Maya Culture in Yucatan from edX

Explore the essence of one of Latin America’s most significant civilizations: the Mayans. This course takes you on a journey through the key elements of Mayan culture in Yucatán, offering essential insights into their society, history, religion, the role of women, traditions, attire, and architecture, along with the enduring legacies that remain today.

Dive into the heart of their development in the Yucatán Peninsula, home to iconic archaeological sites such as Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, Edzná, and Calakmul. This remarkable civilization that made these lands their own, left an indelible mark on history.

You’ll explore the Mayans’ worldview, their religious beliefs, their unique numerical and writing systems, and their intricate calendars. Delve into the various theories about their decline following the arrival of the Spanish.

Learn how the descendants of this ancient culture live today, how they’ve preserved their heritage, and the challenges they face in modern Yucatán. Be inspired and join us on this fascinating journey!

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand the fundamental aspects of mayan civilization.
Explore the scientific and technological achievements of the mayans, alongside their social and religious dynamics.
Identify the architectural styles that define the pre-hispanic cities of the yucatán peninsula.

Trace the key events that shaped the maya’s military resistance from the time of the spanish conquest up to the early 20th century.
Appreciate the profound impact of mayan culture and civilization on mexico, particularly in the yucatán peninsula.

Understand the fundamental aspects of mayan civilization.
Explore the scientific and technological achievements of the mayans, alongside their social and religious dynamics.
Identify the architectural styles that define the pre-hispanic cities of the yucatán peninsula.
Trace the key events that shaped the maya’s military resistance from the time of the spanish conquest up to the early 20th century.
Appreciate the profound impact of mayan culture and civilization on mexico, particularly in the yucatán peninsula.

Syllabus

Módulo 1: Origen, desarrollo y declive de los mayas.

The Origin of the Maya Civilization

Maya Regions and Influential Zones

The Development of the Maya Civilization on the Peninsula

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Explores the Mayan civilization's development in the Yucatán Peninsula, home to iconic archaeological sites such as Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, Edzná, and Calakmul

Examines the profound impact of Mayan culture and civilization on Mexico, particularly in the Yucatán Peninsula, offering valuable insights into regional history

Identifies the architectural styles that define the pre-Hispanic cities of the Yucatán Peninsula, providing a foundation for understanding Mayan construction and design

Traces the key events that shaped the Maya’s military resistance from the time of the Spanish conquest up to the early 20th century, detailing a long history of conflict

Features interviews with Dr John Chuchiak and Dr Tsubasa Okoshi, who may offer unique perspectives on the history and culture of the Mayan civilization

Examines the syncretism of the conquest, which may be useful for students interested in the blending of indigenous beliefs with colonial influences

Reviews summary

Insights into mayan culture history

According to learners, this course provides a positive and informative journey into Mayan civilization in Yucatan. Students particularly appreciate the breadth of coverage, touching on history, society, religion, architecture, and the contemporary lives of the Maya people. While some mention the lectures and content are highly engaging and well-structured, a few point out areas where they wished for more depth or updated perspectives. Overall, it is seen as a solid foundation for understanding the rich history and enduring legacy of the Maya.

Interviews provide valuable expert perspectives.

"The interviews with experts added a lot of value and different perspectives to the material."

"Hearing directly from researchers like Dr. Chuchiak and Dr. Okoshi was a highlight."

"These interviews provided context and real-world insights not found in the lectures."

Provides a good starting point for understanding the Maya.

"This course gave me a really good foundation in understanding Mayan history and culture."

"It's an excellent introduction for anyone new to the subject."

"I feel like I have a much better grasp of the key aspects of this civilization now."

Lectures and material are interesting and easy to follow.

"The lectures were very engaging and kept my attention throughout the course."

"The content was well-presented and made complex topics understandable."

"I found the material truly fascinating and the delivery style was great."

Explores many facets of Mayan history and culture.

"The course covered a wide range of topics, from ancient history to modern-day issues faced by the Maya."

"I appreciated the comprehensive overview of Mayan society, religion, and architecture."

"It was great to learn about the origins, decline, and the current situation of the Maya people."

Some topics could benefit from more detail.

"While broad, some specific areas felt a bit superficial and could have gone into more detail."

"I was hoping for a deeper dive into certain architectural styles or historical events."

"Could use more in-depth coverage on specific aspects of their numerical/writing systems."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Maya Culture in Yucatan with these activities:

Review 'Popol Vuh: The Sacred Book of the Maya'

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Familiarize yourself with the Mayan creation myth and religious beliefs to better understand the cultural context discussed in the course.

