The Camino

The Camino monster course travels the roughly 500-mile pilgrimage route of the Camino Frances. Students will walk the path from St. Jean Pied-du-Port to Santiago de Compostela that millions have traveled since the end of the 9th century. Designated as the first Cultural Route of the Council of Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the route starts in France, crossing the Pyrenees and traveling through the vineyards, plains of wheat and sunflower, verdant hills, medieval villages, and storied cities of northern Spain. While founded as a Catholic pilgrimage, people walking the route today may be embarking on a personal challenge, wrestling with existential questions and life transitions, searching for an intentional community with more caring societal norms or journeying for a myriad of other reasons. Intertwined with the Camino’s religious, cultural, and personal significance is its role as an economic engine across the millennia. The Roman roads and forts are testament to its long standing economic significance. From the age of the Knights Templar through today, the Camino continues to be the economic lifeblood of the region and the small businesses, inns and villages along the route. The course has three primary components. First, students will investigate the human ecology of the Camino through modern and ancient readings, film screenings, visits to sites of historical and cultural significance, and interactions with pilgrims. These materials and interactions will inform group discussions, as well as papers, presentations and other deliverables. Second, to move students beyond their quotidian routine, participants will follow a guided plan of self-discovery, introspection, and reflection that will take place on and around their daily walks. These activities include a series of exercises, one-on-one meetings, and journaling. Finally, to dive deeper into their own Camino, students will conduct a capstone research project of their own design. Proposals, finalized early in the course, shall include the most appropriate means of communicating their findings, such as a research paper, in-depth presentation, or other modality. Whether students are interested in history, geography, commerce, sustainable tourism, art, human relations, spirituality, local foodways, or what it means to be human, this journey will provide ample fodder for a curious mind. Evaluation will be based on engagement with the course, participation in group discussions and meetings, quality of the various written and verbal assignments, and the capstone research project. There are no prerequisites or language requirements. However, some knowledge of Spanish is encouraged and can provide for a more enriching experience. Students must be capable of walking with a 20+ pound backpack over a variety of terrain for an average of 12.4 miles (20 km) per day. As this is a monster expeditionary course, space is limited and enrollment requires permission of the instructor.

Assessment will be based on evidence that the student has completed assignments and readings; conducted a substantive and thorough independent research project; as well as, active and meaningful participation in seminar discussions and other course activities.

Always visit the Registrar's Office for the official course catalog and schedules.