Northeastern State University

Political Science 4153

Mexico Travel-Study (May Intersession 2008)

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Professor Ron Becker               Office Location: SH 313             Office Hours: TBA

Office Phone: ex. 3512             Email: beckerrw@nsuok.edu

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Course Description: The Mexico Travel-Study is a three credit course in comparative government. Comparative government is the subfield of political science that compares, contrasts and seeks generalizations concerning the various political systems among the world’s nations. Of course, the best way to learn about a foreign nation is to go there.

Thus, the essence of this course will consist of a three week trip to “Mexico City and Beyond.” All students enrolled for credit must participate in the classroom preparation held here at NSU immediately before departure, so as to be fully prepared for the travel-study.

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Travel-Study: Most of the participants in this travel-study will have had no previous experience traveling in a foreign country, much less traveling over extended time and place with a group. Those with experience know that there are likely to be some difficulties to overcome. So, in order to ensure that this trip is a good experience for all, here are a few rules that must be acknowledged up front.

· Students must try their utmost to maintain a good attitude. When traveling in a group every individual cannot always have everything his or her own way. Generally, the faculty supervisor will try to accommodate the will of the majority, but this may not always be the case (an "appeal to the majority" is, of course, a common fallacy). The faculty supervisor has considerable experience with foreign travel, and knows Mexico fairly well.

· All student participants in the travel-study are obligated to behave as responsible adults, with continuous respect for one another, respect for their (much too liberal) faculty supervisor and respect for the Mexican people, laws and mores. Students should keep in mind that they will be perceived as representatives of the United States, and must conduct themselves accordingly.

· When there is free-time in the schedule students are expected to report their whereabouts to the faculty supervisor.

· Students should always travel with a companion and never wander around alone.

· Excessive drinking is unacceptable; no student will have contact with illegal drugs.

· When group activities are scheduled students must be prepared, appear on time and remain with the group. Group meetings and discussion sessions will be regularly scheduled and must be attended. Visits to tourist attractions are optional. The travel-study is intended as an educational experience above all else, so educational activities will have preference over nonacademic pursuits. A detailed itinerary will be provided.

 

Those who cannot accept these terms should not be a part of the trip, and the faculty supervisor reserves the right to dismiss any member of the group whose behavior is detrimental to the group’s well-being (this has never happened in the instructor’s previous trips, although once a couple of students got so home-sick that they decided on their own to give-up and fly home -- we will discuss “culture shock,” which is an interesting phenomenon and real possibility for some).

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Course Requirements and Grades: Travel-Study Assignments will consist of

[1] Participation in regularly scheduled discussion meetings (25%) [2] A travel journal

(25%) [3] A quantitative paper that will test an hypothesis based on original data collected by each student (25%) and [4] a final exam (25%).

 

The paper topic and hypothesis should be selected after consultation with the instructor-- the most common methods of data collection will be surveys, interviews and observation.

The travel journal will take the form of lecture notes combined with reflections upon our daily experiences and observations in Mexico. The journal is not a diary. “Today I did my laundry and ate lots of tacos” does not count as reflective thought. The theme of the journal should be an evaluation of the Mexican people, society and culture. Obviously, comparative evaluations based upon one’s own culture will be natural. But in addition to this, students are expected to integrate their thoughts on Mexico with their own individual areas of academic interest, e.g., politics, psychology, sociology, criminal justice, business, geography, history, communications or economics. In any case, the most fundamental question for students of contemporary Mexican society and politics to ponder is whether the effort to build a modern independent Mexico has been a success or failure. In the course of the past one hundred years the Mexican nation has attempted to gain control of its own destiny. Is the present Mexican nation headed in the correct direction of development, or are the Mexicans headed down the wrong track? For this assignment students are encouraged to collect and share readings from English language newspapers and magazines at our discussion meetings.

 

For all the assignments students are encouraged to politely talk with Mexican citizens and ask questions about modern Mexico. The travel-journal and paper will be due three days after we return home.

