The Use of Public Space in Mexico

Past and Present

The 3 Elements of Culture

In foreign language teaching we attempt to help our students understand culture by breaking it down into the following three elements:

Products – the “what” of a culture

Practices – the “how” of a culture

Perspectives – the “why” of a culture

Products

The products of a culture are “what” the people of the culture produce.

These products can be tangible or intangible

For example: food, celebrations, clothing, art, literature, educational or legal systems

Practices

The practices of a culture are the “how” something is done.

For example: What people do

How they interact with each other

How they celebrate

How they act

Perspectives

The perspectives of a culture is the “why” behind “what” products they produce and the “why” behind the “how” of their practices. It is the way people think. It is the attitudes, beliefs, or values of a culture.

For example: Why is Mexican candy covered in chili powder?

Why are tortillas served with every meal?

The 3 Elements of Culture

We will use these three criteria to not only understand the overall concept of the use of public space, but also to understand each “product” or “practice” listed for the past and present and the “perspective” behind it.

Questions to Ponder

What is/was done there? Why?

What happens/happened there? Why?

How are/were these public spaces used? Why?

Who do/did we see there? Why?

Who uses/used these spaces? Why?

The Past

Pyramids/Temples

Ceremonial Centers

Markets/Workshops

Gathering places

Ball courts

Gardens/Farming

The Present

Churches/Monasteries/Convents

Universities

Parks

Markets

Museums

Government Buildings

Restaurants/Cafés

The Use of Public Space in the United States

A Comparison

Questions to Ponder

What do we see here in the US in our public spaces today, in the past?

How are these public spaces used today, in the past?

In what ways are/were they used?

Why do we use them in this way?