Faculty Quotes on Cornell's Block Plan

Digging into literature “I like teaching literature on the block plan because -- especially with really rich texts like Milton's Paradise Lost, Allen Ginsburg's Howl, or Virginia Woolf's The Waves -- we can really dig in and sustain intense readings of these texts. Students get the opportunity to inhabit the literature: they can feel its textures, breathe its rhythms.” Shannon Reed, English professor

Art school meets the liberal arts “At Cornell it is art all day, no short period of working between preparation and clean up. It's like studying at an art school for that particular term but with the added advantage of being in a liberal arts atmosphere where courses from other areas inform the students’ artwork.” Doug Hanson, studio art professor

History without boundaries “Cornell history courses incorporate movies, travel to the Newberry Library in Chicago, the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library, and the Meskwaki Tribal Reservation — all because of the flexibility of OCAAT. With OCAAT we can immerse ourselves in our subject, and from different perspectives examine books, articles, letters, speeches, and more.” Phil Lucas, history professor

Courses anywhere in the world "With OCAAT, students have a chance to actually experience other cultures where we can reinforce what they're studying. I take students to Trinidad and Barbados and to the Island of San Salvador in The Bahamas." Alfrieta Monagan, anthropology professor

Independent study without distraction “I recently taught a course in bioinformatics that students really enjoyed. Afterward, three different students extended a class project into a full-fledged research project. A major reason they were successful was their ability to use an independent study block to get the project going. Here students can really delve into work as deeply as they want to without distractions from other courses." Andy Widenberg, computer science professor

Language immersion = immediate results “By the end of their first week of foreign language study at Cornell, students are able to give an oral presentation in the target language. And students can complete the normal ‘two-year’ equivalency of language required by most colleges in just four blocks at Cornell. There are exciting opportunities as well for more in-depth language study through independent study classes, off-campus internships, and several courses that are taught abroad allowing for total immersion.” Carol Lacy-Salazar, Spanish professor

Student teaching with support and feedback “Only on the block plan at Cornell College can students be placed in public schools half of the day and in the college classroom the other half of the day discussing what was observed and the theoretical connections. These practicum opportunities allow our students to progress with meaningful and immediate feedback from faculty and practicing classroom teachers.” Kerry Bostwick, education professor

Building faculty/student relationships “There are conversations and interactions with students on the block plan that I never got to have on the semester system. That bond inspires students to work harder than they ordinarily would.” Bob Black, biology professor

Finals in the museum "In Twentieth-Century Art, students take a daylong final exam in nearby museums, considering works of art they have never seen in class. When they can think on their feet and respond to unknown images with informed comments, I have succeeded as a teacher." Christina McComber, art history professor

Flexible labs, well-rounded scientists “In many science courses, lab and lecture are integrated; students move back and forth between the lab and the classroom, with breaks dictated by the material rather than by the clock. And at Cornell, a chemistry major in an English course or a political science course can devote his or her time and energy to that course. The result is more than just an ‘exposure’ to the liberal arts.” Cindy Strong, chemistry professor

Intensive acting studio "With OCAAT you essentially have the structure of an intensive acting studio, with students’ time dedicated exclusively to their acting projects. I love having the students all to myself for a month, and am always thrilled with the progress that a truly disciplined student is able to make in that concentrated period." Jody Hovland, theatre professor

Blending political theory and practice “Our faculty members encourage students to venture out into the world where ideas are practiced. Students in ‘Wilderness Politics’ go to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, and ‘Ethics and Public Policy’ students have gone to Miami Beach to study efforts in Dade County to reduce corruption in local government and build public trust in political leaders.” Rob Sutherland, politics professor

From lecture to lab to off-campus opportunities “OCAAT provides the opportunity to work individually with students during times other than scheduled class sessions. It also allows us to take students off campus to observe professionals working in our field or to gain valuable practical experience in a variety settings.” Steve DeVries, kinesiology professor