View Popol Vuh: The Definitive Edition of The Mayan... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the Popol Vuh.
Read the book, taking notes on key themes and characters.
Reflect on the significance of the stories within the context of Mayan society.

Review Mesoamerican History

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Strengthen your understanding of the broader historical context in which the Mayan civilization arose and developed.

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Review timelines of Mesoamerican civilizations.
Identify key cultural and historical developments.
Note the relationships between different Mesoamerican cultures.

Create a Timeline of Mayan History

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Solidify your understanding of the chronology of Mayan civilization by creating a visual timeline.

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Research key events in Mayan history.
Organize the events chronologically.
Create a visual representation of the timeline.
Add brief descriptions of each event.

Four other activities

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Discuss Mayan Architecture with Peers

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Deepen your understanding of Mayan architectural styles by discussing them with other students.

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Prepare notes on different Mayan architectural styles.
Share your notes with your peers.
Discuss the similarities and differences between the styles.
Answer questions from your peers.

Review 'A Forest of Kings: The Untold Story of the Ancient Maya'

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Gain a deeper understanding of Mayan political structures and dynastic history.

View Melania on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'A Forest of Kings'.
Read the book, focusing on the roles of Mayan rulers.
Take notes on key dynasties and political events.

Write a Research Paper on the Caste War of Yucatán

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Deepen your understanding of Mayan resistance to Spanish rule by researching and writing about the Caste War.

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Research the causes and events of the Caste War.
Develop a thesis statement about the war's significance.
Write a well-researched and organized paper.
Cite your sources properly.

Volunteer at a Local Museum with Mayan Artifacts

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Enhance your learning by engaging with physical artifacts and sharing your knowledge with others.

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Contact a local museum with Mayan artifacts.
Inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Assist with tasks such as cataloging or guiding visitors.

Career center

Learners who complete Maya Culture in Yucatan will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Archaeologist

An archaeologist studies past peoples and cultures by excavating, analyzing, and interpreting material remains. This course provides a foundation for understanding the intricacies of Mayan civilization, which is invaluable for an archaeologist specializing in Mesoamerica. You will learn about Mayan society, history, religion, architecture, and the impact of the Spanish conquest. This course explores the origins, development, and decline of the Mayans, offering insights into their worldview, beliefs, numerical systems, and calendars. Moreover, insights into the architectural styles that define the pre-Hispanic cities of the Yucatán Peninsula, such as the Puuc style, could prove pivotal to your work as an archaeologist.

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Cultural Heritage Manager

A cultural heritage manager works to preserve and promote cultural heritage sites and traditions. As a cultural heritage manager working with Mayan sites in the Yucatán, this course will prove especially useful. It introduces the key elements of Mayan culture, including their society, history, religion, architecture, and enduring legacies. Learning about the impact of the Spanish conquest and the ongoing efforts to preserve Mayan heritage, as detailed in this course, will prepare you to address the challenges faced in contemporary Mayan communities. A grasp of the material covered in the module on architecture would be helpful to someone in this position.

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Museum curator

A museum curator is responsible for acquiring, managing, and interpreting artifacts and exhibits within a museum. This course offers essential insights into Mayan culture, making it ideal for a curator specializing in Mayan artifacts. The course delves into Mayan society, history, religion, the role of women, traditions, attire, and architecture, providing a comprehensive understanding of Mayan civilization. The curator will benefit from the course's exploration of the Mayan worldview, religious beliefs, numerical systems, and calendars. You'll also learn about the architectural styles that define the pre-Hispanic cities of the Yucatán Peninsula, which could be relevant to managing exhibits.

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Historian

A historian researches, analyzes, and interprets the past. This course enhances a historian's understanding of Mayan civilization. The course explores the origins, development, and decline of the Mayans, offering insights into their worldview, beliefs, numerical systems, and calendars. Understanding the key events that shaped the Maya’s military resistance from the time of the Spanish conquest up to the early 20th century helps provide a nuanced perspective. Your work as a historian will be aided by the understanding of the key elements of the Mayan culture in Yucatán, including their society, history, and religion.

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Anthropologist

An anthropologist studies human societies and cultures and their development. This course provides an excellent introduction to Mayan culture, offering essential insights into their society, history, religion, traditions, and enduring legacies. The course's deep dive into the Mayan worldview, religious beliefs, numerical systems, and calendars will be invaluable to an anthropologist studying this culture. This course's subject matter introduces the impact of the Spanish conquest on Maya civilization. Such information will be helpful if you are an anthropologist.