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Required and Recommended Readings: Selections from the following readings will be distributed via email, handed-out in class or made available on library reserve; some required readings may be available at the bookstore:

 

Roderic Camp, Politics in Mexico (2007)

Michael Coe, Mexico: From Olmecs to the Aztecs (1994)

B. De Las Casas, A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies (1542)

Bernal Diaz del Castillo, The Discovery & Conquest of Mexico (1575)

Hernan Cortes, Letters From Mexico (1519-1526)

T.R. Fehrenbach, Fire and Blood: A History of Mexico (1995)

W.H. Prescott, The Conquest of Mexico (1843)

Ramon Ruiz, The Great Rebellion: Mexico 1905-1924 (1980)

Ramon Ruiz, Triumph & Tragedy: A History of the Mexican People (1992)

H. Thomas, Conquest: Montezuma, Cortes, and the Fall of Mexico (1993)

 

 

 

 

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Learning Objectives:

 

Most of us in the United States know almost nothing about the large country on our southern border. This is remarkable since Mexico is the world's largest Spanish-speaking country, the second largest trading partner of the United States, and the 13th largest country in the world by size with the 14th largest economy. Mexico gave rise to the world’s first socialist revolution. Mexico was the first developing country to ever host the Olympics. Nearly one-half of Mexico’s territory was taken by the United States in war. And today, about ten percent of Mexican citizens live (legally or illegally) in the United States. Isn’t it about time that we take some notice of our southern neighbor? The deep and growing integration of the two countries in NAFTA, growing talk about a North American Union, and escalating border conflict seem to make a better understanding of Mexico critical.

 

The Mexico Travel-Study is designed to provide a basic introduction into the history, culture and politics of Mexico. Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

 

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Mexico Travel-Study Itinerary:

 

Visiting the tourist attractions listed below is entirely optional, refer to “course requirements” above, and some of the attractions are not free. In Mexico City, we will walk as much as possible and use the Metro train or city bus when necessary. A ride on the Metro train costs 25 cents, the city bus costs 10 cents.   

 

Day One Required two-hour class meeting at NSU Tahlequah Campus.

 

Day Two  Drive to Tulsa. Fly to Mexico City. Mexico City is probably the world’s largest city with a population exceeding twenty million, and certainly one of the world’s

greatest cultural centers. The city is situated in the Valley of Mexico, 7,300 feet above

sea level between snow-capped mountains and volcanoes. The city has reduced the crime

rate in recent years, yet we must be wary of pickpockets in crowds, especially on the

metro-train, and students will be given instruction on taxi cab scams. (Of course, you

should not drink the tap water, which includes ice in drinks! It is also advised that you

brush your teeth with bottled water.)

 

Our group will be staying at the Hotel and Hostel Catedral three blocks from the historic Zocalo (the largest public square in the Western hemisphere). Because of the favorable exchange rate, those who decide to stay at the Hotel Catedral (all brass and glass) are likely to pay a nightly room rate around $20 per person, per night (with four to a room). The Hostel Catedral will be a cheaper option for students. The hostel rents bunk beds for about $10 per student per night, with up to eight persons in a room sharing a common living room, kitchen and laundry room. At the hotel and hostel rooms may be mixed gender or same gender depending on the desires and composition of our group. Breakfast or lunch in an average Mexican restaurant will cost $5, McDonald’s hamburgers cost about $1, and cheaper food is available on practically every corner.

 

We will stay in Mexico City for the first thirteen days of our trip and we will try to visit as many of the main cultural attractions as we can given such little time. Upon arrival we will have a reception and dinner at the hotel, followed by a walking tour of the downtown district including a stop at La Nueva Opera (10 Avenida Cinco de Mayo); probably the most famous cantina in Mexico, and certainly the most historic. Every Mexican celebrity has sipped tequila or a beer here, but the most famous of all is revolutionary hero, Pancho Villa, who blew a bullet hole into the ceiling when he galloped in on a horse back in 1910. The hole is still there and the barman will be pleased to point it out.

 

Day Three  After our morning conference, we will have a walking tour of the Zocalo,

Alameda Park and the Latin American Tower.

 

Day Four  After our morning conference, we will visit the tomb of Cortes and the Aztec’s Templo Mayor Pyramid.

 

Day Five  After our morning conference, we will begin work on our research papers.

 

Day Six  After our morning conference, we will visit Chapultepec Park which includes

the world famous Anthropology Museum, the National History Museum, the Castle &

the Mexico City Zoo.

