KIN 355 - Topics: Movement and Culture (FEE) (1)

Throughout history and across the world, people have adventurously journeyed beyond the boundaries of the familiar to distant destinations believed to be profoundly inspiring and sacred-the homes of divinities, saintly relics, and supernatural occurrences. Whether questing to see and be present in such auspicious centers that often embody cultural ideals and desires or to be formed by the challenging journey itself, pilgrims leave home in hope of some experience or power that might make right or gain a unique perspective upon a problem that cannot be solved otherwise. These pilgrimages involve physical practices, hardship, and physical challenges, in the service of emotional and spiritual growth. Pilgrimage: El Camino de Santiago invites students to embark on a two-week long trek across Northern Spain along the historic “Way of St. James,” exploring the role that physical activity plays in pilgrimage. Students will also explore architecture, culture, and history of medieval and modern Spain within the context of pilgrimage. In Spain, students will be responsible for giving mini-tours of assigned sites in Spain, working in groups analyzing travel narrative guides, and journaling about their own pilgrimage experience. Students will also have the opportunity to walk the last 50 miles of the Camino into Santiago de Compostela over three days (about 6 hours of walking per day). In doing so, students will explore how cultures of movement are fully embedded within practices for social, emotional, spiritual, and psychological wellbeing.

Course Cost: $4,150; Total course cost may be reduced by up to 75% with InAct funding. Apply via the InAct Portal by April 1, 2024. Nonrefundable deposit of $150 due April 15, 2024 for all 24-25 off-campus courses. Students must be in good academic, disciplinary, and financial standing with the College at the time of registration and one month prior to the beginning of the course. Details of this policy are available in the catalogue. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and completion of any FYW seminar This course is pre-approved for transcript notation in the Ingenuity in Action category, Global Connections. To participate and earn notation of completion on your transcript, please complete the Ingenuity in Action application.