Summer Block: May 13 through June 7, 2025
Travel Dates: May 12 through May 22, 2025
Leader: Miles Kelly
This course will take students on an experiential journey to explore the evil history of slavery and its effects on modern society, the arduous fight to attain civil rights, and ultimately, the tireless efforts of a community of people to unify, survive, and thrive. Through lectures given on the sites where many unimaginable atrocities occurred and other sites where the most iconic African American leaders delivered profound public discourse, students will gain a deeper understanding of the plight of African Americans. As a medium of instruction, students will listen to selections of African American music to enhance their experience of visiting the actual historic sites. As a result of the site visits, lectures, and gaining a deeper understanding of the meaning, symbolism, and purpose of African American music, students will be more adept at communicating their own personal feelings and experiences about this multi-faceted history and will be more patient and tolerant moving forward as the history is addressed more openly in current social discourse.
| Day | Date | Itinerary |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | May 12, 2025 | (Alexandria, Louisiana) Depart Norman at 10:00 a.m., lunch in Dallas. Depart Dallas at 2:30 p.m. and arrive in Alexandria at 7:30 p.m. Dinner and overnight in Alexandria, Louisiana |
| Monday | May 13, 2025 | (New Orleans, Louisiana) Depart Alexandria at 9:00 a.m. Arrive in Wallace, Louisiana at 12:00 noon. Eat lunch and tour the Whitney Plantation. Depart Wallace at 5:00 p.m. and arrive in New Orleans at 6:30 p.m. Check in to hotel, dinner, and group walk-about. |
| Tuesday | May 14, 2025 | (New Orleans, Louisiana) Visit the Lafayette Cemetery, Congo Square, and Backstreet Museum |
| Wednesday | May 15, 2025 | (Gulf Shores, Alabama) Visit Ward 7 and Ruby Bridges School. Depart for Gulf Shores, Alabama at 2:00 p.m. and arrive at 5:30 p.m. Check in to hotel, dinner, and group walk-about |
| Thursday | May 16, 2025 | (Gulf Shores, Alabama) Explore Gulf Shores and local beach |
| Friday | May 17, 2025 | (Atlanta, Georgia) Depart for Birmingham, Alabama at 8:00 a.m. Arrive in Birmingham at 12:00 p.m. Lunch. Visit the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Depart for Atlanta at 6:00 p.m. arrive at 8:00 p.m. Check in to hotel |
| Saturday | May 18, 2025 | (Atlanta, Georgia) Visit the Maring Luther King Jr. National Historic Park in the morning. Dinner in downtown Atlanta |
| Sunday | May 19, 2025 | (Atlanta, Georgia) Service-learning with partners in Atlanta |
| Monday | May 20, 2025 | (Atlanta, Georgia) Depart for Nashville, Tennessee at 9:00 a.m. Arrive in Nashville at 12:30. Eat lunch in Downtown Nashville. Visit the National Museum of African American Music at 510 Broadway in Nashville. Check in to hotel at 5:00 p.m. Evening on Broadway St |
| Tuesday | May 21, 2025 | (Memphis, Tennessee) Depart for Memphis at 9:00 a.m. and arrive at 12:00 p.m. Check in to hotel, lunch, and tour the National Civil Rights Museum. Dinner on Beale Street |
| Wednesday | May 22, 2025 | Depart for Norman, Oklahoma at 8:00 a.m., lunch in Ft. Smith, Arkansas at 12:00. Leave Ft. Smith at 2:00 p.m. and arrive in Norman at 5:00 p.m. |
