" (58m)
Week Thirteen Mexamerica II : The 20th and 21st centuries
Readings from Major Problems, 363-75;
466-82
Nov 19 Guest presentation by Raul Sanchez, special assistant to the president
(of UI) for diversity and human rights
Nov 21 discussion of readings from Major
Problems and optional
paper number five is due
See series of articles on Mexico published in the Washington Post at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3042-2002Nov17.html
Thanksgiving
Week Fourteen Chicago and other Mexican American Cities
Read Cisneros, The House on Mango Street
Dec 3 Mexican and Latino Voices
Dec 5 discussion of Cisneros The House on Mango Street and optional paper number six is due
Week Fifteen Mexico in Transition
Read Revista: Harvard Review of Latin America (fall 2001) “Mexico in Transition” Online at: http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~drclas/publications/revista.html
Dec 10 Many Mexicos
Dec 12 discussion of Revista readings and optional paper number seven is due
Some recommended readings
Texts
William H. Beezley and Colin M. MacLachlan, El
Gran Pueblo: A History of Greater Mexico
Ramón Eduardo Ruiz, Triumphs and Tragedies: A History of the Mexican
People
Enrique Krauze, Mexico: Biography of Power; A History of Modern Mexico,
1810-1996
Michael C. Meyer and William H. Beezley, The Oxford History of Mexico
Michael C. Meyer, William L. Sherman, Susan M. Deeds, The Course of
Mexican History, sixth edition
Independence 1810-1825
Hugh Hamill, The Hidalgo Revolt
Jay Kinsbruner, Independence in Spanish America: Civil Wars, Revolutions
and Underdevelopment
Christian I. Archer, ed., The Wars of Independence in Spanish America
Carlos Fuentes, The Campaign
Gabriel Garcia Marques, The General in His Labyrinth
Mexico’s Revolution 1910-1920
Ramón Eduardo Ruíz, The Great
Rebellion: Mexico 1905-1924
John Mason Hart, Revolutionary Mexico: The Coming and Process of the
Mexican Revolution
John Mason Hart, Empire and Revolution: The Americans in Mexico Since the
Civil War
John Womack, Jr., Zapata and the Mexican Revolution
Michael Gonzales, The Mexican Revolution
Adofo Gilly, The Mexican Revolution
Paul Garner, Porfirio Díaz: Profiles in Power
Carlos Fuentes, The Death of Artemio Cruz
The Muralists
Bertram D. Wolfe, The Fabulous Life of Diego Rivera
Antony W. Lee, Painting on the Left: Diego Rivera, Radical Politics and
San Francisco’s Public Murals
Linda Bank Downs, Diego Rivera: The Detroit Industry Murals
Desmond Rochfort, Mexican Muralists: Orozco, Rivera, Siqueiros
Patrick Marnham and Elise Goodman, Dreaming with his Eyes Open: A Life of
Diego Rivera
Susan Platt, Art and Politics in the 1930s: Modernism, Marxism,
Americanism; A History of Cultural Activism During the Depression Years
Laurance P. Hurlburt, The Mexican Muralists in the United States
Zapatistas, 1994 to present
Tom Hayden, ed., The Zapatista Reader
George A. Collier and Elizabeth Lowerty Quaratiello, Basta! Land and the
Zapatista Rebellion in Chiapas
John Womack, Jr., Rebellion in Chiapas: An Historical Reader
Neil Harvey, The Chiapas Rebellion: The Struggle for Land and Democracy
Subcommandante Marcos et.al., Our Word is Our Weapon: Selected Writings
Border and Mexamerica
Lucy R. Lippard et.al., Distant
Relations: Chicano, Irish, Mexican Art and Critical Writings
John Mason Hart, ed., Border Crossings: Mexican and Mexican-American
Workers
Oscar J. Martínez, ed., US-Mexico Borderlands: Historical and
Contemporary Perspectives
David G. Gutiérrez, ed., Between Two Worlds: Mexican Immigrants in the
United States
Richard W. Etulain, ed., César Chávez: A Brief Biography with Documents
Rodolfo Acuña, Occupied America: A History of Chicanos
Zaragosa Vargas, ed., Major Problems in Mexican American History
Richard Rodriguez, Hunger of Memory: The Education of Richard Rodriguez
Richard Rodriguez, Brown: The Last Discovery of America
Sandra Cisneros, The House on Mango Street
Sandra Cisneros, Caramelo
T.C. Boyle, The Tortilla Curtain
Bobby Byrd and Susannah Mississippi Byrd, eds., The Late Great Mexican
Border: Reports from a Disappearing Line
Gloria Anzaldua, Borderlands: La Frontiera
Coco Fusco, The Bodies That Were Not Ours
Lucy R. Lippard et.al., Distant Relations: Chicano, Irish, Mexican Art
and Critical Writing