Trail of Tears

This offering of the North Park Dialogue 3 course is a 2-week travel course.  The course interweaves three themes:

• The historical events and factors preceding and associated with the 1838-9 removal of the Cherokee from their homeland in the Appalachians to Oklahoma territory.
• The environmental context of the ecosystem of the southern Appalachians and of other regions along the removal route.
• The concept of a “sense of place” and the impact of being uprooted from your "place."

The trip route extends from Chicago to the ancestral homeland of the Cherokee in the southern Appalachians to northern Georgia.  From this point, the trip follows the northern route of the Trail of Tears westward to Oklahoma.  Students meet with representatives of the Cherokee Nation and explore the ecosystems and historical landmarks along the trail while reflecting on the experience of being uprooted.  Participants examine the cultural, historical, and social context of the Cherokee removal and make connections to contemporary uprooting of individuals and cultures to explore themes of social justice.

Students travel in school vehicles, camp or stay in lodges much of the time, and share cooking duties.  Students also hike and explore habitats in natural areas along the route.  Students maintain a reflective trip journal and write a researched paper on a topic related to the trip theme.

For more information contact Dr. Linda Vick by email.