Academic Catalogs

SPAN G200: Mexican Culture and Civilization

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Top Code 110500 - Spanish
Units 3 Total Units 
Hours 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S), 
  • Pass/No Pass (B)
Diversity Requirement (GCD) Yes
California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)
  • Cal-GETC 3B Humanities (3B)
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)
  • IGETC 3B Humanities (3B)
California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth)
  • CSU C2 Humanities (C2)
  • CSU D3 Ethnic Studies (D3)

Course Description

This course will cover the history and culture of Mexico from its pre-Columbian civilizations to the present. Students will survey ancient civilization, Spanish colonization, religious belief systems, Mexican Independence, early republic, annexation of Texas, Mexican American War and territory loss, the reform movement, French invasion, the Porfiriato era, Mexican Revolution, revolutionary artists, political parties, oil industry, art, literature, food, culture, and modern developments. This course is taught in English. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Course outcomes
  2. Examine the Pre-Columbian Civilizations of Mexico.
  3. Order chronologically key historical events of the history of Mexico.
  4. Analyze various aspects of Mexican culture.
  5. Evaluate the causes and effects of key historical events or trends in the history of Mexico.

Course Objectives

  • 1. identify elements of Mexican Culture
  • 2. explain significant events regarding Mexican History
  • 3. identify Mexicos most prominent artists and muralists
  • 4. review and analyze works of Mexican literature
  • 5. recognize and interpret the authors of post-modern Mexican literature
  • 6. compare and contrast the works of the Mexican muralists

Lecture Content

The History of Mexico Mexico: An Introduction  Pre-Columbian Mexico  The Colonial Period  The Nineteenth Century  The Culture of Mexico  Traditions and Customs Cultural and Linguistic influences from various ethinc groups such as the pre-columbian indigenous tribes, African, European, and others. To include, "El Mestizaje".  The importance of various religious, indigenous, and patriotic "fiestas". The Arts and Literature of Mexico  The Colonial Era  From Independence to Dictatorship  The Revolution and Modernismo  The Muralists: Rivera, Orozco, Siqueiros, and Tamayo

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
  • DE Online Lecture (02X)

Reading Assignments

México: civilizaciones y culturas by Luis Leal Los de abajo by Mariano Azuela El llano en llamas by Juan Rulfo  La vida inutil de Pito Pérez by Jose Romero

Writing Assignments

Students will be able to write reports about Mexican history, art and culture in Spanish. Students will be able to read the most outstanding works of Mexicos literature in Spanish. Students will have an understanding of historic events which have formed contemporary Mexico. Students will be able to make an oral presentation using key events of Mexican history and culture.

Out-of-class Assignments

Students are encouraged to visit MOLAA (Museum of Latin American Art) and write a paper about their learning experience.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Students will be able to deduce valid conclusions from historical and cultural readings. This will be done by written reports and oral presentations. Students will be able to analyze and interpret works of art and literature.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Students will be able to write reports about Mexican history, art and culture in Spanish. Students will be able to read the most outstanding works of Mexicos literature in Spanish. Students will have an understanding of historic events which have formed contemporary Mexico. Students will be able to make an oral presentation using key events of Mexican history and culture.

Eligible Disciplines

Foreign languages: Masters degree in the language being taught OR bachelors degree in the language being taught AND masters degree in another language or linguistics OR the equivalent. Masters degree required.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Luis Leal. México: civilizaciones y culturas (Classic), ed. Houghton Mifflin, 1955 Rationale: most recent 2. Required Carlos Fuentes. Cuentos mexicanos (Classic), 1st ed. Alfaguara Juvenil, 1996 Rationale: .

Other Resources

1. Open resources