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Class Spotlight

Excellent academics are the foundation of a Lewis & Clark education. Our professors are experts in their fields who love to teach, and who love to work with and learn from their students.

Your professors will teach you much more than facts and theory. They will inspire you to live your life as a thoughtful and passionate participant in an ever-changing world. Your small classes will create community, and give you the chance try new ideas and find your voice. The exchange of ideas continues outside of the classroom, with plenty of opportunities for experiential learning.

You will take approximately 32 courses during your time here, meaning you will have the chance to explore beyond your chosen major or minor.

  • Julia Salomone BA '23

    A liberal arts education was super exciting to me, because I knew I wanted the opportunity to learn from different departments beyond my major.

    Julia Salomone BA ’23
    Environmental Studies | Gender Studies | Parkland, Florida
    More about Julia
  • Frankie Spurbeck BA '23

    The liberal arts forces you to take classes you don’t want to take and then you end up really liking them. Ideally, you will learn how to be a critical thinker and an engaged member of your society.

    Frankie Spurbeck BA ’23
    Political Science | Data Science | Minneapolis, Minnesota
    More about Frankie
  • Luz Vazquez BA '25

    The liberal arts prioritize well-rounded and balanced education. You’re encouraged to go outside your field of interest and try new things without sacrificing your major’s goals.

    Luz Vazquez BA ’25
    Psychology | French Studies | San Francisco, California
    More about Luz

Class Spotlight Stories

class spotlight, experiential education, experiential learning, feature story, film, history, Inside-Out, PBS, Portland, top story, undergrad
Reiko Hillyer, professor of history, teaches her popular Crime and Punishment course at the Columbia River Correctional Institution in No...

PBS Shines National Spotlight on ‘Classroom 4’

PBS is streaming Classroom 4, which captures the transformative Inside-Out course taught by Professor Reiko Hillyer, where students break down the walls imposed by incarceration to study, connect, and change each other.

academics, ArtsLC, class spotlight, experiential education, experiential learning, fine arts, theatre, top story, undergrad
Students in Theatre 249 are able to get a peek behind the curtain on tours led by OSF staff.

From Page to Stage

A unique summer theatre course blends in-depth reading and discussion with the excitement of live theatre, culminating in a weeklong trip to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland.

class spotlight, Data Science, experiential education, experiential learning, Portland, top story, undergrad
A student typing on a laptop.

OPB Features L&C Data Science Course

Visiting Assistant Professor Devin Fitzpatrick designed his new course, Data for Good, to challenge students to get their hands dirty—both in messy datasets and in the soil—through a partnership with the Portland-based nonprofit Growing Gardens.

academics, class spotlight, faculty honors, faculty, film, history, Inside-Out, top story, undergrad
Poster for 'Classroom 4' documentary with photo of Reiko Hillyer's Inside-Out Prison Exchange class, with students placing...

Inside-Out Film Wins Best Documentary at 2025 Aspen Shortsfest

CLASSROOM 4, a documentary about Reiko Hillyer’s Inside-Out Prison Exchange class, wins the Jury Award at Aspen Shortsfest.
Center for Community and Global Health, class spotlight, experiential education, experiential learning, FOSA, psychology, top story, undergrad
Jolina Ruckert, who teaches Psychology of Gender, talks with Story Gorge workshop leaders Kyle Glenn (left) and Sean O'Connor.

Psychology Meets Digital Storytelling

Students in an upper-division psychology course are partnering with local video production company Story Gorge to use the art of digital storytelling to explore the experience of gender.

academics, Center for Community and Global Health, class spotlight, environment, environmental studies, ENVX, top story, undergrad
Gwyn Murphy-Cunningham BA '26, a member of the Students Engaged in Eco-Defense Club (SEED), responds to facilitator questions.

Where Environment Meets Community

In this spring’s Environmental Engagement course, students connect classroom learning with real-world conversations, partnering with local nonprofits to address polarizing issues and build mutual trust.

