Mesoamerica Syllabus, page 1 of 6

AH 225. Art and Architecture of the Ancient Americas: Mesoamerica and its Northern Neighbors

Undergraduate Lecture Mondays and Wednesdays, 5:30-6:45pm

Carlos Hall 212

Professor: Dr. Megan O’Neil Emory University, Department of Art History

Office: Carlos Hall 127; Phone: 404-727-6419; Email: moneil7@emory.edu; Office hours: Mondays 3:00-4:00, Wednesdays 10:00-11:00, or by appointment.

Course Description: This course is a survey of the art and architecture of ancient Mesoamerica (Mexico and Central America) and its northern neighbors (in the U.S. Southwest and Southeast),

addressing a range of topics including materials and manufacturing techniques, aesthetics, history, mythology, politics, writing, urbanism, and the creation of sacred landscapes.

Course Requirements: Attendance; Weekly Readings; Short Papers; Mid-term and Final Exams Weekly Readings: Reading of assigned texts (listed in “Schedule”) is required and will give you the necessary background for participating in class and completing assignments. The reading should be done BEFORE each class. ● Book (available at B&N at Emory Bookstore; on Reserve at Woodruff Library):

○ Miller, Mary Ellen. The Art of Mesoamerica from Olmec to Aztec, 5th edition. London: Thames and Hudson (2012). ISBN: 9780500204146

● Articles and Book Chapters (listed below) available in online course reserves. Exams and Assignments: Assignments must be turned in on time. Appropriate medical and family excuses must be provided to establish new dates for assignments. I will give detailed instructions in class for each of the assignments listed below. ● Short Papers: Two short papers (3-4 pages each, typed and double-spaced) are required.

o Paper # 1, due September 17, will be an essay on an object at the Carlos Museum. o Paper # 2, due November 5, will be a literature review.

● Mid-term Exam (October 17): The mid-term exam will consist of image analysis and comparisons, short answers, and essays.

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● Final Exam (December 14): The final exam will be cumulative and will consist of image analysis and comparisons, short answers, and essays.

Grading (total 100%): Short Paper (Museum Essay): 20%; Short paper (Literature Review): 20%; Mid-term Exam: 25%; Final Exam: 35%. All assignments must be completed and submitted in order to pass the class. Learning Outcomes ● Students will learn about the chronology, attributes, and content of major ancient artistic and

architectural traditions of Mesoamerica and the American Southwest and Southeast. ● Students will be able to identify artworks from different regions and periods of the ancient

Americas. ● Students will be able to analyze formal qualities of works of art or architecture of the ancient

Americas through close visual examination and describe them using appropriate terminology. ● Through readings and writing assignments, students will develop skills in critical reading and

thinking. ● In written examinations and essays, students will demonstrate an understanding of the role of art

and architecture in religious, political, and social contexts in the ancient Americas. Course Policies Attendance: Students are expected to attend all class sessions. If you are not able to attend a session, please make arrangements with another student to get notes and announcements. Cell phones, laptops, and other electronic devices: All cell phones must be turned OFF during class. If you use a laptop or other electronic device for note-taking, please sit in the back of the room so as not to distract other students. Honor Code: Familiarize yourself with Emory’s Honor Code regarding plagiarism and academic integrity. There is zero tolerance for cheating and plagiarism in this course. If you have questions about what constitutes cheating or plagiarism, please consult me. Office of Accessibility Services: Emory provides all persons an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs and services afforded to others. Students who need accommodations for this course are encouraged to see Professor O’Neil as soon as possible in the semester (and at least one week before the test or assignment due date). Students must also register with Emory’s Office of Accessibility Services; see http://accessibility.emory.edu/students/new-to-oas/registering.html. Religious Accommodations: Any student who is absent because of his or her religious beliefs will be given an opportunity to make up examination, study, or work requirements. As soon as possible (and at least one week in advance), please inform me of religious observances that are likely to conflict directly with this class so that we can make any necessary accommodations. Office hours: Mondays 3:00-4:00, Wednesdays 10:00-11:00, or by appointment. If you are having problems or want to discuss any aspect of the course, please see me during office hours or make an appointment. Email is a good way to communicate with me for brief questions.

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Schedule of Topics and Readings Weds. 8/29 Approaching Art and Archaeology in the Ancient Americas Weds. 9/5 Olmec Early Formative: Sculptural Traditions at San Lorenzo

➢ Miller, Mary Ellen. Art of Mesoamerica, pp.10-34; ➢ Ann Cyphers and Anna Di Castro. Early Olmec Architecture and Imagery. Art of Urbanism:

How Mesoamerican Kingdoms Represented Themselves in Architecture and Imagery, ed. W. L. Fash and L. López Luján, pp.21-52. Washington, D.C.: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection (2009).

Mon. 9/10 Olmec Middle Formative: Sacred Landscapes at La Venta and Chalcatzingo

➢ Miller, Mary Ellen. Art of Mesoamerica, pp.34-47; ➢ Taube, Karl. The Olmec Maize God: The Face of Corn in Formative Mesoamerica. RES:

Anthropology and Aesthetics 29/30:39-81 (Spring - Autumn, 1996).

