February 2012 Short Course with Marina Aguirre

The Thousand-Year-Old Maya

History, Archaeology and Anthropology

With Archaeologist and Ethnohistorian Marina Aguirre

Four weeks: Tuesday, 7th February - Tuesday, 6th March, 2012

Intensive and Fascinating

In Spanish language (intermediate) - Tue. & Thur. 10:00-12:00

In English language - Tue. & Thur. 12:00-2:00  

Cost for entire course (16 hours) - $1,300 pesos

Lectures, Discussions, Stories, Myths, pre-Columbian Music, etc.

Also, taste and learn about exquisite Prehispanic and mestiza cuisine at each class!

Be surprised and delighted with a Taste of México and its thousand-year history.

The course includes written materials.

Limited space.

More information about Marina, her Spanish classes, and tours is available at her blog: http://marinaaguirre.blogspot.com/

The classes will be held at: Calle 49 #499B x 58 y 60 (across Café Chocolate)

Registration: 1/13 - 2/3 with Marina at Calle 54 #411 x 47 y 49, or call or write

Connie Burk:  924.4974 or cel. 999.189.7046   burk.connie@gmail.com

Course Objective and Topics

Course Objective: Nowadays we have access to a great quantity of interesting television programs, eloquent books and meticulous articles, all dealing with the topic of the Maya culture with different approaches. New questions arise in us as we learn of the origin and development of this civilization. It is our interest to offer to the public a space to share, in light of relevant archaeology, history and anthropology, information about one of the most emblematic cultures of all times, the MAYA. The intention of this course is to raise the most relevant aspects of the development and evolution of the Maya culture, in order to understand its importance and transcendency across time.

Topics:

1.   The Olmec culture. Tuesday, February 7

Among the contributions that have led to considering the Olmec to be the "culture mother" of Mesoamérica are: the first ceremonial buildings constructed by agreement with a well-designed plan; the social structure, capable of organizing big works; the first and definitive good artistic style, formed the same thing in small objects as in colossal sculptures.

2. The Mayan myths of the origin of the cosmos. Thursday, February 9
The cosmogonic mythology of the former Maya, contained in the indigenous books written in the colonial epoch - that narrate the creation of the universe as a cyclical process with man being central, written in hieroglyphs from the Classic period and in codices from the Postclassic.

3. The pyramids of Mexico: symbolism, functions and how they were constructed. Tuesday, February 14

These constructions are erroneously known as "pyramids", a name that also is of common use among the experts. In spite of the fact that in the beginning, they had connotations associating them with other monuments, such as those of the Egyptians, they actually shared neither form nor an essential vocation.

4. The paths, routes and ways of pre-Hispanic Mexico. Tuesday, February 21

In ancient and colonial Mexico, the transport of objects, persons and ideas between different sites, distributed in vast territories of economic, political and religious relevancy, was accomplished with routes, paths and ways. The study of these former road links is fundamental to understanding the Maya’s social development, allowing us to review multiple aspects related to cultural interaction.

5. War in Mesoamérica. Thursday, February 23
The intention of war was undoubtedly the capture of victims to serve as sacrifices, and in this sense it can be seen as a fundamental component in the indigenous cosmovision, providing the raw material necessary for a ritual vital for survival in the world. The existence of ancient cities in places of difficult access, with clearly defined defensive elements such as walls and pits, and the remains of instruments possibly used as weapons, added to a rich set of representations of warlike topics, are clear samples of the importance of the military in pre-Hispanic Mexico.

6. The cenotes in the Maya area. Tuesday, February 28

Seen as the source of a vital liquid, the cenotes had an important place in the ritual life of the Maya groups. On their shores were located temples in which rites were held, associated with rain and fertility, and to its sacred waters diverse objects were thrown. Many of them are now proving to be examples of the artistic skill of the former Maya and of the maximum offering that could be done to the gods: the human life.

­­7. Mayan Codices. Thursday, March 1
The Auto de fé de Maní occurred in 1562, when a great number of codices and idols – the primary elements that belonged to the Maya culture – were destroyed. Only three codices were rescued; they are called the Madrid, the Selden and the Paris. We will learn and understand the meaning, transcendency and importance of each.

8. The Indigenous Mayan Resistance. Tuesday, March 6
The indigenous Mayan resistance, from times of the conquest and the settling to the present day, has been evident and constant. In what ways have the Maya resisted and which have been the cultural elements that have remained across time?

Comments from February 2011 Course Participants


Marina, thank you, thank you! This course was excellent. Your knowledge of all aspects of the history and culture here are amazing. Your method of explanation is clear and concise. Your passion and enthusiasm are contagious.   -- Debbie Moore

Gracias, Marina, I really enjoyed your course. The material was extremely well organized and clearly presented. You made the course very interesting with your enthusiasm and wealth of knowledge. Thank you.  -- Norma Davies

Marina, thank you for a fascinating class. It was very interesting. You are an excellent teacher. I particularly appreciate that you speak clearly and explain concepts in terms that make the subject understandable. I was lucky to be here.   -- Sue Auerbach

This class with Marina is absolutely fantastic in every way. The subject matter of the Mayan culture is fascinating. Marina speaks Spanish so beautifully that she makes me falsely believe that I am bilingual. I have learned so very much, culturally and Spanish. Luís' Mayan food is muy rico. I highly recommend this experience. -- Tonia Kimsey

Wonderful presentation, interesting subject matter. Well worth the time. And great snacks!  

-- Susan Carson

Muy interesante de todos partes. Marina habla con un voz que es muy fácil de entender. La información sobre las estelas y otras cosas de los mayas, la historia fue más fácil de entender. Puedo recomendar a otras personas este curso. También la comida era muy buena.  

-- Katrina Joa

Thank you, Marina, for your intense studies with us. You helped to bring us nearer the Maya history and you helped with our Spanish. Luís made amazing pre-Hispanic dishes. Looking forward to another class with you. Great job.   -- Doris Huber

The "icing on the cake" was the amazing pre-hispanic food you served at every break. Luís takes food to a new and amazing height. Please let me know about your next course. I will be there!   -- Debbie Moore

I enjoyed the course, "Mexico - a Través de los Siglos". It was exciting to learn about Mayan beliefs, their amazing use of the stars and architecture to invent and use their calendar and how their calendar affects all aspects of their life. The food served by Luís and his interesting descriptions of pre-hispanic foods of the Maya were an additional bonus.  

-- Evonne von Boeck

Disfrute el curso mucho. Hace estaba una niña mi gustaró mucho archaeología y anthropología. La clase fue muy interesante y ahora yo se y yo entiendo más de la maya. Me gusta que habla lentamente y claro y puedo entender demasiado. Y la comida fue muy rico. Quiero tener uno  curso más.  -- Roberta Fertel


Marina was very well-prepared and enthusiastic. I liked having the notes beforehand so that I could read and learn more from the discussion. The botanas were wonderful. They provided another chance to learn about México and to hear Spanish spoken by another person. Thank you, Marina and Luís, for a great time this month.  -- Sarita Willson