The Maya 8th Ed. is currently available online from about $17.61 new / $14.99 used, with a "Buyback Price" of $9.10. (+ p/h, at amazon.com & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25). The Amazon Book Trade-In Program will buy it back (the current Amazon Buyback price is $7.09. Which means the Amazon Price After Buyback would be $7.09--a real bargain, even with p/h added). (24 August 2011)
Mexico 6th Ed. is currently available online from about $13.96 new / $9.25 used, with a "Buyback Price" of $9.10. (+ p/h, at amazon.com & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25). The Amazon Book Trade-In Program will buy it back (the current Amazon Buyback price is $6.50. Which means the Amazon Price After Buyback would be $2.75--a real bargain, even with p/h added). (24 August 2011)
Week 1 — Ancient Middle America: Introduction and Orientation Week 1 Memo
A note on the slide formats: Since at this point we do not know what software you are using on your computer, we offer the slides in two formats. We recommend you first try "(.pdf)" , the “Portable Document Format” that is the open standard for document exchange. If you have problems with that format, please try "(.pptx)" , Office PowerPoint 2007. It is unlikely that you will have problems with both of them, but if you do, please let us know: troufs@d.umn.edu. When the materials are on your screen they should be running as a slide show. If you want or need to upgrade your software, you can download the latest PowerPoint viewer free, as well as download the latest Adobe .pdf Reader free.
Main Characteristics of Anthropology
slides: (.pptx)
(NOTE: This is a long slide set as it covers some very important background information that will be referred to often as we go through the semester. Please bear with it to the end. And it will take a little longer to load, so please bear with that also. There is no video presentation scheduled for this and next week as the base slide sets tend to be a little longer than "normal.")
[see note on slide formats] (NOTE: This is a long slide set as it covers more than 2000+ years. Please bear with it to the end. Please bear with it to the end. And it will take a little longer to load, so please bear with that also. There is no video presentation scheduled for this and next week as the base slide sets tend to be a little longer than "normal.")
Orientation to Anthropology and to Mesoamerica (cont.)
Main Characteristics of Anthropology
slides: (.pptx)
(NOTE: This is a long slide set as it covers some very important background information that will be referred to often as we go through the semester. Please bear with it to the end. And it will take a little longer to load, so please bear with that also. There is no video presentation scheduled for this and next week as the base slide sets tend to be a little longer than "normal.")
[see note on slide formats] (NOTE: This is a long slide set as it covers more than 2000+ years. Please bear with it to the end. Please bear with it to the end. And it will take a little longer to load, so please bear with that also. There is no video presentation scheduled for this and next week as the base slide sets tend to be a little longer than "normal.")
Students in the past have commented that there is TOO MUCH INFORMATION available on the classand supporting WebSites. Yes, there is a lot of information, no doubt about it, and it can be confusing at first. It’s helpful when starting out to remember that the required information for the course is contained in the middle panel of your HomePage. The information in the sidebars and many of the links are just there should you find those interesting and/or helpful.
The informal statement can be very straightforward. It's a simple statement of . . .
"Here's what I'm interested in doing. . . .
Here's why I'm interested in that. . . .
Here's what I think will be useful for that project. . . .
This means that you should include three or four references to materials and activities (such as interviewing someone . . .) that you think would be helpful to your in working on your project. (No, you do not have to do an interview, that's just one possibility.)
If you include a reference to a source on the web, be sure to give its full reference (not just the URL). For a web page your full reference should look something like this (include as much of this material as is available for the site[s] you are looking at):
For this assignment you may turn in the sources information any way you like -- except that if you are using a web site include the name of the web site (and author, if it has an author) in addition to the URL. (That is, do not just cite the URL.)
"I'm thinking about doing a project on X or Y, but can't make up my mind.
Here's what I'm interested in, and why. . . .
Here are some things that look like they might be useful for the project. . . .
This means that you should include three or four references to materials and activities (such as interviewing someone . . .) that you think would be helpful to your in working on your project. (No, you do not have to do an interview, that's just one possibility.)
If you include a reference to a source on the web, be sure to give its full reference (not just the URL). For a web page your full reference should look something like this (include as much of this material as is available for the site[s] you are looking at):
The informal statement can be very straightforward. It's a simple statement of . . .
"Here's what I'm interested in doing. . . .
Here's why I'm interested in that. . . .
Here's what I think will be useful for that project. . . .
This means that you should include three or four references to materials and activities (such as interviewing someone . . .) that you think would be helpful to your in working on your project. (No, you do not have to do an interview, that's just one possibility.)
If you include a reference to a source on the web, be sure to give its full reference (not just the URL). For a web page your full reference should look something like this (include as much of this material as is available for the site[s] you are looking at):
For this assignment you may turn in the sources information any way you like -- except that if you are using a web site include the name of the web site (and author, if it has an author) in addition to the URL. (That is, do not just cite the URL.)
"I'm thinking about doing a project on X or Y, but can't make up my mind.
Here's what I'm interested in, and why. . . .
Here are some things that look like they might be useful for the project. . . .
This means that you should include three or four references to materials and activities (such as interviewing someone . . .) that you think would be helpful to your in working on your project. (No, you do not have to do an interview, that's just one possibility.)
