Transformar Summer Leadership Institute

For hundreds of years, the myth of Aztlan have engulfed people who have not only pursue an understanding of the migration story of the tribes that migrated from the North (Aztlan) to the Central Valley in Mexico (Tenochtitlan), but also the deep connections that the U.S. Southwest has with Mexico.  Many scholars have written essays that talk about this myth and about these connections, including issues about identity, place, and belonging (Anaya, Lomeli, & De la Madrid at al, 2017)1.  This study abroad program aims at taking students to archaeological and colonial sites to better understand history and cultural attributes of Mexico Indigenous Culture. On this route students will visit Pueblos and archaeological sites that still contain collective memories about their history.  This program also promotes better understanding of Mexican Indigenous culture, identity and ancient archaeostronomical places like Teotihuacan, and xochicalco as a way of understanding the level of development achieved by Mesoamerican cultures.  In addition, students will learn about the ancient connections that People from Central Mexico have had with New Mexico.  As part of this program, emphasis will be placed on visiting historical places like Xochicalco, Malinalco, Teotihuacan, and others.  In these archaeological sites, students will learn about the stories and significance of this places.  In addition, participants will visit museums in Mexico City, as well  as significant landmarks in Mexico.



Learning objectives

To learn about the indigenous culture of the people of Central Mexico

To revisit ancient myths and contemporary stories associated to the indigenous peoples of Mexico

To connect the history and culture of Central Mexico to the US Southwest

[1] Rudolfo Anaya, Francisco A. Lomeli, & Enrique R. LaMadrid, (Editors) (2017). Aztlan on the Chicano Homeland.  University of New Mexico Press and Expanded Edition (2017)