A historical perspective on Mexico in view of its current situation

Organized by: The University of Guadalajara at Los Angeles and UNAM-Los Angeles

Coordinators: Dr. Samuel Schmidt, Dr. José Luis Talancón E.

Objectives

• To give students an overview of the present-day realities of Mexico from an interdisciplinary perspective, which will entail covering the interconnected historical factors in the social, economic, scientific, cultural, environmental, migratory and political spheres which have shaped contemporary Mexico.

• To analyze the complex situation that the country faces today in the context of modern world history and based on an assessment of categories and concepts traditionally used in the social sciences.

• To review, in the light of current events, the nation's past with special attention to the legacies and factual mechanisms that contributed to the formation of the National State.

• To present a relative assessment of the country's expectations, realities, aspirations and opportunities, and how they may play out in the twenty-first century.

Methodology and support materials

The certificate program consists of 60 hours of instruction given in 15 sessions of three hours  each, plus 15 hours of complementary work to be completed outside the classroom. The hours devoted to theoretical instruction will focus on the research and the preparation of a final essay to obtain the course certificate issued by  UDGLA and UNAM-LA.

Participants will be given a collection of mandatory readings which they are expected to have read before each session, hence enabling them to participate more effectively and enriching the sessions.

Intended for: Staff of the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles, as well as the general public.

Location: Consulate General of Mexico, Los Angeles

Schedule: Wednesdays from 5 pm to 8 pm

Dates: August 31 - December 7

Course schedule

Session 1 (August 31). Perspectives on the transition in Mexico. The case of Oaxaca.

Session 2 (September 7). The water situation on the US-Mexico border.

Session 3 (September 14). A country of lies.

Session 4 (September 21). The situation of human rights in Mexico.

Session 5 (September 28). Present-day Mexican literature.

Session 6 (October 5). Democratic possibilities in Mexico.

Session 7 (October 12). Mexico's environmental risks.

Session 8 (October 19). National security and the United States.

Session 9 (October 26). The Mexican army and violence in Mexico.

Session 10 (November 2). Migrants and the 2012 election.

Session 11 (November 9). The campesino movement and globalization.

Session 12 (November 16). The role of Chicanos in shaping binational reality.

Session 13 (November 23). The issue of weapons in the political relationship between Mexico and the United States.

Session 14 (November 30). Elites and the future of Mexico.

Session 15 (December 7). A national agenda for 2012.

Cost:  $250 US per participant.

Information:

(213) 785-1313 UDGLA

(213) 627-3930 UNAM-LA