History 3375

(Bied 3375)

History of Mexico

Professor Donald S. Frazier, Ph.D.

Office: 410 Appleton, Buffalo Gap, Texas

Phone: 793-3861 office/ 668-6222 cell

Class Meetings: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-9 p.m., from August 30 through October 20.

CLASSROOM: The Ann and Lee Rode Gallery at the Buffalo Gap Historic Village in Buffalo Gap, Texas, 79508.

Enter at the South Gate before 6 p.m. Only water in closed containers is allowed. We will have two breaks during the course of class. Snacks and soft drinks may be consumed on the grounds during the course of these breaks. There is no smoking on the grounds of the Buffalo Gap Historic Village.

DIRECTIONS FROM McMURRY UNIVERSITY:

From campus, turn left onto Sayles Boulevard and head south in the direction of the Mall of Abilene. This road becomes Buffalo Gap Road (FM 89) just a few blocks south of campus. Continue on for about a dozen miles. When you arrive in town, turn right on North Street (you will see several signs directing you to the Buffalo Gap Historic Village) and proceed one and one half blocks. Parking is on the margins of the road.

The South Gate will be our access point.

MAP

Statement of Purpose:

Students should anticipate learning and demonstrating their enhanced

·  Knowledge of core factual data including major Mexican history trends, figures, concepts, and events;

·  Ability to conduct research and collect data on major Mexican history trends, figures, concepts, and events, then analyze, draw conclusions, and make interpretations from this research;

·  Reading/writing/editing/composition skills;

·  Effective public presentation skills;

·  Personal discipline and study habit skills.

Grading sources:

·  Content Mastery (multiple choice tests, PowerPoint demonstrations, Fora) 60%

·  Research and Interpretation Mastery (PowerPoint, Fora) 10%

·  Demonstration of written communication skills (Fora) 10%

·  Public Presentation (PowerPoint) 10%

·  Intellectual discipline and study skills (attending class, preparing assignments) 10%

Grading Weights:

·  Multiple Choice Exams 30%

·  Classroom Presentations 30%

·  For a (plural of Forum) 30%

·  Intellectual Discipline 10%

A NOTE ON ATTENDENCE and COMMITTMENT

This is a mini-term class. Each class period is the equivalent of an entire week in the long semester. I understand missing one class period; two under unusual circumstances. If you miss three, I must drop you from the class. The nature of this class is about the interaction of the students with the professor and fellow students.

There are many, many online class options (University of Phoenix comes to mind). You are paying for access to an expert in this field and to a learning community all engaged in a specific study with articulated outcomes. There is no online equivalent to that.

Therefore, if you cannot commit to the meeting requirements of this class, don’t take it. This is critical for planning purposes and for the educational atmosphere and ambience of the class. If you have decided that this opportunity is really beyond your level of maturity or commitment, no hard feelings, just don’t burden this class, its professor, or its attendees with your vacillation. Social activities and work are not excused reasons for non-attendance.

Do the right thing. Don’t take the class if you aren’t serious about mastering the subject and participating fully.

In return for your commitment, the professor of this course will affirm to present engaging, thoughtful, and provocative classroom activities designed to help you achieve mastery of the subject.


Classroom supplies:

Bring a laptop computer (or equivalent smart phone, tablet, etc.) to class. You will need these to prepare presentations, look up information on the provided WiFi network, access online exams, or collaborate with fellow students.

BOOKS and ASSIGNED READINGS:

There are no mandatory books or readings in this class. The philosophy of teaching in this class is heavily focused on the students’ ability to take their own intellectual curiosity in directions of their own choosing under the careful guidance and tutelage of the professor. Therefore, be prepared to use free resources like the library, websites, study guides, and the like to harvest information from which to draw your interpretations and conclusions. This unbridled access to content information should be reflected in superior and thoughtful postings in the assigned discussion forums and presentations.

