ANT 4905: Individual Work (variable UF credit)
ANT 4956: Anthropology of the Yucatan (5 UF credits)
The Anthropology course is taught primarily in English by faculty members from Anthropology, Linguistics, and History at the Autonomous University of Yucatan (UADY). Course work addresses a range of topics, including Mesoamerican archaeology, Maya lingusitics, colonial history, sociology and anthropology in Yucatan, and developing urban issues. The course is divided between class time and field experiences. Field trips are typically taken to Maya archaeological sites, small Yucatecan villages, Haciendas, coastal areas with developing eco-tourism, as well as craft and industry centers. Students are strongly encouraged to attend local cultural events and will have opportunities to meet and interact with local artisans, musicians, and laborers. Each week the Anthropology class will go on excursions to different parts of the the country. Some of the past excursions have included:
- The Caribean Coast: Exploring the colonial city of Izaamal, swimming in the underground cenote of Dzitnup, traveling to the city of Valladolid and staying overnight in Coba, visiting Playa del Carmen and exploring the ruins at Tulum.
- The Puuc Route: Traveling to Mani to visit the site of Diego de Landa's inquisition, visit the ruins of Mayapan, visiting small workshops of pottery and shoemaking in Ticul, eating a Mayan meal, "piibil" at Mayan home, learning to dance Mayan with children in a bilingual school, visiting the ruins Uxmal.
- Chiapas: Traveling to the port city of Campeche, lunch on the beach. Explore the Palenque ruins and swim in the Aguas Azules water falls.
