This course is a survey of religious and spiritual traditions in Mesoamerica, spanning from the pre-Columbian period to the present. The objective of this class is to develop an understanding of religion as a cultural and social process contributing to the formation of complex societies in Mesoamerica. As students are immersed in the material culture and social landscapes of the region various topics will emerge in relation to our analysis of Mesoamerican religious and spiritual systems. These topics include views on ecology and the environment, rituals related to agriculture, fertility, and natural phenomena, impact of Spanish colonization on Mesoamerican religious practices, syncretism and the blending of indigenous and European religious beliefs, and the influence of Mesoamerican religion on modern Mexican and Central American cultures and diasporic communities with roots in this region This course is hosted at the Chicano Studies Program (CHIC 4350), and will be cross-listed with History (HIST 3390), Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS 4350), Sociology (SOC 3341), and Anthropology (ANTH 4370). It offers three credit hours, making it an attractive option for students who face financial restrictions and family responsibilities, limiting their opportunities to travel. Typically, UTEP students are first-generation, have family responsibilities, are employed and cannot afford to take time off work. This program, with its two-week duration and relatively low cost, allows students to attend without risking their financial stability. Lodging will take place through homestays in the Mayan Zone, giving students the opportunity to practice Spaniand take Mayan language lessons, develop intercultural skills.