ASSIGNMENTS:

PowerPoint Presentations

In today’s world, the ability to make a cogent and engaging presentation to peers, potential customers, or designated constituencies is a fact of life. The lingua franca of this exchange of ideas and information is PowerPoint or similar presentation software. As such, students will be assigned topics for which they will prepare a brief media presentation of no longer than 10 minutes. Every presentation should end with a panel that lists the sources used to prepare the presentation.

Online Examinations

This class will be facilitated with its own MOODLE site. Students will take their exams on this site. They will be timed. Collaboration on these exams is acceptable. Life is often about teamwork and resourcefulness. So it is in this class. However, remember this exam is timed, and every participant will be taking a unique exam.

Online Forums

On Moodle, students will be tasked with participating in discussion for a where they will wrestle with particular questions posed by the professor. The forum assigned with an opening and closing date. These forums will not be reopened for any reason. If you did not take advantage of the opportunity during the time allotted, it will have a negative impact on your grade.

INSTRUCITONAL CALENDAR

DATE / In Class / Outside of Class / Resources
August 30 / Introduction to Class
Introduction to Meso-America
Apocalypto
(2.25 hours) / Prepare Brief PowerPoint Presentations (timed to 5-10 minutes) about selected Meso-American civilizations or sites / World Wide Web
(Photos, illustrations, and information);
Library
September 1 / Student Power Point Presentations over Meso-America ( 1-2 hours)
Volume I: Mexico, Courage and Conquest (45 minutes)
Discussion: Meso-America (15 minutes)
September 6 / Spanish Background and Conquest Power Point
Spanish Colonial Mexico Power Point
The End of Spanish Rule Power Point / Prepare Brief PowerPoint Presentations (timed to 5-10 minutes) about selected Spanish Colonial institutions and aspects of Mexican Colonial Society / World Wide Web
(Photos, illustrations, and information);
Library
September 8 / Student Power Point Presentations over Colonial Mexico ( 1-2 hours)
Volume II: Mexico, Courage and Conquest (45 minutes)
September 13 / The Age of Caudillos Power Point
War of 1000 Deserts Powerpoint
Volume III: Mexico, Courage and Conquest (45 miunutes) / Prepare Brief PowerPoint Presentations (timed to 5-10 minutes) about selected Mexican Early National Institutions and Society / World Wide Web
(Photos, illustrations, and information);
Library
September 15 / Student Power Point Presentations over Early National Institutions and Events ( 1-2 hours)
The War with the United States and Aftermath Power Point
September 20 / The War of the Reform Power Point;
Juarez and The French Intervention Power Point;
Cinco de Mayo (1 hour) / Prepare Brief PowerPoint Presentations (timed to 5-10 minutes) about selected Mexican Personalities and Events from this Time Period
September 22 / Student Power Point Presentations over Institutions and Events ( 1 hour)
General Santa Anna (2 hours)
September 27 / The Porfiriato Power Point
Que Viva Mexico
(1.5 Hours) / Prepare Brief PowerPoint Presentations (timed to 5-10 minutes) about selected Mexican Personalities and Events from this Time Period
September 29 / Student Power Point Presentations ( 1.5 hours)
Volume IV: Mexico, Courage and Conquest (45 miunutes)
October 4 / HOMECOMING
October 6 / HOMECOMING / Prepare Brief PowerPoint Presentations (timed to 5-10 minutes) about selected Mexican Personalities and Events from this Time Period
October 11 / The Mexican Revolution of 1910 Power Point
The U.S. Intervention in Mexico Power Point
Asi Era Pancho Villa (1.75 Hours) / Prepare Brief PowerPoint Presentations (timed to 5-10 minutes) about selected Mexican Personalities and Events from this Time Period
October 13 / Student Power Point Presentations over Institutions and Events ( 1.5 hours)
Food for the Ancestors
(1 hour)
October 18 / After the Revolution Power Point
Nationalization of Oil and Mexican Economics to 1968 and beyond
Narco State (1 Hour)
October 20 / FINAL EXAM AT ABUELOS