Ritual and Religion of Ancient Mesoamerica

Catalog description

This course examines the religious beliefs and ritual practices of ancient Mesoamerican cultures, such as the Olmec, Maya, and Aztecs. Students learn about the meaning of ritual practices (like human sacrifice and burial rites) and the myths that underlie this mysterious ritual behavior from an archaeological perspective. This class is writing intensive and involves primarily in-class discussion. Students are evaluated based on their participation, oral presentations, and a number of writing assignments.