RLBcB035 Maya, Aztec and Inca Religions

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
PhDr. Dalibor Papoušek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Dalibor Papoušek, Ph.D.
Department for the Study of Religions – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. Kristýna Čižmářová
Supplier department: Department for the Study of Religions – Faculty of Arts
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! RLB35 Maya, Aztec and Inca Religions
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 80 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/80, only registered: 0/80, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/80
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course outlines religions in Mezoamerica and in the Andean region during the pre-Columbian period. It is focused on religions based on state organization, i.e. those of the Mayas, the Aztecs and the Incas. Regarding the fact that especially the religions of the Aztecs and the Incas followed a long previous development, a due attention is paid also to the "substrate" religions of the Olmecs, Teotihuacán and the Toltecs (Mezoamerica), and of Chavín, Paracas, Tiahuanaco, Nazca, Mochica and Chimor (Andean region). The course offers a basic survey of mythology, pantheons and ritual practices of mentioned religions.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to:
  • demonstrate the basic factual knowledge of the ancient Mesoamerican and Andean religions, especially those of the Mayas, the Aztecs, and the Incas;
  • apply the basic terminology used in the study of ancient Mesoamerican and Andean religions;
  • interpret key literary and archaeological sources connected with the topic;
  • characterize the typological category of ancient religions, including their specific features in pre-Columbian America.
    • Syllabus
    • Introduction to the course. General characteristics of ancient religions in America
    • The Olmecs: A cradle of Mesoamerican religions
    • The Mayas I: History of the Mayan civilization. Cosmology and the concept of time
    • The Mayas II: Main deities of the Mayan pantheon. The ritual role of Mayan rulers (Pacal's burial in Palenque)
    • Class discussion I: Popol Vuh
    • The Aztecs I: History of the Aztec civilization. Cosmology and the concept of time
    • The Aztecs II: Main deities of the Aztec pantheon. The Aztec mythology in a stone (Templo Mayor and the Calendar Stone)
    • Class discussion II: Nahua philosophy
    • The Incas I: History of the Inca civilization
    • The Incas II: Pantheon of the Inca religion
    • Class discussion III: The conquest of Mexico (Moctezuma versus Cortés).
    • Final test
    Literature
      required literature
    • KOVÁČ, Milan. Slnko jaguára :náboženský svet Olmékov, Mayov a Aztékov. Vyd. 1. Bratislava: Chronos, 2002, 394 s. ISBN 80-967138-6-8. info
    • KŘÍŽOVÁ, Markéta. Inkové : nejmocnější indiánský stát. Vyd. 1. Praha: Aleš Skřivan ml., 2006, 139 s. ISBN 8086493210. info
      recommended literature
    • Drew, David. Ztracené kroniky mayských měst. Praha: BB art 2001.
    • CARRASCO, Davíd. Náboženství Mezoameriky :kosmovize a obřadní centra. V českém jazyce vyd. 2. Praha: Prostor, 1999, 234 s. ISBN 80-85190-97-4. info
    • COE, Michael D., Dean R. SNOW and Elizabeth P. BENSON. Svět předkolumbovské Ameriky : kulturní atlas. Translated by Petra Andělová. Vyd. 1. V Praze: Knižní klub, 1997, 240 s. ISBN 8071765198. info
    Teaching methods
    Lectures; home readings examined electronically in three semestral minitests; panel discussions based on home readings; final written test; colloquial written commentary on chosen sources.
    Assessment methods
    Requirements for the colloquium:
  • final written test in the basic knowledge of the Mayan, Aztec, and Inca religions;
  • colloquial written commentary on chosen sources, including its defense.

    The final assessment includes: final test (100 points = 50%, limit 60 points); colloquial commentary (100 points = 50%, limit 60 points); participation in the classes, participation in class discussions, three semestral minitests in home readings (extra points added to the final test).
    • Language of instruction
    Czech
    Follow-Up Courses
    Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
    The course is taught once in two years.
    The course is taught: every week.
    The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2023.
    • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
    • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2025/RLBcB035