Art and Archaeology in Peru

Coinciding with Spring Break, the seven-day trip to Peru breaks the semester neatly in half, rendering a three-stage experience beginning with an introduction to the nature of Inca society and the organization of their vast mountain empire through literature and classroom slides and lectures. The course will focus on the principles and values that governed Andean world views and political power as expressed in art and monumental architecture. Our primary destination is the Inca capitol city of Cuzco (or Qosqo), built in the shape of a puma and revered as the axis mundi, or center of the Andean cosmos. Following the trip, students will meet for a series of seminar-like discussions where each will present independent research on some aspect of Inca culture selected before or during the trip.

Travel Highlights

Lima: Tour of National Museum of History, Archaeology, and Anthropology

Cuzco:Tour of Cuzco City and Inca Temple Koricancha

Sacred Valley: Visit Sacsayhuaman monument, Inca shrines at Qenqo and Tambomachay, Visit Awanacancha Project (Traditional textile workshop; alpacas, llamas, etc), Explore contemporary Andean arts and crafts at Pisac Market, Visit Inca royal estate Chinchero; Moray (unique circular terraces), Visit to royal estate and fortress of Ollantaytambo

Machu Picchu: Inca aesthetics of Machu Picchu's Pachakuti royal estate, Free exploring or climb of Huayna Picchu

Visit the Photo Gallery: Spring 2009

Download the Brochure

Download the Application

More Questions?

Contact CIE or

the Program Director, Dr. Warren Church