Modern Mexican Society: Modern Mexican Society

This course is an introduction to the social, economic, and political development of modern Mexico. We will trace these processes, from the mid 19th century to our days, through the eyes and words of novelists and essayists (Fanny Calderón de la Barca, Mariano Azuela, Octavio Paz, Juan Rulfo, Carlos Fuentes, Rosario Castellanos, Elena Poniatowska, Carlos Monsiváis, Subcomandante Marcos, Alma Guillermoprieto, and others), whose depiction of Mexican society is often sensitive, accurate, and fun. Through the analyses of these works, students will explore the complexity of Mexican society and gain a clearer understanding of current issues facing the country’s leaders, including how to approach globalization, how to constructively integrate its economy with that of the U.S. through NAFTA, how to assess the impact of migration of undocumented workers, and how to confront drug violence.