On Walking


Walking can be the ultimate act of freedom. But walking while black, while trans, or without papers, for example, can often risk a violent loss of freedom. Historically, however, marginalized groups have used walking (i.e. the protest march) to fight for freedom itself. Drawing on fields as diverse as environmental literature and philosophy, feminist studies and disability studies, as well as social movement theory, this course considers walking from an individual, social, and environmental perspective. Students reflect deeply on the nature of freedom, the diverse histories and experiences of walking, and walking’s power to prompt large-scale political change. This class includes co-curricular walks in several geographical regions of DC, as well as “walking reflections” to guide students’ final projects.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *