Maya Humanities

Project Summary :

• The main goal of the project was that the students were able to critically reflect on the difference between thinking about Maya Writers as "objects" of study and as "subjects" to learn from. The students started with introducing themselves on Facebook. Students in Yucatan posted photos of "Maya" spaces in the city of Merida and the students in the U.S selected a poem from a Maya poet and explained why it was important to them - All posts were translated by the professor.
• Students in both classes interpreted and performed a play by a Maya writer, made videos and later exchanged them. Three synchronous meetings were conducted discussing various readings, the recorded plays, and the experience of the virtual collaboration overall.

Project Length:

• Approximately 9 Weeks

• Polycom
• Zoom
• iPhone Video Recordings
• Private Facebook Group 
• Box

Interaction Mode :

• Synchronous 
  
• Asynchronous

Learning Outcomes :

• Students will be able to critically reflect on the difference between thinking about the Maya writers as "objects" of study and as "subjects" to learn from. 
  
• Students will be able to identify linkages between the Monte/Milpa agricultural system and a system of Maya values and ethics. 
• Students will compare and contrast the varying "gazes" (Miradas) brought by the diversity of students present in both Universities. 

Reflection Component :

• Students created Facebook posts reflecting on the experience, in addition to in-class reflections/dialogue, facilitated and translated by the two professors. Students shared deeply personal reflections connecting their family heritage to the materials and the experience of working with peers abroad, where both sets of students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.