To review the different pathways toward states and urban settlements in distinct regions of Mesoamerica.
To compare and contrast early Mesoamerican cities and states, including differences in their modes of leadership and settlement plans.
To describe some of the cultural behaviors that were shared across ancient Mesoamerica.
To present the distinctive features of Mesoamerican writing systems, particularly that of the Classic Maya.
To recount the nature of the Aztec empire, including some of its complex economic underpinnings.
To outline the multiscalar nature of archaeological investigation and how archaeologists require observations from several spatial scales to understand the past.
