Class Description
Walking is not simply a physical activity but also an important cultural practice. This course explores what it means to move through the world at walking pace. Drawing together lived experience with literary texts from the nineteenth century to the present day, this class will include discussions of topics such as creativity, freedom, sexuality, disability, and activism, along with short pedestrian excursions that put theory into practice. This course is designed to be accessible to everyone—walkers and rollers at any pace are welcomed.
Trish Bredar holds a PhD in English and has taught literature courses at the University of Notre Dame and Northwestern University. When not cooped up with her books, she is an avid hiker and city walker.
What to Expect
Format: In Person
Class Capacity: 24
Class Style: Mix of lecture and discussion; participation encouraged
Materials List
Required
- Rebecca Solnit, Wanderlust: A History of Walking. Penguin, 2000. ISBN: 9780140286014
- Digital Course Packet
Recommended
First Reading
- For the first session, read chapters 6-8 of Rebecca Solnit’s Wanderlust (approximately 50 pages) and lines 1-107 of William Wordsworth’s The Prelude, Book I in the Digital Course Packet.
A Brief Syllabus
- Wandering: discussion on the prototypical Romantic wanderer and a short stroll in Washington Square Park
- Striding: discussion on the concept of “power” and a purposeful excursion (destination TBD)
- Unwalking: discussion on disability scholarship and creating a map of a walk
- Streetwalking: discussion on urban walking and a guided stroll along Rush and/or Michigan Ave
- Marching: discussion on the politics of walking and final reflections
Cost and Registration
5 Sessions, $200 ($180 for Newberry members, seniors, and students). Learn about becoming a member.
We offer our classes at three different price options: Regular ($200), Community Supported ($185), and Sponsor ($215).
Following the models of other institutions, we want to ensure that our classes are accessible to a wider audience while continuing to support our instructors. You may choose the price that best fits your situation when registering through Learning Stream.
To register multiple people for this class, please go through the course calendar in Learning Stream, our registration platform. When you select the course and register, you’ll be prompted to add another registrant.
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