Tired of the limited perspective of Western medicine? You’ll gave a much broader sense of the process of healing and the various strategies aimed at maintaining and restoring health, of which Western medicine is only one, after taking this course. Learn with us about the healing properties of herbs, massage and energy work, as well as much more. Learn how to listen to your body and work with your emotions. We will have frequent professional guests to explain their modality and let us know how they learned what they learned. $18 is requested to help defray costs, but if you’re broke, please apply anyway! Two scholarships will be offered.

An introduction to the basic symbolism and techniques of modern, humanistic astrology. In this course students will develop astrological interpretation and analysis techniques through examination of their own and celebrities birth charts (maps of the positions of planets at the time of birth). No previous knowledge or experience is necessary, merely an interest. Two one-hour classes per week.

Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of screenwriting, as well as an introduction to conventional film structure. All students will complete a screenplay for a short film as a final project. The class will be a combination of lectures, film viewings, discussions, and workshops.

This interactive course is designed to introduce or enhance some of the skills an techniques needed to be an effective leader, peer counselor, mediator, problem solver, and resource. The course also explores identity development, personal values and interaction styles. Whether or not you want to be an RC, the skills and the knowledge needed are also skills for life

This course shall cover the theoretical origins, evolution, and expansion of the traditional tarot deck. Emphasis shall be placed upon the theo-philosophical, rather than divinatory, aspects of the deck. Students are not required to have any previous knowledge of the subject matter, but are encouraged to become casually familiar with a simple contemporary deck (e.g., Rider-Waite). Class shall consist of either lecture or lecture and discussion upon the topic at hand.

Mike Lyon

Covering the last 20 years of a rapidly evolving medium of artistic expression, the course will deal with the great modern classics of anime, with specific focus on the films of masters such as miyazaki and Otomo. Part 3 in a 4-part series of Anime ExCos.

This course provides an introduction to the films of Canada’s "master of venereal horror," David Cronenberg. Weekly screenings will include "Shivers," "The Brood," "Videodrome," "Crash," and others. We will also be reading selections from Cronenberg on Cronenberg, as well as critical essays by Kathy Acker and Linda S. Kauffman.

Evil threatens to consume the town of Bayside, and only one man stands in its way. Hardin Lovelace, Private Eye, This is the world of "the Dead Hear Footsteps", a radio mystery show on WOBC. We will be learning about radio production by producing this show every week, including doing voices, writing script, finding music, creating sound effects, and whatever else comes up.

Talking about music is like trying to pin Jell-O on the wall. Writing about music is like dancing about architecture. Come dance in Jell-O with us. This course will be an intense examination of Phish’s musical style, evolution, and surrounding social culture.

Learn about the life of Drew Barrymore through her films and autobiography from child star to troubled teen to an adorable adult. Class meets 2-3 hours once a week, depending on length of film and discussion. $7 fee required for purchase of her autobiography.

In this course, we will be exploring the wit and wisdom of John waters, including all of his films, from the most notoriously repulsive to the only moderately icky. We’ll talk a lot about shock value. We’ll also be reading excerpts from JW’s written work, and covering the history of his ingenue, Divine. As an extra-added bonus, we’ll also be discussing the politics of the term ‘white trash’ and what it means to be ‘trashy’. As JW himself said, "White trash is the only racist thing you can still say and get away with it." Well be reading excerpts from books by authors who are ‘trashy’, such as Matt Wray and Jim Goad, and will talk gout the origins of so-called ‘trashy’ culture and the ‘white trash’ aesthetic. We’ll meet once a week to watch a movie and once a week to discuss. Be there and prepare to be disgusted.

Two 80’s Auteurs

0-2 Credits

An examination of the films of Jim Jarmusch and David Lynch. Through weekly screenings, readings, and written work, we will debate and discuss the form and content of Jarmusch and Lynch’s movies

Assist in the helping of Oberlin Middle and High School students in developing Public Affairs Radio to be broadcast M-F 5-6 pm on WOBC. Your creativity will be used to brainstorm with kids to come up with interesting ideas or stories that they would want to discuss and guide them through their radio shows. Join us in using WOBC as a tool of empowerment for teenagers in this community.

