Academic Program in Politics

Overview

The politics curriculum is divided into four main fields:

1. American politics
2. Comparative politics (internal politics of foreign countries)
3. International politics (relations among countries)
4. Political theory (historical and philosophical study of political ideas)

Students who major in politics must take intermediate-level classes in at least three of the four main fields as well as a senior-level research seminar. We also offer a minor and an honors program. Each year we invite our most accomplished second-semester juniors into our Honors Program. The Honors Program in politics consists of an honors thesis, together with written and oral exams administered by a scholar from another institution, as well as closely supervised individual readings.

We invite you to become involved in internships or other forms of practical experience. The Oberlin Initiative for Electoral Politics encourages students to consider careers in elective office through a special course taught each spring and paid internships in campaign-related offices in the summer.

We sponsor and place students in congressional offices in Washington, D.C., in positions with policy and advocacy organizations law firms, and media organizations. Others spend time away from Oberlin studying a wide range of subjects all over the world.