Public Humanities
Expand the conversation.
Tap Into the Power of the Humanities
Community-Based Learning
The Bonner Center is Oberlin’s hub for connecting students, faculty, and staff to communities engaged in social change and public service.
Digital Scholarship
In the History Design Lab, Oberlin students experiment with how to convey information about the past to audiences of today and tomorrow.
Featured Courses
Learning with Indigenous Material Culture
Oberlin College is home to a small but important collection of 19th century cultural objects made by indigenous peoples across Arctic North America. The collection provides an avenue for indigenous knowledge repatriation and object-centered learning within a liberal arts context. This course combines hands-on study of the Arctic Collection with consultation with an indigenous knowledge bearer.
- Taught by
- Amy Margaris ’96
Oberlin Oral History: Community-Based Learning & Research
Learning the history of a place as recounted by members of a community helps us understand and act in the present. This course introduces students to community-based learning & research, with a focus on oral history. Students will learn from members of the Oberlin community and establish historical context and methodological familiarity through readings and visits to local organizations.
- Taught by
Philosophy in the Schools Practicum
The Philosophy in the Schools (PHITS) practicum gives students a new community-engaged way to develop their philosophical skills and understanding, by teaching philosophy through children’s literature. Students will make eight weekly visits to Eastwood Elementary School, working in pairs to lead lively philosophical discussions.
- Taught by
- Katherine Thomson-Jones
Ethnomusicology as Activism
This course explores the growing field of activist ethnomusicology, exposing students to the variety of ways ethnomusicologists use their training to address social justice issues in the U.S. and abroad, ranging from education, racial, and social inequities to environmental justice and conflict resolution.
- Taught by
- Jennifer Fraser
Student Profiles
Truman Scholar and Community Advocate
Henry Hicks ’21, a comparative American studies and creative writing double major, has been awarded the Truman Scholarship, the premier graduate fellowship in the United States for those pursuing careers as public service leaders.
Making Murals
Through her work with art museums, nonprofits, and youth programs, Elka Lee-Shapiro ’18 is exploring how art intersects with politics and culture.
Poet, Activist, and Optimist
Anthropology and Creative Writing double major David James ("DJ") Savarese '17 now works as a public speaker, artful activist (poet, essayist, filmmaker), and practicing optimist, working to make interdependent, self-determined lives a reality for non-traditionally speaking people.
What does Public Humanities at Oberlin look like?
Oberlin students discuss the legacy of Shirley Graham Du Bois ’34 as part of a two-day symposium held in honor of the Oberlin alumna, composer, playwright, biographer, nation builder, and activist.
Oberlin students visit the Lorain Historical Society as part of a collaboration exhibit with El Centro de Servicios Sociales celebrating 100 years of Latinas/os in Lorain County.
Students, faculty, and community members participate in the bell hooks Read In at Mudd Library.
Students in the field working on a documentary for StoryLens, a nonprofit run by professor Geoff Pingree that produces independent short documentaries of social relevance.
