Oberlin College - Academics

Quick Stats

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As is the case at any college, classes at Oberlin range from the life-altering to the barely-tolerable. The majority, however, are personally enriching and intellectually delightful. The choice of classes at Oberlin is extensive. Even if regular academics don’t quite fit the bill, classes taught through the Experimental College program (Excos)—everything from ‘80s Movies to Chainmail & Calligraphy—surely will. In fact, there are so many choices of interesting classes to take at Oberlin that students sometimes feel frustrated there isn’t enough time for everything. It isn’t uncommon for students to take a maximum number of credit hours, not because they have to, but because they don’t want to miss out on a really great class. Oberlin students are almost masochistic about having busy schedules, and consequently, a serious work ethic prevails on campus.

Without a doubt, one of the best things about classes at Oberlin is their size—the small-class environment leads to stimulating discussions and a more intimate rapport between students and professors. The discussion-intensive nature of most classes can be intimidating to students who are not already accustomed to speaking up in front of their peers, but most students are glad not to spend all their time in big lecture halls. Professors at Oberlin are also conspicuously passionate about teaching, and they encourage meeting individually with students. Some professors even invite entire classes over for a cook-out at their house and, if you’re lucky, an additional lecture in romantic poetry. All in all, students at Oberlin have access to all the resources necessary—be it engaging professors, or the extensive library collection—to having a stimulating and gratifying academic experience.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

The professors are a quirky and... The professors are a quirky and interesting bunch, which makes them easy to talk to and fun to watch in lectures, although ‘quirky’ can sometimes mean impossible to follow. 12345 Academics Report

Anonymous says:

I have found the teachers here at... I have found the teachers here at Oberlin to be incredibly supportive. If you have difficulties, they don’t automatically send you to a TA or brush you off. They’ll listen to you—listen to your problems, dreams, wishes—anything. They’re simply available, which I think you don’t find in a lot of major universities. I won’t pretend that every professor I’ve had is a captivating lecturer, but the vast majority have been brilliant and enthusiastic, and truly love their subject. 12345 Academics Report

Anonymous says:

There are lots of flavors and... There are lots of flavors and personalities. I’ve enjoyed most of my classes, and nothing beats an excellent and inspiring teacher. They make you feel like studying more and more. 12345 Academics Report

anwoolve says: Oberlin College 2012 English Language and Literature

My academic experience at Oberlin... My academic experience at Oberlin was great. If you don't take advantage of your opportunities however, there is not much to stop them from passing you by. But when I did, I can say I have not had a more enriching intellectual experience since. 12345 Academics: December 17, 2008 Report

Anonymous says:

Basically, the teachers rule, as a... Basically, the teachers rule, as a group. They care about what they’re teaching, and that you learn it. Some have a tendency to run on during lectures, which can be boring, but on the whole, they’re a quality staff. And yes, the classes are, for the most part, interesting. 12345 Academics Report

Facts

Did You Know?

Oberlin provides a winter term of four weeks in January to encourage and enable students to discover the value of self-education. This term affords students an opportunity to devise and pursue programs of independent study or research. It also gives students the chance to undertake, individually or within a group, on or off campus, other projects of educational value that the structured curriculum during the academic year cannot accommodate easily. Oberlin presents its students with the chance to learn exactly what they want on their own terms.

The Experimental College (Exco) is a department of a non-traditional curriculum taught by students, townspeople, faculty, and staff. Absolutely anyone can take an Exco course; students can take and teach Exco courses for credit, up to ?ve of which can be applied towards graduation. If you ever wanted to learn Welsh, swing-dancing, or take a course in sexual health issues, Excos provide the perfect opportunity to do so.

The Honor Committee is a student-run organization that is responsible for the continued health of the honor system at Oberlin. The purpose of the honor system is to maintain in Oberlin a high standard of academic integrity with respect to all curricular work.

Although the library has a large collection, students sometimes need publications and other materials that the library does not own. Through Inter-Library Loan, students have access to materials from libraries all over the country, and even the world. Even better, though, is OhioLINK, a free service available to students and faculty, which allows direct requests from academic libraries within Ohio. This means that students at Oberlin have quick and easy access to an incredible amount of scholarly works—perhaps one of the most important resources one could hope for at college.

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