3b

I came across the topic of Toltec architecture through the youtube.com videos that were posted on week 3 Project a on the assignment list (the link to the video is below) I wanted to learn more about these monstrous pieces of architecture and how they were formed. This topic relates to the study of the Pre-Columbian time because it was in this era where the Toltec architecture formed and when the Toltecs dominated central Mexico.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNuhnS6FvF4&feature=related

I observed that the Toltecs usually use limestone in their buildings, that generally involve flat-roofed square column halls. Religion influenced the architecture with walls covered with pictures of jaguars, coyotes, eagles, or serpents. I interpreted that the architecture is simple, but foreboding. The Toltecs built large columns of fearsome warriors to induce fear is opposing armies. Through judgement, this architecture of the Pre-Columbian era looked unique, something I had never witnessed before. I wanted to learn more about the people and how they build these buildings. I thought the ceremonial halls and palaces were simple, yet beautifully constructed. I would like to know more about how these monstrosities were built through further questioning. I would also enjoy learning how long these structures took to be created. However, the Toltecs dominated central Mexico between the 10th and 12th century AD.

additonal resources: http://www.crystalinks.com/toltecs.html

week 3, project 3a

Pre-Columbian marked the beginning of significant cultures such as the great civilizations of the Aztecs, the Mayans, the Andes, and the Ecuadorian culutres. This era existed during 3500 BC. Life in the pre-columbian era for the Ecuador civilization was highly populated by a number of tribes that were always engaged in struggles with one another. Esmeralda, the Manta, and the Huancavilca and the Puna were four groups that were distinctivly, culturally related to each other. Most tribes consisted of hunters, farmers, fishermen, and traders. The Ecuadorian culture of the Pre-Columbian era came to an end when the Incas conquered Ecuador.
The Pre-Columbian civilizations produced urban settlements, monumental architecture, and examplary agricultural sites.

Topic: Aztec
The Aztec city, Teotihucan; the city, the people and culture, and their decline
Additional website: wikipedia
" 'Teotihuacan' is a Nahult name which translates as 'city where men become gods' " This specific civilization was the largest Pre-Columbian city in the Americas. It was larger that any city in Europe during the same time period. Teotihuacan housed as many as 200,000 people.

People of the Teotihuacan culture were multi-ethinic (through archaelogical evidence) with Otomi, Zapotec, Mixtec, and the Mayan peoples. Their religion was comparable to the Mesoamerican cultures. They worshipped the Feathered Serpent, and The Rain God. It was also their belief that the sun was created there.

The collapse Teotihuacan was burned down around 750 AD. Evidence shows that it was robbed and burnt by invaders (possibly the Toltecs). The temples, palaces, and "elite class" buildings showed specific burning. Droughts and malnutrition also was part of their decline.

2b art answers

Questions and Answers:
1. From Jessica Champagne- What was the museum director and the founder's names? Answer: director: Gregorio Luke, founder: Dr. Robert Gumbiner

2. From Jessica Champagne- When are the summer art classes? Answer: June 15 to August 31.

3. From Robyn Chase- Where is the museum located? Answer: Long Beach, CA

4 From Stephanie Gurry- Which Mexican sculptor's art exhibition was extended an additional three months because of it's popularity? Answer: Jorge Marin

5. From Malisa Franklin- Can you name one fo the artists in video 2? Answer: Laura Hernandez

2b art

1. MOLAA stands for museum of Latin American Art
2. The video clips are about educating American audiences on contemporary Latin American art. "The time hade come for a museum of contemporary Latin American art." -Robert Gumbiner. Video clip 2 is showing the Latin American art and the culture throughout pictures of the museum with Latino music. The artists are also labeled. In video clip 3 Megan Sherwood interviews Director Gregorio Luke about the museum.
3. Facts about video clip 1:
-the museum creates a better understanding of history of Latin American art.
-the museum uses improv, puppet theater, and hands on art workshops to make Latin American art more approachabe for all ages.
-most artists are still alive today and are well known ( Francisco Toledo)
Facts about clip 2:
-Laura Hernandez is an artist who created Man Element Water in 1997 with oil on paper mache.
-Diego Linares created Profile in 2002 by oil on canvas.
-David Alfaro Siqueiras created Revolution's Rural in 1958 with pyroxilinn wood
Facts about clip 3:
-Gregorio uke became involved in directing MOLLA ten years ago.
- MOLLA is a cultural landmark in Long Beach
-important pieces in MOLLA: basically painting and sculpture. The art is meant to be vibrant, exciting, and to represent contemporary art.
4. Questions about video clips:
video clip 1- Who is Jorge Marin?
video clip 2- Who created the Dissection of a pear ?
video clip 3- Do chidren get a chance at guided tours?

5. Three things I learned from the MOLAA website is that the museum was founded by Dr. Robert Gumbiner in Nov. 1996. Some upcoming exhibitions are from Wifredo Lam with "North America", and Caros Luna with "El Gran Mambo". Some cultural programs are, Charter Latino Film Festival, Master Art Classes, and an Exhibition Walk-thru with Carlos Luno.

2a Latin America Intro

A. Define Interdisciplinary Studies- Interdisciplinary Studies refers to studying several academic disciplines or fields of study.(1)
Researchers from different areas of study may come together to better understand a certain subject. (2)

B. Define Latin America- A geographic and cultural region with 18 Spanish speaking countries. (3) All Americas south of the United States are included in Latin America. It usually includes Central America, South America, Mexico, and the caribbean islands. (4)

C. Below are a listing of countries that make up Latin America:

Central America South America North America (5)
Belize Argentina Mexico
Costa Rica Boliva
El Salvador Brazil
Guatemala Chile
Honduras Colombia
Nicaragua Ecuador
Panama French Guiana
Guyana
Paraguy
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela

D. Below are a listing of countries that make up the Caribbean:(5)

Antigua & Barbuda Martinique
Aruba Puerto Rico
Bahamas St. Kitts & Nevis
Barbados St. Lucia
Cayman Islands St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Cuba Trinidad & Tobago
Dominica Turks & Caico\s Islands
Dominican Republic Virgin Islands
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Haiti
Jamaica

E. Here is a cool fact I I did not know about the Caribbean!

The Bahamas include 700 islands covering over one thousand square miles of Atlantic Ocean between South Florida and Hispaniola. However, people live on only 30 of these islands.(6)

F. Sources

1. wikipedia.org/wik/interdisciplinary-studies

2. educationindix.com

3. wikipedia.org/wiki/latin_america

4. answers.com/topic/latin-america

5. lanic.utexas.edu/subject/countries/

The sources utilized I believe are all reputable because they are widely used and relied upon. However, when using the source Wikipedia, you need to be careful because I have been told that some information added by the public is not edited for accuracy.

G. One thing I notice about my classmates is that for many of them, this is their first time blogging and/or making a webpage.

William and I are both distance swimmers for the JC and I just found out he's in this class.

Paul and I live about the same distance from the JC.

Project 1c

Stephanie currently lives in Peru. She states Freire's method promises to humanize each individual through critical action. She states Freire is famous for making reflection become action.

Trevor from Middletown, CA, says Freire is known for critical pedagogy and his dedication to education.

Project 1b

Freire studied phenomenology and never practiced law. He taught Portuguese in 1943. He is best known for critical pedigogy which helps students achieve critical consciousness. In 1986 he won a UNESCO Peace Prize for education. Five years later an institute was named after him to further his theories. Below are his three theories:

1. Theory of Value
2. Theory of Knowledge
3. Theory of Education


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulo_Freire

http://www.newfoundations.com/GALLERY/Freire.html