This Place as Text Faculty Institute is an immersive professional development experience designed for faculty and staff who are interested in integrating the Place as Text pedagogy into curricular and co-curricular contexts.

The Place as Text Faculty Institute offers an immersive professional development experience for honors educators interested in bringing experiential, place-based learning into their programs. Through structured field inquiry in Philadelphia, participants will analyze neighborhoods, cultural landscapes, and public initiatives—including those tied to the U.S. Semiquincentennial—to uncover the social, historical, and cultural dynamics embedded in the city. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of City as Text® methodologies and practical strategies for applying this pedagogy within their own curricular and co-curricular contexts.

This NCHC Introduction to Place as Text program is intended for faculty and staff members who are new to place-based pedagogy. Participants will engage in intentional explorations to experience Place as Text as their students do, with all of the excitement and challenges that come with it. They will be introduced to principles of site-based experiential learning as they explore the city’s diverse neighborhoods, landmarks, and public spaces.

The Place as Text Master Class offers an advanced professional development experience for faculty and staff who have already engaged with City as Text® and are ready to deepen their practice. Through a focused exploration of New Orleans, participants will revisit core methodologies while experimenting with ways to scale or adapt Place as Text across full-semester courses, short-term immersions, or collaborative programs. The workshop also provides space to refine key instructional materials—such as assignments, syllabi, itineraries, and reading lists—equipping attendees with concrete tools to enhance and expand their experiential learning offerings.