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Cultural Anthropologist

A cultural anthropologist examines the cultural aspects of human societies. As a cultural anthropologist focusing on the Mayan civilization, this course is invaluable. It offers essential insights into their society, history, religion, traditions, architecture, and enduring legacies. You will learn about the Mayan worldview, religious beliefs, numerical systems, and calendars. To be successful, you will need an understanding of the impact of the Spanish conquest on Maya civilization, and this course prepares you for such an understanding.

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Tour Guide

A tour guide leads visitors through sites of interest, providing information and answering questions. This course provides a wealth of knowledge about Mayan culture, which is highly beneficial for a tour guide in the Yucatán Peninsula. As a tour guide, you will learn about Mayan society, history, religion, traditions, attire, and architecture, enabling you to offer detailed and engaging tours of sites like Chichén Itzá and Uxmal. The insights into the architectural styles of the pre-Hispanic cities of the Yucatán Peninsula will be particularly useful. This course prepares the tour guide to present information about the role of women among the Maya.

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Travel Writer

A travel writer creates content about destinations, cultures, and experiences for various publications. This course provides a strong foundation for writing about the Mayan culture in Yucatán. The course covers key elements of Mayan society, history, religion, traditions, attire, and architecture, providing rich material for engaging articles and blog posts. The course also prepares you to write about the various archaeological sites in the Yucatan. This course explores Mayan society and the traces of their rituals that persist despite time.

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Indigenous Rights Advocate

An indigenous rights advocate works to protect the rights and well-being of indigenous communities. This course will be especially helpful for an advocate focused on the Mayan people. As an advocate, you will learn about the history of the Maya, including the impact of the Spanish conquest and the ongoing challenges faced by contemporary Mayan communities. The course provides insights into their society, traditions, and the ways they have preserved their heritage. The lessons can prepare you for assisting the modern Maya in the Yucatán.

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Professor of Latin American Studies

A professor of Latin American Studies instructs students on the history, culture, and society of Latin America. This course explores the essence of one of Latin America's most significant civilizations, the Mayans, which could be included in course curricula. This course delves into the key elements of Mayan culture in Yucatán, offering essential insights into their society, history, religion, the role of women, traditions, attire, and architecture, along with the enduring legacies that remain today. To teach the subject of Latin American Studies, you may want to explore the scientific and technological achievements of the Mayans, alongside their social and religious dynamics.

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Teacher

A teacher educates students in a variety of academic and non-academic subjects. This course may be useful for a teacher who instructs on the topic of the Mayan Civilization. The course dives into the society and history of the Maya. The course enhances a teacher's understanding of Mayan civilization. This course may provide teachers a foundation to discuss topics such as the profound impact of Mayan culture and civilization on Mexico, particularly in the Yucatán Peninsula.

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Nonprofit Program Manager

A nonprofit program manager develops and implements programs for nonprofit organizations. This course may be useful for someone whose nonprofit develops cultural preservation programs pertaining to the Mayan civilization. The course introduces the key elements of Mayan culture, including their society, history, religion, architecture, and enduring legacies. Learning about the impact of the Spanish conquest and the ongoing efforts to preserve Mayan heritage, as detailed in this course, will prepare you to address the challenges faced in contemporary Mayan communities.

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International Development Worker

An international development worker focuses on improving the quality of life in developing countries. This course may be relevant to an international development worker involved in projects related to cultural preservation or sustainable tourism in the Yucatán Peninsula. The course introduces key elements of Mayan culture, including their society and their traditions. It also addresses the challenges faced by contemporary Mayan communities, which helps one to develop programs and initiatives.

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Freelance Writer

A freelance writer writes articles on a wide range of topics. This course may prove helpful for a freelance writer seeking to specialize in the topic of the Mayan Civilization. The course explores the essence of one of Latin America’s most significant civilizations: the Mayans. It takes you on a journey through the key elements of Mayan culture in Yucatán, offering essential insights into their society, history, religion, the role of women, traditions, attire, and architecture, along with the enduring legacies that remain today. This will better enable you to write about the subject.

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Librarian

A librarian assists people with accessing and retrieving information from books, articles, and other sources. This course may be useful for a librarian seeking to specialize in the subject of the Mayan Civilization. The course explores the essence of one of Latin America’s most significant civilizations: the Mayans. It takes you on a journey through the key elements of Mayan culture in Yucatán, offering essential insights into their society, history, religion, the role of women, traditions, attire, and architecture, along with the enduring legacies that remain today. This course will better equip you to locate sources relevant to patrons.

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Maya Culture in Yucatan

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Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Insights into mayan culture history

Activities

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