Oberlin-in-London Program

Fall 2025 Courses

All participants will take the course taught jointly by Professors Pence and Lopez (which counts as the equivalent of two full courses), one disciplinary course taught by one of the faculty members, and a course on either London history or the London stage. 

Conservatory students interested in TIMARA Private Lessons, Studio Class, or Ensembles, should contact Tom Lopez.

Students majoring in any subject are encouraged to apply. Courses will fulfill specific major requirements for English and TIMARA. 

 

ENGL/TECH 9xx. After Brexit: Cultural Practice in 21st Century Britain. 

(counts the equivalent of two full courses)

"After Brexit," the jointly taught course all students will enroll in this term, will seek to answer these questions through immersive experiences in contemporary culture across a range of media: What do British audiences today respond to? How are contemporary artists articulating what it means to live and create in the UK today? How are identities being figured? What issues are central, and how different does the cultural landscape seem from the US?
This course will also serve as a shared set of experiences that students will further process and reflect upon in the courses Professors Lopez and Pence will teach individually.

Two full courses. HU credit. CD. Jeffrey Pence & Tom Lopez.

 

ENGL 9xx. London Stage and Studio. 

This course is a two-pronged approach to the study of theatre. First, we will dive into the rich offerings on the stages of London, one of the world’s great centers of live theatre. We will look at work from a variety of genres and a diverse array of styles, from classical drama to experimental productions by new artists. Some of our explorations may overlap with the subject matter of the joint course, or even with the sound course offered by Professor Lopez.
In conjunction with our critical engagement with live theatre, the course will also be built around a workshop in which students will develop dramatic works of their own. This combination of critical and creative work will deepen students’ understanding of the persistent potential of this ancient art form in contemporary life. The semester will culminate in readings from the students’ work. They will be expected to produce both critical and creative projects across the semester.

Full course. HU credit. Jeffrey Pence.

 

TECH 9xx. Soundscape Mindfulness and Design: Composing with the Sounds of London. 

What will London sound like in 2025? How does sound reflect neighborhood culture, and human cycles of work and play? How many languages can be heard? Where does nature manage to speak through the volume of technology?
The initial goal of this course will encourage students to explore London with open ears. We will document our listening experiences in a wide variety of locations and create a soundmap of our travels. The primary goal will then support students in the production of creative projects utilizing recorded sound material. Projects may vary depending on the background and interests of each student. A musician could compose electro-acoustic music, a dancer could design a soundtrack, a cinema studies student could score a short film, a writer or journalist could produce a podcast, an actor could design incidental music for a one-act play, and so on.

Full course. HU credit. Tom Lopez. 

 

LOND 907. A History of London

This course explores the history of London from its Roman origins to the present day and examines how royalty, trade, religion, and transport have shaped the city’s pattern of growth over 2000 years. Taught through a combination of classroom study and weekly walking tours and site visits.

Full course, SS credit. Counts toward the History major. Katy Layton-Jones.

 

LOND 908. The London Stage

This course aims to expose students to contemporary British theatre in all its variety. At its heart will be discussion of productions in the current London repertory, with plays ranging from classical to contemporary, and venues including subsidized, commercial, and fringe theatres. Field trips required. 

Full course, HU credit. Counts towards the English major. Gemma Miller.