See more class spotlight stories →

  • <div class="statistics_slide swiper-slide"> <div class="statistics_box" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="statistics_box_inner"> <h4 class="statistics_headline" style="font-size: 3rem;"> Favorite Class </h4> <h6 class="statistics_summary" style="font-size: 2rem;"> <strong>International Political Economy with Professor Elizabeth Bennett</strong> </h6> <!-- quote --> <div class="statistics_summary"> <p> Dr. Bennett is a fantastic professor capable of seeing student potential and artfully guiding her students toward success. Through her class, I found a deeper understanding and relations to the humanities. I was able to build on the knowledge from her class in my thesis on Microfinance and Poverty Rates in Guatemala, which won the Political Economy Best Paper Prize of 2021.</p> </div> <div class="profile-box_name" href="/live/profiles/19705-ana-sundvall"> <a href="/live/profiles/19705-ana-sundvall">Ana Sundvall BA ’21</a> </div> <!-- class year --> <div class="profile-box_field"> Major: Classics and International Affairs (double) </div> </div> </div> </div>
  • <div class="statistics_slide swiper-slide"> <div class="statistics_box" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="statistics_box_inner"> <h4 class="statistics_headline" style="font-size: 3rem;"> Favorite Class </h4> <h6 class="statistics_summary" style="font-size: 2rem;"> <strong>Radical Political Economics with Associate Professor Eric Tymoigne</strong> </h6> <!-- quote --> <div class="statistics_summary"> <p> This class opened my mind to the different political systems and the views my fellow classmates had on them. My favorite part about this class was the discussion teaching style where we would have certain discussion points and bounce of ideas and teachings off of each other.</p> </div> <div class="profile-box_name" href="/live/profiles/18328-bennett-gazor"> <a href="/live/profiles/18328-bennett-gazor">Bennett Gazor BA ’25</a> </div> <!-- class year --> <div class="profile-box_field"> Major: Psychology </div> <div class="profile-box_field"> Minor: Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation </div> </div> </div> </div>
  • <div class="statistics_slide swiper-slide"> <div class="statistics_box" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="statistics_box_inner"> <h4 class="statistics_headline" style="font-size: 3rem;"> Favorite Class </h4> <h6 class="statistics_summary" style="font-size: 2rem;"> <strong>Biological Core Concepts: Systems with Visiting Assistant Professor Emma Wear</strong> </h6> <!-- quote --> <div class="statistics_summary"> <p> It was a great introduction to ecology, evolution, and the more complex parts of biology. I love the way it has expanded how I view the world around me and helped solidify my passion for biology.</p> </div> <div class="profile-box_name" href="/live/profiles/16643-whitney-maxfield"> <a href="/live/profiles/16643-whitney-maxfield">Whitney Maxfield BA ’25</a> </div> <!-- class year --> <div class="profile-box_field"> Major: Biology </div> <div class="profile-box_field"> Minor: Data Science </div> </div> </div> </div>
  • <div class="statistics_slide swiper-slide"> <div class="statistics_box" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="statistics_box_inner"> <h4 class="statistics_headline" style="font-size: 3rem;"> Favorite Class </h4> <h6 class="statistics_summary" style="font-size: 2rem;"> <strong>Operating Systems with Computer Science Lecturer Alain Kägi</strong> </h6> <!-- quote --> <div class="statistics_summary"> <p> <span style="font-weight: 400;">This class taught me the building blocks of computers, and showed me the assumptions I had about operating systems. I was able to put theory into practice by working on fundamental programming problems.</span> </p> </div> <div class="profile-box_name" href="/live/profiles/14558-carlos-garcia-moran"> <a href="/live/profiles/14558-carlos-garcia-moran">Carlos García Morán BA ’24</a> </div> <!-- class year --> <div class="profile-box_field"> Major: Computer Science </div> <div class="profile-box_field"> Minor: Philosophy </div> </div> </div> </div>