A comprehensive exploration into the skills and philosophy of Contact Improvisation. This dance form engages dancers in weight shifts, changes of momentum, relationships through space, and energetic connections. This class will meet three times a week for an hour and a half each time, and require participation in a number of Sunday afternoon Contact Jams. No dance experience required.

This class will introduce you to the enticing and beautiful world of Middle Eastern dance. You will learn the rhythms and movements from a variety of styles and origins. Classes meet once a week and all beginners are welcome.

This class is an opportunity for study of Classical North Indian vocal, sitar, or tabla music. The course meets once a week with Auntiji Hasu Patel. Instruments are available through the teacher and conservatory. There is a small course fee.

We are Oberlin’s oldest student theater group, producing intimate light opera in Wilder Main. We need singers, actors, dancers, costumers, tech people, and anything else that goes into making a show. Our next show is H.M.S. Pinafore. Come sail the ocean blue!

It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing…

We need: musicians, color guard members, drum majors, choreographers and drill designers! If you are interested in practicing your skills in any of these areas of acquiring skills in any of these areas, please join us. No application required. All ranges of experience welcome.

0-1 Credits

Savali Andrews

An introductory course in which students will explore the Polynesian islands of Samoa, Tahiti, Hawai’i, and New Zealand through dance forms such as the Hula, the Otea, and more.

An introduction to the techniques and traditions of steel drum performance. Students will also learn to play other percussion instruments. The class culminates in a group performance at the Cat in the Cream.

Who the Hell are the Residents?

0-1 Credits

David Reminick and Dan Rubin

This course will explore the creative output of the Residents.

A one-module course on using the Linux operating system. Comfort with computers recommended. Learn-by-doing. Option available for those interested in installing Linux on their personal machines. Regular classes will have access to lab machines. History/politics of Linux will also be discussed.

This course is an introduction to the sport of fencing. The weapon we will be teaching is the traditional introductory blade, the foil. We will teach the basic techniques of form, footwork and corresponding bladework through drill and practice. No degree of physical fitness is assumed in the beginning. Stretching and cardiovascular exercise will be an integral part of the course.

An alternative to old fashioned aerobics, this class will definitely work you out. It is an extremely intense cardiovascular workout, burning about 800 calories per class.

This class is open to players with no experience to tournament veterans. Beginners will learn the rules, basic end-game technique, opening theory, etc. More advanced players will improve analytical combination visualization, mating combinations, etc. Teaching Assistants will take different groups according to previous playing experience.

Days: Tuesday/Thursday 8:00 - 9:30 pm

Enrollment limit: 16

For players with some badminton experience and/or want to learn to play badminton competitively. Also, for those who just love the game and want to learn more than just hitting the birdie back/forth. Playing is learning, so obviously, that will be the focus — play.

This course is designed to provide a general background of the fundamentals of the sport of diving. This course will be offered to anyone regardless of prior experience, since each individual will work at a different level. A swimsuit and towel are needed. Prerequisites–must know how to swim. The class will meet Tuesday and Thursday for two hours at a time at the pool in Phillips Gym

An introduction to the art of juggling and all the sub-disciplines it has come to encompass. Students will meet for two separate one-hour meetings a week to work on group and solo juggling and discussion of juggling culture. No prior experience expected- interest and dedication are more important than skill.

The Isshin-Ryu Karate ExCo has been offered to Oberlin College students and community members for the past 11 years. The ExCo is open to beginners as well as to those who have trained in a martial art before. Taking the ExCo makes one eligible to join the Oberlin Karate Kai, which is a chartered Oberlin College organization. The ExCo as well as the Kai are run completely by students, who have trained for a significant amount of time. Students will be taught a hard style of karate. There is no limit on class size, so everyone who is interested in taking the class will get in.

The purpose of the class is for students to become skilled in self-defense, against single or multiple attackers. A contemporary approach is used combining the best moves from several martial arts styles including: Long Fist Kung Fu, Hapkido, Tai Chi, Kempo, Hsing I, and others. The teaching process differs from traditional martial arts in several ways: street clothes are worm rather than uniforms; there is no rigid top down approach to teaching and "mat etiquette"; there is no system of belt; teaching methods are flexible and attempt to accommodate different learning styles; open discussion is used throughout; and the expression of interpersonal respect and warmth is considered to be as important as fighting technique. Classes usually involve: "body mind" exercises (which teach centering and the awareness and use of "chi"), stretching and aerobic exercises, fighting techniques, martial art games, sparring, and grappling. For credit, students should attend two of the three weekly sessions.