 

Day Seven  After our morning conference, we will watch a film, continue work on our research papers, and maybe find time to do laundry.

 

Day Eight  After our morning conference, we will visit the Trotsky Museum and ride the

Gondolas at the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco.

 

Day Nine After our morning conference, we will visit the market at Balderas, then spend

the evening at the Zona Rosa (Hard Rock Cafe, etc.).

 

Day Ten After our morning conference, students will have the day off for rest and

research. When going around town, students shall not travel alone.

 

Day Eleven  After our morning conference, we will make a day-trip to Teotihuacan, the

site of the Pyramid of the Sun (the largest pyramid in the Western hemisphere), the

Pyramid of the Moon and the Street of the Dead.                                                              

 

Day Twelve  After our morning conference, some of us will go to the Shrine of The Virgin of Guadalupe, while the fatigued may rest, or continue their research. This shrine commemorates the 1531 visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Juan Diego in Guadalupe, Mexico. The image of Mary remains intact on St. Juan Diego’s original cloak and is preserved in the cathedral. Millions of pilgrims from all over the world visit the cathedral to pray for healing and renewal.

 

Day Thirteen  After our morning conference, we will watch a film, and visit the National Palace. The National Palace continues to be the official seat of the executive authority, although it is no longer the official residence of the President. Here we will find a tribute to Benito Juárez, the old Parliamentary Chamber of Deputies, and some enormous Diego Rivera murals depicting and celebrating the history of Mexico.

   

Day Fourteen  After our morning conference, we will continue our research, then do laundry, pack-up and get ready for an early departure.

 

Day Fifteen  Mexico City to Guadalajara, a nine hour, 400 mile bus ride, through a

volcanic mountain chain into the Spanish colonial heartland of Mexico. “The City of

Roses” is the second largest city in Mexico with a population of about five million people. The city is known for its distinctive Spanish heritage, historical importance during the war of independence, low cost of living, bull fights and mariachi bands. The city is very clean, safe and well ordered. Our group will stay in the historic center which is, of course, the tourist center, situated amongst the four great plazas of the city.

 

Day Sixteen  After our morning conference, we will visit the largest market in Latin America, the Mercado Libertad (this is the place where we can shop until we drop). The Regional History Museum is also outstanding. We will most likely remain in Guadalajara for only one day as this is primarily a rest stop on the journey to Puerto Vallarta.  

 

Day Seventeen  Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta, a six hour, 250 mile ride, down from the mountains to the tropical climate of the Pacific coast. Puerto Vallarta is a world class resort town located on Mexico’s largest bay, the Bay of Flags. We will stay in a small downtown hotel along the Malecon (sea side city road) on the beach with rooms looking out on the ocean for about $23 per night (with four to a room).

 

Day Eighteen to Day Twenty After each morning’s intensive study-group session, we will continue our research by observing the gold-sand beaches, “Gringo Gulch” shops, tropical islands and jungle waterfalls, while sailing, deep-sea fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and touring the area on a cruise ship. In our final few days we will have time to relax, sit in the cafes, observe, think, read, write, work on our research papers and prepare for the return to Oklahoma (sailing, deep-sea fishing and the cruise ship are optional and these activities will most likely not be free, see course requirements). 

 

Day Twenty-One   Fly from Puerto Vallarta to Tulsa.

 

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For U.S. citizens, proof of citizenship with photo ID is required for travel to Mexico.

A passport is now required.

 

Estimated Minimum Travel Expenses (Twenty Days in Mexico)

Air Fare (round-trip)                                                                 $350

Bus Fare                                                                                  $ 75

Hostel & Hotel Room (13 nights x $10) (6 nights x $23)           $268

Food (20 days x $15) $300                                                      $300   

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Estimated Total Cost                                                                $993

 

(These estimated minimum travel expenses do not include the three credit NSU tuition fee required for all participants. Visiting tourist attractions is optional and some are not free, see course requirements. Participants who prefer to hire taxi cabs to and from airports and bus stations, instead of using the city bus or metro-train, should budget an addition $100. Those who want to eat in expensive restaurants every day and go to night clubs every night should budget another $1,000. Souvenirs are also not free, although according to the vendors they are “almost free.”)

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