Using Your City as a Multicultural Classroom

This paper describes a graduate multicultural education course centered on field experiences in the local community. Personal student interaction with the diversity of cultures found in the city not only modeled relevant curriculum built on local issues, but also promoted self-reflection and growth. A variety of teaching strategies were used including technology, which had unanticipated good results. The course also encouraged student responsibility with flexible scheduling and multiple ways to document learning. Students and instructor took on new roles as they participated in the learning/teaching continuum. Modifications of this course design for use in other locations are also discussed.