Shito Ryu Karate: To give a basic understanding of traditional Karate with training in self-defense.

This course is designed for students with previous swimming experience, curious about the art of synchronized swimming. Basic sculling, figures, and eggbeater will be taught, as well as a final choreographed routine to music.

The frisbee exco will be a fun time learning and playing ultimate frisbee.

This course will provide students with the skills to plan and lead and outdoor expedition. Course will meet weekly and for field exercises which include kayaking, orienteering, rock climbing and backpacking. Requirements are a love of the outdoors and the drive to lead.

This exco introduces students to the fun, fast, and widely popular sport known as rugby. No previous experience is necessary. Rugby is a great way to relieve stress, stay in shape, and get muddy. Exco students will participate in practices and play in games. Come and try it!

Design and build a ceramic (clay and glass tile) mural for the straw bale structure located behind Eastwood Elementary School. Students will also learn about sustainable building techniques and incorporate the mural design into the organic nature of the building

The course will teach the skills required to pilot a radio controlled model airplane. It will meet once a week for 2 hours. No experience is necessary.

Learn the basics and eventually the more advanced techniques of origami, the asian art of paperfolding. We’ll have lots of fun and make some neat little critters!

This course will introduce basic concepts of sustainable agriculture and organic gardening. The focus of the course will be to provide practical skills and experiences in a variety of aspects of organic production, including: soils, tillage, seed propagation, composting, intensive gardening techniques, interplanting, alternative methods of weed, pest, and disease control, greenhouse production, season extension, harvesting, and local marketing. The course will also include special presentations, field tips, and lectures focusing on how community supported agriculture can provide an alternative means of connecting largely urban communities to the rural roots of their food supply.

Help out in creating our HI-O-HI yearbook!!! Take photos, make layouts, and commit your spirited and creative energies towards making this coming school year one to remember!!

0-1 Credits

Madeleine Asher and Michael Kenney

This class will be a survey of animal rights issues. It will cover the treatment of animals in our society, with specific emphasis placed on positive solutions, alternatives, and choices in areas of human and animal interest overlap. Topics such as speciesism, animal experimentation, factory farming, hunting, zoos, clothing, domestic animals, vegetarianism and veganism, genetic engineering, and other aspects of the past, present, and future of animal rights will be explored. Direct links between the quality of life for humans and animals will also be made. In turn, we hope to inspire students to make a difference in the lives of animals in need.

Issues in Women’s Health

0-2 Credits

Elisabeth Flinsch and Maria Victoria Albina (Section I)

Rachel Mills and Marta Lutsky (Section II)

Sarah Krier and Alice Caplow-Sparks (Section III)

How do different groups of women and individuals interact with the health care system, their bodies, and popular health culture? What can we do about it? Through readings, discussion, and informal research projects, we will address the day to day health concerns of ourselves and different women, and how theses connect to larger theoretical and political issues. Themes connecting the whole semester include the ways class, race, and sexuality change women’s health experiences and options, and the importance of informed choice in every area of health.

Work with a child from the community to form a close, supportive relationship.

SAST’s Exco covers a broad range of topics pertaining to sexual and domestic violence, assault and abuse, through readings, discussions, counseling, role-plays, practice sessions, and outside speakers. Class meets once a week for 2 hours: role play meets once a week for one and a half hours.

This course will explore many topics in sexuality, sexual health, and sex-positivity, including but not limited to anatomy, safer sex, STDs, LGBT issues, kinds of sex, and counseling skills. The class will meet for two hours each week; roleplays will be schedules separately for one hour per week. At the end of the semester, students are invited to apply to be SIC counselors. There will be a small course fee to cover the cost of a reader.

Students for students is a group whose primary goal is to create an enrichment program which draws upon the strengths and talents of college students to create a reciprocal learning relationship with local elementary students. We provide fun and educational activities for children in grades K-5. The primary requirements for this class are energy, dedication, and creativity.

The purpose of this course is to promote and support feminist discussion, study, and engagement between inmates of the Womens’ Northeast Pre-Released Center and Oberlin College students. Weekly meetings and outside reading required. Transportation provided.