Experimental College (movement)
Encyclopedia
The Experimental College Movement (also referred to as EXCO or EC) has taken several forms historically, but is generally a school within a school, based out of a college or university, that offers classes taught by not just traditional professors, but students and community members as well (often without grades and often free of charge or in some way associated with social or curricular change).
In the 1960s the idea took the form of a movement, with Experimental Colleges arising at Tufts University and the University of California, Davis, in 1966, and the University of Washington and Oberlin College
in 1968,. In addition to these projects, which still exist today, some Experimental Colleges came in and out of existence, such as the Tussman Experimental College
at the University of California, Berkley, and at the University of Southern California. These projects reflect different approaches to the concept: some hold fast to the principle of cost-free courses, some offer courses for credit, some emphasize a community focus. More recently established Experimental Colleges exist at Haverford and in the Twin Cities.
And while EXCOs draw upon a long history of many radical community movements including Popular Education, Free Schools, Freedom Schools, Work Peoples' Colleges, etc, the original concept is often attributed to Alexander Meiklejohn, who spearheaded such a project at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and authored a book about the experience, The Experimental College, in 1932.
In the 1960s the idea took the form of a movement, with Experimental Colleges arising at Tufts University and the University of California, Davis, in 1966, and the University of Washington and Oberlin College
Oberlin College
Oberlin College is a private liberal arts college in Oberlin, Ohio, noteworthy for having been the first American institution of higher learning to regularly admit female and black students. Connected to the college is the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the oldest continuously operating...
in 1968,. In addition to these projects, which still exist today, some Experimental Colleges came in and out of existence, such as the Tussman Experimental College
Tussman Experimental College
The Tussman Experimental College was an American educational project at the University of California, Berkeley that lasted from 1965 to 1969.Founded by philosophy professor Joseph Tussman, about 300 students were chosen at random to participate....
at the University of California, Berkley, and at the University of Southern California. These projects reflect different approaches to the concept: some hold fast to the principle of cost-free courses, some offer courses for credit, some emphasize a community focus. More recently established Experimental Colleges exist at Haverford and in the Twin Cities.
And while EXCOs draw upon a long history of many radical community movements including Popular Education, Free Schools, Freedom Schools, Work Peoples' Colleges, etc, the original concept is often attributed to Alexander Meiklejohn, who spearheaded such a project at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and authored a book about the experience, The Experimental College, in 1932.
See also
- Experimental College of the Twin CitiesExperimental College of the Twin CitiesThe Experimental College of the Twin Cities is an experimental college in the Minneapolis - Saint Paul area that provides peer-based and free education to the wider community...
- Experimental College at Tufts University