Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan

  Mexico

• Yucatan Peninsula: 
Merida

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer 
Dates: TBA

Description: Academic program: A full program consists of three or four courses at the Universidad Autonoma and one or two program courses.

Mandatory Advanced Spanish Grammar, Composition and Conversation (4 credits): This is a mandatory class for all students on the Merida program. Its aim is to assist program participants in the development of communicative competence at the advanced level, with emphasis on both oral and written skills on formal and informal levels; the acquisition of enhanced vocabulary; and pronunciation with minimal interference from English. Discussions, presentations and weekly essays that focus in part upon Mexican and Latin American subject matter will be utilized.

Contemporary Politics of Mexico (3 credits): This course examines the civilian-led authoritarian regime that ruled Mexico in aftermath of the Mexican Revolution through the election of Vicente Fox in 2000; it analyses the country's dual transition to economic and political liberalism in the late twentieth century; and it explores a series of complex domestic and foreign policy challenges confronting Mexico's infant multiparty democracy in the new global era.

Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan: As is the case with most universities in Latin America, the University's buildings are spread around the city. UADY has l5 facultades or colleges and a research institute. It has one general and 18 specialized college libraries. It has 71 academic programs in sciences and humanities. Public transportation for travel between these facilities in Merida is inexpensive and safe. As a student at UADY, you will have access to all the facilities available to regular students.

IFSA-Butler students may choose to take classes from a variety of Facultades, although most will probably want to concentrate their studies in the Facultad de Antropologia in which the courses in history, literature and linguistics, anthropology and social anthropology are offered. The UADY has an active commitment to archaeology and anthropology because of its location among some of the most interesting sites in the country. UADY is involved in archaeological projects that students who wish to explore this option as part of their coursework will find very appealing.

Classes are generally worth 3 semester credit hours; a full load consists of 3 or 4 university classes, the program advanced Spanish class and the program class in Mexican politics, Democracy in Contemporary Mexico.

The University offers a full range of coursework in the areas of anthropology, social anthropology, linguistics, history, literature, social communications, psychology, economics, business administration, biology, and nutrition (including public health).

Highlights: Once a thriving Mayan commercial center, the city of Merida was built by the Spaniards in the mid-l500's and became the center of civil and religious authority of the Yucatan peninsula. Nearby Chitzen Itza, one of the finest Mayan archaeological sites in Mexico, is estimated to have been built between the 5th and l2th centuries AD. The Mayan influence can be appreciated in everyday life, from the lovely huipiles (dresses) and embroidered cotton smocks to the different types of spices and foods that are consumed as part of ntheir diverse and wonderfully rich diet. The Mayan language is still spoken.

The capital city of the State of Yucatan, Merida now boasts a population of approximately 800,000. It's development can be traced to the international demand for sisal, or hemp for rope and twine. Henequen plants,the source of this product, thrived in the soil around Merida, and in the late l800's a plantation culture emerged. Wealthy planters sent their children to study in Europe; the port town of Progreso (about a 25 minute bus ride from downtown) was built to accommodate both the commerce and traveling Yucatecos", and Merida became the jewel of the Yucatan peninsula.

Today Merida offers the advantages of being a medium sized town, with relative safety and a pleasant atmosphere. Students can expect to avoid most of the difficulties facing the major cities. Downtown Merida is easy to maneuver and to walk in especially on Sundays when the streets around the main plaza are closed to automobiles, people dress up in their best clothes, walk around the plaza and enjoy the outdoor cafes.Central Merida has many lovely colonial buildings. Merida's location provides easy access to other cities, small pueblos and villages. For weekend excursions in addition to the archaeological sites, there are beaches nearby and major sites of environmental and ecological interest, such as the biosphere, one of the few breeding areas of the American pink flamingo.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Experience Required: no