Colonial Mexico and the Spanish Southwest
Fall 2014
HIST 4180 Wooten Hall 215 – MW 3:30 to 4:50 pm
Dr. Sandra Mendiola
E-mail: (best way to contact me)
OFFICE HOURS: Mondays 2:15 to 3:15pm and Wednesdays 1:15 to 3:15 pm or by appointment at Wooten Hall 263
Course Description
In this course, we will study the history of colonial Mexico including what is now considered the Spanish Southwest. We will start by exploring pre-Hispanic indigenous groups and will conclude by studying the Mexican wars of independence in the early nineteenth century. Additional topics include: the Spanish conquest, early explorations and settlements, colonial economy, and indigenous and African slavery. We will explore the different ways in which the Spanish built its empire in Central and North America, focusing on how indigenous, Afro-Mexicans, and mixed-race people confronted European colonization projects. We will pay special attention to gender and race relations. We will read works by historians and we will also examine a variety of primary sources.
Required Readings
This is a reading intensive course and your informed participation is extremely important. You must read the materials assigned for each session before the class meets. Be prepared to discuss them by taking notes while you read and by preparing comments for discussion.
Books:
Restall, Matthew, Seven Myths of the Spanish Conquest (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004)
Townsend, Camilla, Malintzin's Choices: An Indian Woman in the Conquest of Mexico (Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2006)
Yannakakis, Yanna, The Art of Being In-Between: Native Intermediaries, Indian Identity, and Local Rule in Colonial Oaxaca (Durham: Duke University Press, 2008).
Villa-Flores, Javier, ed. Emotions and Daily Life in Colonial Mexico (Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2014)
Articles:
Brooks, James “"This Evil Extends Especially... to the Feminine Sex": Negotiating Captivity in the New Mexico Borderlands,” Feminist Studies, Vol. 22, No. 2 (Summer, 1996), pp. 279-309
Clendinnen, Inga “Disciplining the Indians: Franciscan Ideology and Missionary Violence in Yucatán” Past and Present, 94, (1982), pp. 27-48
Gutiérrez, Ramón A. “Honor Ideology, Marriage Negotiation, and Class-Gender Domination in New Mexico, 1690-1846,” Latin American Perspectives, Vol. 12, No. 1 (Winter, 1985), pp. 81-104
Hackel, Steven “The Staff of Leadership: Indian Authority in the Missions of Alta California,” The William and Mary Quarterly, Third Series, Vol. 54, No. 2 (Apr., 1997), pp. 347-376
Slack, Edward R. “The Chinos in New Spain: A Corrected Lens for a Distorted Image,” Journal of World History, 20:1 (2009), pp. 35-67
Course Objectives
In this course, you will gain an understanding of colonial New Spain (which includes the so-called Spanish Southwest) from the time of the European conquest until independence in the early nineteenth century. You will learn how to read and interpret primary sources and how to think as a historian. Finally, you will improve your analytical, discussion, and writing skills.
Course Grade
I will calculate your grade as follows: A=90 to 100; B= 80 to 89; C=70 to 79; D=60-69; F=59 and below
Book Quizzes 20%
Participation 15%
Mid-term exam 20%
Research Paper 25%
Final Exam 20%
Assignments
Participation (15%). I will evaluate participation through class discussions and, if necessary, through pop quizzes. Your informed participation in every session is extremely important.
Graduate students: Every time we discuss a book or book chapters, graduate students will co-lead the discussion with me. This means that graduate students will prepare questions and answers for discussion. You are also in charge of reading book reviews of the assigned monograph, and at the end of the discussion, present in about 3-5 minutes to the whole class how scholars received the book.
Exams (40%). You will synthesize and analyze material from assigned readings, lectures, and discussions.
Research Paper (25%). You will write a final research paper (5 pages, plus bibliography and an optional title page) on a topic that falls into the time frame of this course (approximately 1519-1821)). A research proposal of your paper is due on October 6 (5%). The proposal includes your topic, a complex historical question, and a bibliography. You are required to use one primary source and at least three scholarly secondary sources. I do not accept encyclopedias, Wikipedia, textbooks, and popular magazines as sources. Your paper must be original and you cannot submit a paper that you wrote for another course. You must cite and quote your sources according to the Chicago Style guidelines. Be extremely careful with all your written assignments. Give credit to ideas that are not yours. Plagiarism will result in failure of the assignment or/and course. You must submit an electronic copy of your writing assignments to turnitin in Blackboard Learn. The final research paper is due on November 19. You will find handouts for specific instructions in Blackboard.
