[Aztlan] Help with course title "The Architecture of ..."

[Alfonso Muralles]

Hi Diane,

I think that the key words should be, for Pre-Columbian to call the
Architecture of Mesoamerica, a term accepted to include the cultures of most
Mexico (just the Northern part of it is excluded), all Guatemala and the
immediate neighbor countries to the South:  Honduras and El Salvador.

For Spanish Colonial the course may be called Architecture of the Viceroy of
New Spain, a political entity that included all Mexico (with South West USA
and California - The Missions - included) and the Captain Generalcy of
Central America.

For Modern Architecture (Muralism of the 20th Century in Mexico and
Guatemala City, for instance) I think that the course may be called
Architecture of Mexico and Central America.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards,

Alfonso Muralles
MAYATOUR
1 (954) 889-MAYA
alfonso at mayatour.com
Skype ID:  alfonso.muralles
www.mayatour.com




-----Original Message-----
From: aztlan-bounces at lists.famsi.org [mailto:aztlan-bounces at lists.famsi.org]
On Behalf Of Diane Shaw
Sent: lunes, 25 de enero de 2010 08:07 a.m.
To: aztlan at lists.famsi.org
Subject: [Aztlan] Help with course title "The Architecture of ..."

Hello all,

I'm having trouble coming up with an accurate course title and would
appreciate your input. Maybe we can even have some fun with it.

I teach architectural history in an architecture department.  The course
in question focuses on the architectural history of mostly Mexico and
Guatemala during three eras: PreColumbian, Spanish Colonial, and 20th C
Modernism and Identity Politics. Every title I come up with is too
cumbersome or outright wrong (complete the title "The Architecture of
...").  For example, "Mostly Mexico and Guatemala" is just dumb.  To my
students, "Central America" connotes the south of US focus, but is of
course wrong given Mexico is in North America.  "Latin America" is wrong,
given the PreColumbian era and the indigenous peoples focus that runs
through the whole course. And let's not even get into all things I don't
cover that could also be assumed within any of those titles.  But in an
era of soundbites and practical colloquialisms, course titles need to be
short.  (Hey, I'm not even striving for catchy!)

My training is in architectural history, where these three periods are not
linked.  I think that most Mayanists wouldn't touch Barragan and vice
versa but I've found the three-era focus works very well in developing a
richer context and particular themes.

Please forgive any cross-postings.  Thanks for all advice.

Diane Shaw
School of Architecture
Carnegie Mellon University




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