Description: The Camino de Santiago is the traditional pilgrimage route from France across northwestern Spain to Santiago de Compostela, the legendary burial site of St. James. One of the great medieval pilgrimages and the greatest surviving itinerary for medieval monuments and landscapes, it has enjoyed a remarkable revival in recent years, attracting European Union sponsorship, the attention of media stars, and hundreds of thousands of walkers and pilgrims. In this two-week study tour, participants will walk the route, and meet each day for lectures and discussion of the medieval and pre-modern monuments along the route. The group will meet periodically during the spring 2010 semester to discuss reading assignments and prepare for the walk. A journal is required at the end of the course.

Course credit: Fordham College students may gain three credits for this course and may apply the credits earned for this course (MV 2998) as a free elective (no matter what their major) or toward the Medieval Studies program. (This course does not replace any of the required courses in the Honors Program curriculum.) Eligibility requires that students be full-time and registered during the spring 2010 semester. Participation in this study tour can then be added to their schedules for a total not exceeding 18 credits without further tuition charges.

Texts: (1) William Melczer, The Pilgrim's Guide to Santiago de Compostela (1993) [translation of Bk 5 of the Codex calixtinus]
            (2) Nancy Louise Frey, Pilgrim Stories: On and Off the Road to Santiago, Journeys Along an Ancient Way in Modern Spain (1998)

Paper format: A journal of the study tour concentrating on analysis and assessment of the historical context, the relation of the experience to the readings, and the contemporary Camino; due no later than 26 June 2010.

Grading: Journal (40%); discussion in class meetings (before and during the study tour; 30%); presentations in class meetings before and during the study tour (30%).

Payment Information.
●Payment of a course fee ($550.00 total cost) should be made by either U.S. Postal money order or cashiers check payable to “Fordham University.” The course fee includes entrance fees and hotel/hostel accommodation while on the Camino.

●The course fee DOES NOT INCLUDE tuition, airfare, hostel/hotel accommodation in Spain before or after the tour, meals, ground transportation. (Note that tuition is already covered for fulltime students.)

●Expenses will vary, but personal expenses on the tour will be about $800; i.e., $480 for meals (16 days @ $30 p.d.) and $320 for incidentals. Expenses before and after the course will include airfare (about $700), transport to León and from Santiago (about $150), and daily costs before and after the trip (at least $150 p.d. in Madrid or other major cities). A personal budget of at least $1800 can be expected (in addition to the course fee). ATMs are available along much of the route. Insurance covering the unlikely need for medical attention or emergency evacuation will be available and is strongly suggested.

●Students should contact their physicians at least three months prior to travel. All questions about medical advice should be addressed to your physician.

●Payment schedule: $300 due 15 January 2010: balance due 1 April 2010, along with a copy of the student’s passport.

●Cancellation policy: $100 charge per person at any time after signing the agreement. Cancellations after 15 April 2010 will only be refunded at 50% of the tour price. Cancellations after 15 May 2010 will forfeit 100% of the tour price.