Weds. 9/12 Late Preclassic Maya: Deities and Myths in the San Bartolo Murals ➢ Miller, Mary Ellen. Art of Mesoamerica, pp.48-58, 68-77; ➢ Saturno, William A. Centering the kingdom, centering the king: Maya creation and

legitimization at San Bartolo. Art of Urbanism: How Mesoamerican Kingdoms Represented Themselves in Architecture and Imagery, ed. W. Fash and L. Luján, pp.111-134. Washington, DC: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection (2009).

Mon. 9/17 Late Preclassic West Mexico: From Effigies to Commodities

➢ Miller, Mary Ellen. Art of Mesoamerica, pp.64-68; ➢ Pickering, Robert B. Results of External and Internal Examinations of Shaft Tomb Figures.

Shaft Tombs and Figures in West Mexican Society: A Reassessment, ed. C. Beekman and R. Pickering, pp.128-146. Tulsa: Gilcrease Museum (2016).

**Paper # 1, due in class** Weds. 9/19 Architecture and Cosmos at Teotihuacan

➢ Miller, Mary Ellen. Art of Mesoamerica, pp.78-90; ➢ Matthew H. Robb. Space, Object, and Identity in the City of the Gods. Teotihuacan: City of

Water, City of Fire, ed. M. H. Robb, pp.158-167. San Francisco: deYoung Museum (2017). Mon. 9/24 Teotihuacan Sculpture and Painting

➢ Miller, Mary Ellen. Art of Mesoamerica, pp.91-105; ➢ López Luján, Leonardo, Laura Filloy Nadal, Barbara W. Fash, William L. Fash, and Pilar

Hernández. The destruction of images in Teotihuacan: Anthropomorphic sculpture, elite cults, and the end of a civilization. Res 49/50:13-39 (Spring/Autumn 2006).

Weds. 9/26 Early Classic Maya: Sculpture and Architecture

➢ Miller, Mary Ellen. Art of Mesoamerica, pp.128-151; ➢ Stuart, David. Shining Stones: Observations on the Ritual Meaning of Early Maya Stelae.

The Place of Stone Monuments: Context, Use, and Meaning in Mesoamerica’s Preclassic

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Transition, ed. J. Guernsey, J. Clark, and B. Arroyo, pp.283-298. Washington, DC: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection (2010).

Mon. 10/1 Late Classic Maya I: Palenque, Yaxchilan, and Bonampak

➢ Miller, Mary Ellen. Art of Mesoamerica, pp.152-162, 194-198; ➢ Joyce, Rosemary. The Construction of Gender in Classic Maya Monuments. Gender and

Archaeology, ed. R. Wright. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press (1996). Weds. 10/3 Late Classic Maya II: Piedras Negras, Tikal, and Copan

➢ Miller, Mary Ellen. Art of Mesoamerica, pp.163-172; ➢ O’Neil, Megan E. Ancient Maya Sculptures of Tikal, Seen and Unseen. Res: Anthropology

and Aesthetics 55/56:119-134 (2009). [Fall break. No class 10/8] Weds. 10/10 Maya Architecture in the North: Puuc, Rio Bec, Chenes

➢ Miller, Mary Ellen. Art of Mesoamerica, pp.172-177; ➢ Trevelyan, Amelia M., and Heather W. Forbes. The Gendered Architecture of Uxmal.

Ancient Maya Gender Identity and Relations, ed. L. S. Gustafson and A. M. Trevelyan, pp.93-140. Westport, CT: Bergin & Garvey (2002).

Mon. 10/15 Class Visit to Carlos Museum

➢ Miller, Mary Ellen. Art of Mesoamerica, pp.187-194. Weds. 10/17 Mid-term Exam Mon. 10/22 Zapotec Architecture at Monte Alban

➢ Miller, Mary Ellen. Art of Mesoamerica, pp.58-64, 106-113; ➢ Marcus, Joyce. How Monte Alban Represented Itself. Art of Urbanism: How Mesoamerican

Kingdoms Represented Themselves in Architecture and Imagery, ed. W. L. Fash and L. López Luján, pp.77-110. Washington, D.C.: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection (2009).

Weds. 10/24 Zapotec Funerary Painting and Sculpture

➢ Miller, Mary Ellen. Art of Mesoamerica, pp.113-116; ➢ Sellen, Adam. Storm-God Impersonators from Ancient Oaxaca. Ancient Mesoamerica

13(2002):3-19. Mon. 10/29 Late Classic Veracruz: El Tajin and the Mesoamerican Ballgame

➢ Miller, Mary Ellen. Art of Mesoamerica, pp.116-125; ➢ Koontz, Rex. Ballcourt Rites, Paradise, and the Origins of Power in Classic Veracruz. In

Pre-Columbian Landscapes of Creation and Origin, ed. J. Staller, pp.11–29. New York: Springer (2008).

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Weds. 10/31 Postclassic Mesoamerica: Cacaxtla and Xochicalco ➢ Miller, Mary Ellen. Art of Mesoamerica, pp.198-207; ➢ Brittenham, Claudia. Style and Substance, or Why the Cacaxtla Paintings were Buried. Res:

Anthropology and Aesthetics 55/56: 135-155 (2009). Mon. 11/5 Postclassic Mesoamerica: Artistic Exchange at Tula and Chichen Itza

➢ Miller, Mary Ellen. Art of Mesoamerica, pp.208-230; ➢ Miller, Mary Ellen. A Re-examination of the Mesoamerican Chacmool. The Art Bulletin

67(1):7-17 (1985). **Paper # 2, due in class**

Weds. 11/7 Postclassic Mesoamerica: Aztec Architecture and Ideology in Tenochtitlan

➢ Miller, Mary Ellen. Art of Mesoamerica, pp.238-261; ➢ Matos Moctezuma, Eduardo. Symbolism of the Templo Mayor. The Aztec Templo Mayor,

ed. E. H. Boone, pp.185-210. Washington, D.C.: Dumbarton Oaks (1987). Mon. 11/12 Postclassic Mesoamerica: Buried Offerings in the Tenochtitlan Great Temple

➢ Miller, Mary Ellen. Art of Mesoamerica, pp.262-267; ➢ López Luján, Leonardo. Recreating the cosmos; seventeen Aztec dedication caches. The

Sowing and the Dawning: Termination, Dedication, and Transformation in the Archaeological and Ethnographic Record of Mesoamerica, ed. Shirley Boteler Mock, pp.177-187. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press

Weds. 11/14 Mississippian Cultures and American Southeast I: Cahokia and Spiro

➢ Brown, James A. The Cahokian Expression: Creating Court and Cult. Hero, Hawk, and Open Hand: American Indian Art of the Ancient Midwest and South, ed. R. F. Townsend, pp.105-123. New Haven: Yale University Press (2004).

➢ Reilly, F. Kent. Thoughts on the Preservation of Traditional Culture: An Interview with Joyce and Turner Bear. Hero, Hawk, and Open Hand: American Indian Art of the Ancient Midwest and South, ed. R. Townsend, pp.183-189. New Haven: Yale University Press (2004).

Mon. 11/19 Mississippian Cultures and American Southeast II: Moundville and Etowah

➢ Knight, Vernon J. and Judith A. Franke. Identification of a Moth/ Butterfly Supernatural in Mississippian Art. Ancient Objects and Sacred Realms: Interpretations of Mississippian Iconography, ed. F. Reilly III and J. Garber, pp.136-151. Austin: University of Texas Press (2007).

Weds. 11/21: no class Mon. 11/26 Place and Landscape in the American Southwest: Hohokam, Chaco Canyon

➢ Swentzell, Rita. Centers in the Pueblo World. The Road to Aztlán: Art from a Mythic Homeland, eds. V. Fields and V. Zamudio-Taylor, pp.310-317. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art (2001).

Mesoamerica Syllabus, page 6 of 6

➢ Van Dyke, Ruth. Materialities of Place: Ideology of the Chacoan Landscape. Contemporary Archaeologies of the Southwest, ed. W. Walker and K. Venzor, pp.13-48. Boulder: Univ. Press of Colorado (2011).

Weds. 11/28 Architecture and Rock Art in the Post-Chaco World

➢ Colwell-Chanthaphonh, Chip. Signs in Place: Native American Perspectives of the Past in the San Pedro Valley of Southeastern Arizona. Kiva 69(1):5-29 (Fall, 2003).

Mon. 12/3 Paquimé: Architecture and Pottery ➢ Vanpool, Christine S. and Todd L. Vanpool. Serpents from Sky to Water: Casas Grandes

Religion and Leaders. Discovering Paquimé, ed. P. E. Minnis and M. E. Whalen, pp.37-39. Tucson: University of Arizona Press (2016).

Weds. 12/5 Hopi Kiva and Pottery Painting ➢ Sekaquaptewa, Emory and Dorothy Washburn. Living in Metaphor: Hopi Traditions in Song

and Image. Painting the Cosmos: Metaphor and Worldview in Images from the Southwest Pueblos and Mexico, ed. K. Hays-Gilpin and P. Schaafsma, pp.139-178. MNA Bulletin 67. Flagstaff, AZ: Museum of Northern Arizona (2010).

Mon. 12/10 Myth and History in Mesoamerican Books

➢ Miller, Mary Ellen. Art of Mesoamerica, pp.267-272; ➢ Boone, Elizabeth Hill. Aztec pictorial histories: records without words. Writing without

Words: Alternative literacies in Mesoamerica and the Andes, ed. E. Boone and W. Mignolo, pp. 50-76 Washington, D.C.: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection (1994).

Fri., 12/14 FINAL EXAMINATION, 11:30-2:00pm