Special Programs
Winter Term
Spanning the month of January, winter term encourages students to intensively explore topics and pursue experiences outside of regular course offerings. Students are required to earn three full winter-term credits for graduation. Projects may be undertaken either individually or as part of a group. There are no additional tuition or room fees for winter term.Many academic departments offer individual and group projects; students often devise their own projects. Winter-term projects can be undertaken on campus or off. Students who pursue their projects on campus present concerts, theatrical productions, films, lectures, forums, and discussion groups that enliven the campus community throughout January.
Typical off-campus projects include—but are not limited to—career exploration, internships, and community service. Many students work as interns and receive placement assistance from Oberlin alumni, the Office of Career Services, the Center for Service and Learning, or faculty members.
Experimental College
ExCo is a student-run organization that sponsors for-credit courses taught by students, faculty, and members of the community. Begun in 1968 as an experiment in alternative education, ExCo still provides highly enjoyable and rewarding learning experiences.Between 60 and 90 courses are offered each semester. Anyone may take classes—students, faculty members, staff members, and local residents. Those who demonstrate expertise and enthusiasm in a subject may teach a course as long as that course is judged to have educational merit and purpose.
By its very nature, ExCo reflects the current zeitgeist of the Oberlin community. Students may receive 1-3 college credits for each ExCo course, accumulating up to 5 of the 112 credit hours needed to graduate. Student instructors also may receive credit.
Honors Projects
Through the Honors Program, students of proven ability and independence may extend their competence in their major field of study or in related fields. Honors projects vary but always involve independent work. This may be done in seminars or private readings, in research, or in the preparation of a thesis, exhibition, or performance, always under the supervision of faculty advisors. Students in the program may be eligible for release from tests and examinations, and often have access to special library and laboratory facilities.An honors candidate whose project demonstrates the requisite degree of excellence is awarded the Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors, High Honors, or Highest Honors. Every candidate for honors must pass a special examination at the end of the senior year (written, oral, or both). Outside examiners may be invited to conduct the final examination of candidates.