The first week (4-5 days) will be spent in Lima, as a means to acclimatize to the new environment and learn about both the portrayal of Indigeneity in official, state-sponsored institutions such as the Museo Nacional and the LUM (Lugar de la Memoria, la Tolerancia y la Inclusión Social), as well as to see manifestations of Indigenous culture in the capital city (hence for instance an opportunity to see a performance of folk dance at the Brisas de Titicaca, a focal point of indigenous culture in Lima). Other field trips will examine the colonial heritage in the city, while readings will encompass not only an overview of Peru’s history, but also a consideration of the role of intellectuals and civil servants (so-called letrados) in constructing an image of the country and its Indigenous inhabitants.
After a few days in Cusco (where we will arrive in time for the Corpus Christi festival, visit colonial churches and other institutions, and perhaps take in a football game), the next four weeks will be spent in or near Pisac, a town at the head of the so-called Sacred Valley (through which the Urubamba River flows) that leads from near the former Inca capital of Cusco to the renowned citadel of Machu Picchu. Pisac itself is a market town with many Indigenous communities nearby, and with its own archaeological site, as well as being one step in the contemporary tourist route that has transformed the area in recent years.
From our base in Pisac, we will undertake field trips to nearby rural communities, as well as a two or three-day trip to Machu Picchu itself, with the option of other, briefer trips to other sites in or near the Sacred Valley, such as Ollantaytambo (en route to Machu Picchu), Sacsayhuamán (near Cusco), Calca, Moray, and Maras (all a day trip away from Pisac). The culmination of the course will be attendance at the festival of Inti Raymi (“Festival of the Sun”), the most important annual festivity in Cusco, and one of the most important festivals of the entire Andean region, which takes place on June 24.
Then, after 2-3 days back in Lima, where we will exchange concluding thoughts and impressions of the entire experience—and perhaps screen the results of the video assignment—we will return home (or those who wish to continue with independent, onward travel elsewhere in the region may do so).
Seminars (as well as guest lectures etc.) will take place mostly in Pisac at the Pisac Inn. In Lima, we may meet at our hotel and/or use facilities that belong either to the Universidad Católica or to the Instituto de Estudios Peruanos for meeting space (and again arrange a block booking of lodging in a convenient location). We will find similar space in Cusco.
As an experiential learning course, this course will achieve the standard contact hours through a mix of formal seminars and a series of activities in the field led by the instructor.
Throughout, typically, we will gather for formal instruction (mostly in seminar format) three days a week, meeting for up to two hours in the morning and two in the afternoon (40-60 total hours of seminar instruction). Other instruction will take place as part of field trips (in visits to local communities, archaeological sites, museums, markets, cultural events, and so on). Time when we are not formally meeting together will be available for personal study (reading set texts, writing written responses and blog posts, working on written assignments, preparing the video assignment); it is expected that students will spend on average at least 4-5 hours per day in personal study, which includes cultural and sociological observation in the neighbouring environment. They will document both their responses to their readings and their cultural and travel observations. Days that we have no formal instruction (and are not travelling to a field trip) are also available for independent activities, local trips, and relaxation.
May 23: Arrive in Lima and initial orientation
May 24-27: Classes and visits / field trips in Lima
May 28: Fly to Cusco
Flight A: Latam 2003. 0500-0620 (Ana, Andree, Anja Annie, Adam, Emma, Julia, Orla… and Ben, Caroline, Gabriel, Grace, Jon, Morgan, Niki)
Flight B: Jetsmart 7029. 0455-0618 (Cissy, Daniel, Emily, Julian, Steven, Yasmin)
May 29 – June 6: Classes and visits / field trips in Cusco, including attendance at Corpus Christi festival
June 6: Bus/taxi to Pisac
June 6-17: Classes and visits / field trips in Pisac
June 18: Bus to Ollantaytambo
June 19: Train to Aguas Calientes / Machu Picchu village
June 20: Visit and tour of Machu Picchu archaeological site
June 21: Return to Pisac
June 24: To Cusco for Inti Raymi festival
June 25 – 30: Classes and visits / field trips in Pisac
July 1: Return to Lima
Jetsmart 7054 1716-1850
July 2: Conclusions in Lima
July 3: Group disperses