  • <div class="statistics_slide swiper-slide"> <div class="statistics_box" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="statistics_box_inner"> <h4 class="statistics_headline" style="font-size: 3rem;"> Favorite Class </h4> <h6 class="statistics_summary" style="font-size: 2rem;"> <strong>Abstract Algebra with Sweta Suryanarayan</strong> </h6> <!-- quote --> <div class="statistics_summary"> <p> It’s so fun getting an introduction to abstract structures that underscore all of higher mathematics, and Sweta is an excellent guide to the world of groups, rings, and fields. It could be very hard at times, but it was incredibly rewarding, and I feel so lucky that I got to take it at such a great place with such a great instructor.</p> </div> <div class="profile-box_name" href="/live/profiles/23424-lucien-petit"> <a href="/live/profiles/23424-lucien-petit">Lucien F. Petit BA ’25</a> </div> <!-- class year --> <div class="profile-box_field"> Major: Mathematics </div> <div class="profile-box_field"> Minor: Philosophy </div> </div> </div> </div>
  • <div class="statistics_slide swiper-slide"> <div class="statistics_box" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="statistics_box_inner"> <h4 class="statistics_headline" style="font-size: 3rem;"> Favorite Class </h4> <h6 class="statistics_summary" style="font-size: 2rem;"> <strong>Medicine Healing and Culture with Professor Sepideh Bajracharya</strong> </h6> <!-- quote --> <div class="statistics_summary"> <p> This course greatly expanded the way I think about social constructions of health, healing, and illness. Professor Bajracharya invites students to engage deeply with their lived experiences, and facilitates fascinating discussions.</p> </div> <div class="profile-box_name" href="/live/profiles/22580-sophia-riley"> <a href="/live/profiles/22580-sophia-riley">Sophia Riley BA ’25</a> </div> <!-- class year --> <div class="profile-box_field"> Major: Sociology and Anthropology </div> </div> </div> </div>
  • <div class="statistics_slide swiper-slide"> <div class="statistics_box" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="statistics_box_inner"> <h4 class="statistics_headline" style="font-size: 3rem;"> Favorite Class </h4> <h6 class="statistics_summary" style="font-size: 2rem;"> <strong>Technology of the Future with Professor Kellar Autumn</strong> </h6> <!-- quote --> <div class="statistics_summary"> <p> The class was an intimate environment that revolved around the innovation process. Throughout a series of fun and engaging projects where you and your team get to pitch innovative ideas to the rest of the class, I gained unparalleled experience in teamwork, research and development, and presenting.</p> </div> <div class="profile-box_name" href="/live/profiles/18356-sebastian-deprez"> <a href="/live/profiles/18356-sebastian-deprez">Sebastian DePrez BA ’25, MA ’28</a> </div> <!-- class year --> <div class="profile-box_field"> Major: Computer Science and Mathematics </div> <div class="profile-box_field"> Minor: Data Science and Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation (double) </div> </div> </div> </div>
  • <div class="statistics_slide swiper-slide"> <div class="statistics_box" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="statistics_box_inner"> <h4 class="statistics_headline" style="font-size: 3rem;"> Favorite Class </h4> <h6 class="statistics_summary" style="font-size: 2rem;"> <strong>Philosophy: Ethics with Visiting Assistant Professor Eli Lichtenstein</strong> </h6> <!-- quote --> <div class="statistics_summary"> <p> I left with a vast array of knowledge and critical-thinking procedures that I was not aware I lacked. What’s more, I got the experience of having a professor who cares about and values his students, and is someone who wants to get involved even outside of class.</p> </div> <div class="profile-box_name" href="/live/profiles/17735-kenan-imamovic"> <a href="/live/profiles/17735-kenan-imamovic">Kenan Imamovic BA ’25</a> </div> <!-- class year --> <div class="profile-box_field"> Major: Computer Science and Psychology (double) </div> </div> </div> </div>
  • <div class="statistics_slide swiper-slide"> <div class="statistics_box" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="statistics_box_inner"> <h4 class="statistics_headline" style="font-size: 3rem;"> Favorite Class </h4> <h6 class="statistics_summary" style="font-size: 2rem;"> <strong>Rhetorical Discourse</strong> </h6> <!-- quote --> <div class="statistics_summary"> <p> Professor Gantt does a great job teaching students how to speak persuasively in organized settings in Rhetorical Discourse.</p> </div> <div class="profile-box_name" href="/live/profiles/21237-colin-blume"> <a href="/live/profiles/21237-colin-blume">Colin J. Blume BA ’26</a> </div> <!-- class year --> <div class="profile-box_field"> Major: Rhetoric and Media Studies </div> <div class="profile-box_field"> Minor: Art and Art History </div> </div> </div> </div>
