College of Visual Arts

Maya Art and Culture

Lecture Outlines

Dr. Sue Short

Spring Semester 2007


Unit 1:  Maya Cultural Background

Introduction to culture study; types of societies

Maya overview

Maya natural environment

Origins of Maya culture

Subsistence and Trade

Social organization and political systems

Ideology and cosmology

        Popol Vuh

Astronomy and calendar 

Maya writing

Unit 2:  Pre-classic to Late Classic periods

Preclassic period

        Cerros

Early Classic period

I:  Background and the rise of Tikal.

II:  Tikal and other cities:  Rio Azul, Calakmul, Becan; the end of Tikal's dominance.

Late Classic Period

        Late Classic I:  Caracol, Dos Pilas, Naranjo

        Late Classic II:  Yaxchilan, Bonampak, Tikal

        Late Classic III:  Palenque, Copan, Quirigua: 

Review #2

Unit 3:  Terminal Classic to Post-classic

Terminal Classic Period

Post-classic Period 1

Post-classic Period 2 and Spanish Conquest

Synthesis:

Ceramics 

Artifacts, Wood Sculpture, and Murals 

Architecture and Stone Sculpture      


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Page last revised:  April 25, 2007 13:54

Note:  These class web pages were created by Sue Short as teaching tools in her classes and have not been reviewed or officially approved by the College of Visual Arts.  These materials are provided strictly for educational purposes.