**This class will be taught as a Hybrid. This section of the class will be In-Person**
Embark on an odyssey through ancient Mesoamerica, where its art reveals fascinating origin myths, incredible artistic skill, and profound worldviews. As we travel through the underworld, we encounter celestial entities and transformative shamanic powers that transcend time and cross spiritual boundaries. Prepare to be inspired by the legacy of Mesoamerica as we travel from the stunning Mayan temples to the monumental sculptures of the Olmec and Zapotec cultures before meeting with the ever influential Teotihuacan society. Join us on an adventure towards the enduring testament of the human spirit of creativity, connecting a vibrant tapestry of ancient beliefs, languages, and traditions.
Week by Week Outline
Week 1. Introducing the Popol Vuh, the sacred “Mayan Bible” that will open our world and connect us to an ancient past through the spiritual realm. This text will act as a companion to introducing and exploring artworks.
Week 2. Enter the Mayan underworld that shows us how today's geological formations have shaped ancient understandings of the celestial realm. Examine symbolism in visual art and oral traditions that continue exerting force on our world today.
Week 3. The mother culture of Mesoamerica, the Olmec, will connect us to the deep history of ideas long associated with the Maya, present a wider angle of origin myths crossing cultural boundaries, and introduce us to a phenomenal "recycling" of art.
Week 4. Examine the beginning of Mesoamerican time through the Zapotec culture's incredible art and architectural structures that offer an early insight into celestial bodies instructing early American architects.
Week 5. Explore the fascinating murals and multicultural city of Teotihuacan near today's Mexico City that will leave us with questions, mysteries, and new theories based on recent research that suggest the complex cultural crossroads of Mesoamerica converged here.
Week 6. Examine the temples and monumental pyramids with hidden tombs of Mesoamerica that offer us clues to who the leaders of these cultures were, what the people believed, and how these societies interacted.