Searching for San Diego: City as Text™ Master Class

This NCHC Master Class will provide an opportunity for faculty with prior City as Text experiences (through an NCHC Place as Text Faculty Institute or City as Text at the national conference) to engage in an intensive exploration of San Diego prior to the 2025 National Conference.

From its Native American roots and Spanish Missionary heritage, to cultural milestones and military influence, to the gold rush and surf culture, San Diego's contributions to shaping the region, the country, and the world can be found when navigating its complex and fascinating history. Indeed, there is a San Diego to be discovered beyond preconceived ideas and expectations.

The San Diego Master Class will provide participants with an opportunity to explore the city’s diverse neighborhoods, landmarks, and public spaces as they engage in principles of site-based experiential learning with the intent of taking home a deeper understanding of City as Text pedagogy as well as developed ideas and structure for course- and program-level applications (e.g., syllabus, turning point assignment, reading materials, learning outcomes, etc.).

Participants are invited to consider how they are investigating the city with the deliberate intention of designing and implementing their own City as Text. At the end of the Master Class and after the workshop session, participants will have a chance to present their work to faculty and staff enrolled in the Introduction to Place as Text course, which will run in parallel to the Master Class.

Participants who attend the San Diego NCHC National Conference may choose to participate in facilitating the City as Text Signature Event at the conference.