If you include a reference to a source on the web, be sure to give its full reference (not just the URL). For a web page your full reference should look something like this (include as much of this material as is available for the site[s] you are looking at):
s2019 The MA Extra Credit due by the end of Week 13, by Saturday, 20 April 2019. AVISO: Late Extra Credit Papers will not be accepted unless (1) arrangements for an alternate date have been arranged in advance, or (2) medical emergencies or similar extraordinary unexpected circumstances make it unfeasible to turn in the assignment by the announced due date. Why?
The Maya
Ch. 6, "The Terminal Classic," pp. 161-184
Mexico
Ch. 7, "The Epiclassic Period," pp. 132-150
s2019 The MA Extra Credit due by the end of Week 13, by Saturday, 20 April 2019. AVISO: Late Extra Credit Papers will not be accepted unless (1) arrangements for an alternate date have been arranged in advance, or (2) medical emergencies or similar extraordinary unexpected circumstances make it unfeasible to turn in the assignment by the announced due date. Why?
s2019 The MA Case Study is due no later than the end of Week 13, Saturday, 20 April 2019
AVISO: Late Case Study papers will not be accepted unless (1) arrangements for an alternate date have been arranged in advance, or (2) medical emergencies or similar extraordinary unexpected circumstances make it unfeasible to turn in the assignment by the announced due date.
Mexico
"Reigning Monarchs of the Aztec State" on p. 237
For Week 13 Activities see
s2019 The MA Case Study is due no later than the end of Week 13, Saturday, 20 April 2019
AVISO: Late Case Study papers will not be accepted unless (1) arrangements for an alternate date have been arranged in advance, or (2) medical emergencies or similar extraordinary unexpected circumstances make it unfeasible to turn in the assignment by the announced due date.
s2019 The MA Extra Credit Term Paper Term Paper is due by the end of Week 13, by Saturday, 20 April 2019.
AVISO: Late Extra Credit Papers will not be accepted unless (1) arrangements for an alternate date have been arranged in advance, or (2) medical emergencies or similar extraordinary unexpected circumstances make it unfeasible to turn in the assignment by the announced due date. Why?
s2019 The MA Extra Credit Term Paper Term Paper is due by the end of Week 13, by Saturday, 20 April 2019.
AVISO: Late Extra Credit Papers will not be accepted unless (1) arrangements for an alternate date have been arranged in advance, or (2) medical emergencies or similar extraordinary unexpected circumstances make it unfeasible to turn in the assignment by the announced due date. Why?
At the very end of the film note the similarities between some of these practices at Laguna de Guatavita (Columbia) and the offerings at the sacred cenote at Chichén Itzá
"Academic dishonesty tarnishes UMD's reputation and discredits the accomplishments of students. UMD is committed to providing students every possible opportunity to grow in mind and spirit. This pledge can only be redeemed in an environment of trust, honesty, and fairness. As a result, academic dishonesty is regarded as a serious offense by all members of the academic community. In keeping with this ideal, this course will adhere to UMD's Student Academic Integrity Policy, which can be found at [http://www.d.umn.edu/conduct/integrity/Academic_Integrity_Policy.htm]. This policy sanctions students engaging in academic dishonesty with penalties up to and including expulsion from the university for repeat offenders."
– UMD Educational Policy Committee, Jill Jensen, Chair (08/16/2007)
The instructor will enforce and students are expected to follow the University's Student Conduct Code [http://www1.umn.edu/regents/policies/academic/Student_Conduct_Code.html]. Appropriate classroom conduct promotes an environment of academic achievement and integrity. Disruptive classroom behavior that substantially or repeatedly interrupts either the instructor's ability to teach, or student learning, is prohibited. Disruptive behavior includes inappropriate use of technology in the classroom. Examples include ringing cell phones, text-messaging, watching videos, playing computer games, doing email, or surfing the Internet on your computer instead of note-taking or other instructor-sanctioned activities."
– UMD Educational Policy Committee, Jill Jensen, Chair (08/16/2007)
A Note on Extra Credit Papers
Failure to comply with the above codes and standards when submitting an Extra Credit paper will result in a penalty commensurate with the lapse, up to and including an F final grade for the course, and, at a minimum, a reduction in total points no fewer than the points available for the Extra Credit project. The penalty will not simply be a zero for the project, and the incident will be reported to the UMD Academic Integrity Officer in the Office of Student and Community Standards.
Students with disabilities:
It is the policy and practice of the University of Minnesota Duluth to create inclusive learning environments for all students, including students with disabilities. If there are aspects of this course that result in barriers to your inclusion or your ability to meet course requirements – such as time limited exams, inaccessible web content, or the use of non-captioned videos – please notify the instructor as soon as possible. You are also encouraged to contact the Office of Disability Resources to discuss and arrange reasonable accommodations. Please call 218-726-6130 or visit the DR website at www.d.umn.edu/access for more information.
A-Z index
, the “Portable Document Format” that is the open standard for document exchange. If you have problems with that format, please try "(.pptx)" 
, Office PowerPoint 2007. It is unlikely that you will have problems with both of them, but if you do, please let us know: 
