Summer Enrichment FAQ
Frequently asked questions about our specially designed summer course offerings for all new Oberlin students
When are the classes?
Classes will take place via Zoom either once or twice a week beginning Monday, June 7, 2021 and concluding Friday, July 30, 2021.
- Healing Democracy will meet on Tuesdays from 6:30–8:30 p.m. EDT
- Cinema and Change: Ritual, Identity, & Coming of Age will meet on Thursdays from 6:30–8:30 p.m. EDT
- Writing Through Transition and Quantitative Toolkit: Patterns and Predictions will both meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30–7:30 p.m. EDT
What will the class sessions look like?
Each class features lectures by Oberlin faculty members, opportunities for Q&A, and workshops with current student leaders.
- Both Healing Democracy and Cinema and Change: Ritual, Identity, & Coming of Age meet once a week for two-hour windows. The first hour is dedicated to lecture and Q&A; immediately after, students will move into discussion groups facilitated by current students working as Peer Advising Leaders (PALs). PALs will debrief the lectures and lead conversation about student life at Oberlin.
- Writing Through Transition and Quantitative Toolkit: Patterns and Predictions meet twice weekly for an hour at a time. On Mondays, students will attend the lecture and Q&A; on Wednesdays, students will have a second session with Writing Associates or OWLS leaders (depending on the course). During these Wednesday sessions, students will debrief the lecture, workshop their writing or quantitative skills, get to know each other, and discuss student life at Oberlin. Students in the Quantitative Toolkit course will have an additional hourlong meeting each week, either on Monday or Wednesday, beginning at 7:30 p.m. EDT.
How many courses may I take?
Students may earn a maximum of four credits from enrolling in the virtual course offerings for admitted students (each course is worth two academic credits).
This means that students who enrolled in the first offering of Healing Democracy (beginning in April) may enroll in one additional course. Students who did not enroll in the first offering of Healing Democracy may enroll in two of the courses offered this summer.
What do the courses cost? Do I need to buy books or supplies?
These courses are offered at no cost to all incoming students. All readings and other materials will be provided. Students will need access to the internet in order to stream the lectures and discussion groups via Zoom. Best of all, the course credits can be applied toward your Oberlin degree!
What if I have connectivity issues?
Any students with difficulties connecting to the sessions should contact the Course Manager dedicated to each course, who will work with students on a case-by-case basis to address technology challenges as effectively as possible.
Will I earn academic credit for taking these courses?
Yes, these are for-credit courses. Each is worth two academic credits: the equivalent of one-half of a regular full-semester course. Students who successfully complete one or more of these courses can apply the credits they earn toward completing their Oberlin degree.
What happens if I enroll but can’t complete the course?
These courses are meant to be a meaningful and engaging introduction to an Oberlin College liberal arts education, not a source of anxiety or stress. While students will be expected to participate actively in order to be eligible to receive credit, the course will appear on your official transcript only if you successfully complete it.
If you begin the class but are unable to complete it, the course will not appear on your official transcript. Instead, students will see an NE (No Entry) designation on their unofficial Oberlin transcript. This designation is for advising purposes only. This policy has been created to align with Oberlin College’s adjusted grading policies for currently enrolled students, as part of its ongoing response to COVID-19.