Introduction

From its magnificent pre-Hispanic pyramids, and the splendor of its colonial churches and palaces, to today’s massive city (the largest in North America), Mexico City has long been beloved for its multicultural richness. Catholic University students have the opportunity to experience firsthand the storied history and culture of Mexico City by climbing the majestic pyramids in Teotihuacan, attending Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, experiencing a performance at its exuberant Palace of Fine Arts, and more.
 

Academics

Students engage in a hands-on experience by conducting guided visits to historical and cultural sites; completing readings before each visit; giving brief, on-site presentations; and completing a graphic journal of the weeklong experience.

Long before it was nicknamed the “City of Palaces” in the 18th century, Mexico City was first known as Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Mexica-Aztec Empire, which was founded in 1325. With the arrival of the Spaniards led by Hernan Cortes in 1519, the city underwent a historical transformation from its pre-Hispanic splendor to become one of the largest, richest, and ethnically diverse urban centers in the Americas. This interdisciplinary course provides an introduction to the history and culture of Mexico City, in general, and an in-depth study of literary texts written about the city, in particular. We will analyze texts such as the pre-Hispanic poems known as Cantares Mexicanos, the chronicles that recorded the conquest of Mexico, the Nican Mopohua (first nahuat account of the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe), the poetry and prose of baroque poet Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, and works by modern authors such as Carlos Fuentes, Elena Poniatowska, Rosario Castellanos, and Nobel Laureate Octavio Paz.

Accommodation & Meals

Participants will stay in hotels vetted for quality, safety, and location. Most breakfasts and lunches will be included.