Graduate Students: Students will write a 15-page historiographical paper on a topic directly related to the history of Colonial Mexico or the Spanish Southwest. You should analyze how historians have studied, researched, and interpreted, your chosen theme. You will also include any major (if any) debates in the historiography of your topic. You will consult at least 6 books and 3 articles.
Course Policies
Attendance and Punctuality: I expect you to attend all class sessions. I will deduct 5% from the final grade course for each absence over three absences. Two tardies will be treated as one absence.
Graduate students: I expect you to attend all class sessions and arrive to class on time. Two tardies will be treated as one absence. In order to pass this course, you cannot miss more than 3 sessions. If you miss a class, you must send me your reading notes for the assigned reading material.
Late work: You will lose 5 points of your research proposal grade and 25 points of your final paper grade for every day your writing assignments are late. I will only allow you to take make-up exams under extraordinary circumstances. You must talk with me in advance to discuss specific circumstances that prevent you from taking the scheduled examinations. I will not make written comments on late work.
Class etiquette: Show respect for your classmates and professor. Avoid using your cell phone, browsing the web, and do not engage in side conversations while others are participating.
Disabilities Accommodations
If you need accommodations, you must register with the Office of Dissability Accomodation (ODA), which is located at the University Union Bldg., Suite 321 (940-565-4323). Bring your letter of accommodation to me within the first weeks of the semester.
Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is defined in the UNT Policy on Student Standards for Academic Integrity. Any suspected case of Academic Dishonesty will be handled in accordance with the University Policy and procedures. Possible academic penalties range from a verbal or written admonition to a grade of “F” in the course. Further sanctions may apply to incidents involving major violations. You will find the policy and procedures at http://vpaa.unt.edu/academic-integrity.htm
Academic dishonesty includes: cheating, plagiarism, forgery, fabrication, facilitating dishonesty, and sabotage.
Class Schedule
Note: The professor reserves the right to make changes to the course schedule with appropriate advance notice. You are responsible to check your UNT email at least three times per week.
Week One
M 8/25 Introduction
W 8/27 Pre-Columbian Mexico
Read: Restall, Seven Myths, chapters 1 and 2
Week Two
M 9/1 Labor Day – No class
W 9/3 The Spanish in the Iberian Peninsula
Read: Restall, Seven Myths, chapters 3 and 4
Read Primary Source in Blackboard
Week Three
M 9/8 The Spanish in the New World
Read: Restall, Seven Myths, chapters 5 and 6
W 9/10 The Conquest of Mexico.
Read: Restall, Seven Myths, chapter 7 and epilogue
Week Four
M 9/15 Spanish settlements in New Spain
W 9/17 Quiz and book discussion: Townsend, Malintzin’s Choices
Week Five
M 9/22 Catholic Church. Read: Villa-Flores, Emotions and Daily Life, chapter 1
W 9/24 The Church in Yucatán and California.
Read: Clendinnen and Heckel (Blackboard)
Week 6
M 9/29 Colonial Administration and Economy.
Read: Villa-Flores, Emotions and Daily Life, chapters 4 and 5
W 10/1 Read: Yannakakis, The Art of Being, Part 1 and reading quiz
Week 7
M 10/6 African Presence and Slavery and Research Proposal due
W 10/8 Read: Brooks (Blackboard)
Week 8
M 10/13 Review. Read Primary Sources (Blackboard)
W 10/15 Mid-Term Exam due by 4:50 pm in my office
Week 9
M 10/20 Library Training
W 10/22 Asia and New Spain
Read: Slack (Blackboard)
Week 10
M 10/27 Sexuality. Read: Villa-Flores, Emotions and Daily Life, chapters 2 and 3
W 10/29 Gender and Sexuality. Read: Gutiérrez (Blackboard)
Week 11
M 11/3 Education and Daily Life
W 11/5 Read: Yanakakis, Part 2 and reading quiz
Week 12
M 11/10 Bourbon Reforms
W 11/12 Bourbon Reforms
Read:
Yannakakis, The Art of Being, Part 3 and
Villa-Flores, Emotions and Daily Life, chapter 6
Week 13
M 11/17 Late Colonial Life. Read: Villa-Flores, Emotions and Daily Life, chapter 7
W 11/19 FINAL PAPER DUE
Week 14
M 11/24 Mexican Independence. Read: Villa-Flores, Emotions and Daily Life, chapter 8
W 11/26 Mexican Independence. Read Primary Source in Blackboard
Week 15
M 12/1 The Aftermath of Independence.
W 12/3 Conclusions
12/10 December 10-Final Exam due by 3:30 pm in my office
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