RLB35 Maya, Aztec and Inca Religions

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2013
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
PhDr. Dalibor Papoušek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. David Václavík, Ph.D.
Department for the Study of Religions – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Lucie Čelková
Supplier department: Department for the Study of Religions – Faculty of Arts
Timetable of Seminar Groups
RLB35/P: each even Thursday 10:50–12:25 J22, D. Papoušek
RLB35/K: Fri 1. 3. 14:10–15:45 J31, Fri 29. 3. 14:10–15:45 J31, Fri 26. 4. 14:10–15:45 J31, D. Papoušek
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 70 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/70, only registered: 0/70, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/70
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.
Main objectives of the course:
At the end of the course students should:
- be familiar with the basic factual knowledge of the ancient Mesoamerican and Andean religions, especially those of the Mayas, the Aztecs, and the Incas;
- be familiar with the basic terminology used in the study of ancient Mesoamerican and Andean religions;
- have the capacity of critical analyzing of basic literary and archaeological sources connected with the topic;
- deeper understand the typological category of ancient religions, including their specific features in pre-Columbian America.
Syllabus
  • (0) Introduction to the course. (1) General characteristics of ancient religions in both Americas. (2) The Olmecs: A cradle of Mesoamerican religions. (3) Tha Mayas I: History of the Mayan civilization. Cosmology and the concept of time. (4) The Mayas II: Main deities of the Mayan pantheon. The ritual role of Mayan rulers (Pacal's burial in Palenque). (5) Class discussion I: Popol Vuh. (6) The Aztecs I: History of the Aztec civilization. Cosmology and the concept of time. (7) The Aztecs II: Main deities of the Aztec pantheon. The Aztec mythology in a stone (Templo Mayor a the Calendar Stone). (8) Class discussion II: Nahua philosophy. (9) The Incas I: History of the Inca civilization. (10) The Incas II: Pantheon of the Inca religion. (11) Class discussion III: The conquest (Moctezuma versus Cortés). (12) Test in Mesoamerican and Andean ancient religions.
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
  • STINGL, Miloslav. Synové Slunce : sláva a pád největší indiánské říše. Praha: Práce, 1985, 378 s. info
    recommended literature
  • Drew, David. Ztracené kroniky mayských měst. Praha: BB art 2001.
  • VAILLANT, George Clapp. Aztékové : původ, vzestup a pád národa Aztéků. 1. vyd. Praha: Orbis, 1974, 254 s. 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, three class discussions based on home readings and individual written commentaries, final written test.
Assessment methods
Requirements for the colloquium:
(a) active participation in class discussions;
(b) written commentaries in given sources.
(c) written test in Mesoamerican and Andean ancient religions.
Language of instruction
Czech
Follow-Up Courses
Further Comments
The course is taught once in two years.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2002, Spring 2003, Spring 2004, Autumn 2005, Spring 2007, Spring 2009, Autumn 2010, Spring 2011, Autumn 2011, Spring 2015, Autumn 2018.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2013, recent)
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