Experiential Learning in Greece
Urban Inequality and Participatory Research
During a seven-week immersive learning experience in Athens, students explored the concept of vertical segregation and how social and economic inequalities shape the urban fabric of the city. Through interdisciplinary inquiry combining geography, sociology, and visual storytelling, students investigated how class, migration, housing policies, and economic structures influence daily life in different neighborhoods of Athens. By engaging directly with community members and local environments, students developed a deeper understanding of the lived realities behind urban inequality.
Chiaroscuro:
Living in Vertical Segregation
Driving Question: How might an in-depth study of vertical segregation guide us toward a complex understanding of social stratification in modern-day Athens?
Interdisciplinary Themes: Visual Arts; Social Urban Geography; Human Geography; Sociology
Learning Experience: Students engaged in a place-based investigation into the social and spatial inequalities present within the city of Athens. Through research, field exploration, and dialogue with local residents, students examined issues such as housing disparities, migration, gentrification, social justice, and the ways economic systems shape urban life.
To deepen their understanding of these realities, students implemented a PhotoVoice methodology, a participatory research approach that empowers individuals to document their lived experiences through photography. Community members from different neighborhoods were invited to capture images representing their perspectives on life in the city, particularly focusing on the visible and invisible dimensions of social inequality.
Students analyzed these visual narratives alongside interviews and community conversations, allowing them to connect theoretical concepts from urban geography and sociology with the everyday experiences of people living in Athens. This process encouraged learners to engage critically with the city as a complex social system while developing empathy and awareness of the structural forces shaping urban life.
Summative Product: The culminating product of the project was a PhotoVoice exhibition exploring the theme of vertical segregation in Athens. Through this exhibition, students presented a collection of photographs taken by community members alongside recorded reflections and narrative interpretations of the images.
The exhibition highlighted multiple perspectives on inequality, housing, migration, and community life within the city. By combining photography, storytelling, and research analysis, the project created a platform that amplified the voices and experiences of local residents while inviting viewers to reflect on the social structures shaping contemporary Athens.
Learning Reflection: This learning experience demonstrated how place-based education can deepen students’ understanding of complex social issues by connecting academic concepts with lived human experiences. Through participatory research methods such as PhotoVoice, students moved beyond theoretical discussions of inequality and engaged directly with the perspectives of the communities affected by it.
The process encouraged students to approach social issues with empathy, curiosity, and critical thinking, while also reflecting on their role as researchers and storytellers. By engaging with community narratives and visual documentation, students developed a richer understanding of how social structures, economic systems, and urban environments intersect to shape everyday life.
