What You Do
Seminar experience: How You Learn
+ Classroom
The Foresight Prep @ Oberlin classroom incorporates a dynamic mix of discussion, lecture and debate, placing students at the center of the conversation through active, participatory activities. Lead Instructors are established professionals in their fields, and bring their real world insights and experiences to conversations.
+ Field Trips & Guest Speakers
Students meet with a diversity of respected leaders from business, government and the nonprofit sector (on average, 15 individuals per seminar—see "Courses" for list of potential speakers/trips), including corporate executives, grassroots activists, and everything in between. Each seminar incorporates 2-3 full-day field trips, during which students explore inspiring social and environmental projects in Cleveland and the surrounding area.
+ Projects
Students synthesize what they have learned in the classroom and during field trips into the completion of engaging final, small group projects, culminating in a public presentation before an audience of Oberlin community members (past attendees have included Admissions staff, the College's president, College faculty, staff from local nonprofits, and others).
The nature of the final projects is specific to each course topic—past examples have included business plans and "Shark Tank" style pitches for sustainable enterprises; forward-looking regional urban planning proposals; communications plans and materials for local nonprofits; designs for a public campaign to support farmworkers, and more!
+ Typical Day
7:45-8:30 AM: Breakfast
8:50-10:00 AM: Classroom Activity/Discussion 1
10:00-10:10 AM: Break
10:10-11:20 AM: Classroom Activity/Discussion 2
11:20-11:30 AM: Break
11:30 AM-12:30 PM: Guest Speaker
12:45-1:30 PM: Lunch
2:00-4:00 PM: Group project research and execution session
4:00-5:45 PM: Free time (see Social Activities)
5:45-7:00 PM: Dinner
7:30-8:15 PM: Community meeting (includes reflections on day, and residential life issues)
8:15 PM-10:00 PM: Free time
10:00 PM: Check in
On field trip days (2-3 per seminar), students are generally off campus from 8 AM-5 PM.