Tours for college, university, and graduate school classes
I have led versions of various tours for college, university, and graduate school classes (and even high school classes/programs), and visiting academic or study groups.
(Plus: a group of 11-year-olds once.)
The tours can focus on various topics, including urban studies/history, architecture/planning, New York City/Brooklyn immigration, gentrification, and religious/ethnic diversity.
Among the neighborhoods where I've led class tours:
- Sunset Park
- Brooklyn Heights & DUMBO
- Greenpoint
- Jackson Heights
- Crown Heights
- Coney Island and Brighton Beach
- Williamsburg
- Lower East Side
- East Village
For current urban planning and real estate development issues, the most interesting neighborhoods are:
Working with me
I can adapt the tour to your particular needs. I always like to learn more about the goals of the class, and the class syllabus.
As I tour guide, I have a friendly but mildly Socratic style. I periodically ask participants to explain what they see (or what they think I want them to see).
I'm not trying to play "gotcha," but to help students hone their observational skills. ("I want you to become better noticers," I sometimes say.)
The goal: a practice that helps them observe the urban landscape anywhere. That's worked reasonably well.
What about fees?
Fees are based on group size and time required.
Depending on the situation, I can sometimes be flexible on fees for classes.
What if we're not coming to NYC?
Also available: two webinars (virtual tours) on the history of Coney Island, as well as a webinar on Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park. With appropriate lead time, I may be able to adapt other tours as webinars.
I can adapt the tour to your particular needs. I always like to learn more about the goals of the class, and the class syllabus.
As I tour guide, I have a friendly but mildly Socratic style. I periodically ask participants to explain what they see (or what they think I want them to see).
I'm not trying to play "gotcha," but to help students hone their observational skills. ("I want you to become better noticers," I sometimes say.)
The goal: a practice that helps them observe the urban landscape anywhere. That's worked reasonably well.
What about fees?
Fees are based on group size and time required.
Depending on the situation, I can sometimes be flexible on fees for classes.
What if we're not coming to NYC?
Also available: two webinars (virtual tours) on the history of Coney Island, as well as a webinar on Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park. With appropriate lead time, I may be able to adapt other tours as webinars.