Why do we walk—and what do we discover along the way? Spanning Spain, Portugal, Latin America, and the U.S.–Mexico Borderlands, this seminar explores walking as a physical act and metaphor for transformation, pilgrimage, protest, and self-discovery. Through literature, film, journalism, music, murals, and architecture, we’ll examine how creative and political figures—from Cervantes to Neruda, and from Afro-Brazilian pilgrims to contemporary migrants—have navigated landscapes and life’s journey. Optional walks, community engagement, and intergenerational discussions offer students a unique opportunity to reflect on their own paths while connecting with broader human stories. Engaging and interdisciplinary, the course highlights the power of walking to shape art, culture, and identity across time and space.
Meet Your Instructor
MELISSA A. FITCH is a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. Her research explores global representations of Latin American popular culture. A two-time Fulbright Scholar (to Hong Kong and India) and National Endowment for the Humanities recipient, she is the author of multiple books and has received many of the university’s most prestigious teaching awards, including the UA Five Star Teaching Award and the Global Excellence Award. Her passion for teaching and global inquiry animates all her work.
Location
POETRY CENTER
Dorothy Rubel Room
1508 E Helen
Tucson, AZ 85721
United States
Located on the SE corner of Helen Street and Vine Avenue, one block north of Speedway and three blocks west of Campbell Ave.
