The futures of Mexico and the United States are now bound up more closely than ever. Yet Mexico enters this future with a much different past and, compared to our own, its political system still obeys some very different rules. What are the legacies of the expiring PRI system? Can Mexico overcome a tradition of political corruption? Can Mexico become "modern," as so many of its leaders have said it should, and still be Mexico? After a survey of Mexican political history, this course explores several themes of current interest: North American Free Trade and neo-liberal development strategy; problems of the countryside; foreign relations; changes in religious practices and beliefs; law enforcement; the hyper-urbanization of Mexico City; immigration and border issues; new indigenous identities and armed conflict; and the inter-penetration of Mexican and North American cultures. Format: lecture/discussion. Requirements: a short mid-term paper and the choice of either another short paper and a regular final exam, or a 12- to 15-page research paper and a short exam. No prerequisites. Open to first-year students with Advanced Placement credit in Comparative Politics. Enrollment limit: 39. Priority given to Political Science majors. Comparative Politics Subfield