  • <div class="statistics_slide swiper-slide"> <div class="statistics_box" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="statistics_box_inner"> <h4 class="statistics_headline" style="font-size: 3rem;"> Favorite Class </h4> <h6 class="statistics_summary" style="font-size: 2rem;"> <strong>Inside-Out Prison Exchange</strong> </h6> <!-- quote --> <div class="statistics_summary"> <p> In the Inside-Out course I have felt challenged not only as an actress, but also as a person, in the best ways. </p> </div> <div class="profile-box_name" href="/live/profiles/21523-evelyn-gore"> <a href="/live/profiles/21523-evelyn-gore">Evelyn Gore BA ’26</a> </div> <!-- class year --> <div class="profile-box_field"> Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theatre </div> </div> </div> </div>
  • <div class="statistics_slide swiper-slide"> <div class="statistics_box" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="statistics_box_inner"> <h4 class="statistics_headline" style="font-size: 3rem;"> Favorite Class </h4> <h6 class="statistics_summary" style="font-size: 2rem;"> <strong>Comparative Politics</strong> </h6> <!-- quote --> <div class="statistics_summary"> <p> I’m a first-year student, so I haven’t taken many classes, but I really enjoy learning about what is going on in the rest of the world and in other countries.</p> </div> <div class="profile-box_name" href="/live/profiles/20425-christi-san-diego"> <a href="/live/profiles/20425-christi-san-diego">Christi San Diego BA ’27</a> </div> <!-- class year --> <div class="profile-box_field"> Major: Political Science </div> </div> </div> </div>
  • <div class="statistics_slide swiper-slide"> <div class="statistics_box" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="statistics_box_inner"> <h4 class="statistics_headline" style="font-size: 3rem;"> Favorite Class </h4> <h6 class="statistics_summary" style="font-size: 2rem;"> <strong>We Tell Ourselves Stories with Megan Pugh</strong> </h6> <!-- quote --> <div class="statistics_summary"> <p> We used a number of different art forms (visual and literary) to discuss the importance of telling stories: why we tell them, who we tell them to, and everything in between. Joan Didion’s quote, “We tell ourselves stories in order to live,” was Megan’s inspiration for the class. I’d take it a thousand times more if I could, and I’d recommend it just as many times.</p> </div> <div class="profile-box_name" href="/live/profiles/10667-tuse-mahenya"> <a href="/live/profiles/10667-tuse-mahenya">Tuse Mahenya BA ’21</a> </div> <!-- class year --> <div class="profile-box_field"> Major: English </div> <div class="profile-box_field"> Minor: Political Economy </div> </div> </div> </div>
  • <div class="statistics_slide swiper-slide"> <div class="statistics_box" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="statistics_box_inner"> <h4 class="statistics_headline" style="font-size: 3rem;"> Favorite Class </h4> <h6 class="statistics_summary" style="font-size: 2rem;"> <strong>Songwriting with Rebecca Smith</strong> </h6> <!-- quote --> <div class="statistics_summary"> <p> Unlike my classical music studies, this class offers complete freedom in what I choose to explore. I receive guidance from a professional musician, who supports me in realizing my unique vision and provides training for the real world of contemporary music.</p> </div> <div class="profile-box_name" href="/live/profiles/18361-marta-ruzi"> <a href="/live/profiles/18361-marta-ruzi">Marta Ružić BA ’25</a> </div> <!-- class year --> <div class="profile-box_field"> Major: Music </div> </div> </div> </div>
  • <div class="statistics_slide swiper-slide"> <div class="statistics_box" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="statistics_box_inner"> <h4 class="statistics_headline" style="font-size: 3rem;"> Favorite Class </h4> <h6 class="statistics_summary" style="font-size: 2rem;"> <strong>Professor Rishona Zimring’s honors seminar on the works of Virginia Woolf</strong> </h6> <!-- quote --> <div class="statistics_summary"> <p> Rishona’s course pushed me to engage with some of Woolf’s more challenging essays, and I became a more critical reader and writer as a result.</p> </div> <div class="profile-box_name" href="/live/profiles/19826-noah-foster-koth"> <a href="/live/profiles/19826-noah-foster-koth">Noah Foster-Koth BA ’19</a> </div> <!-- class year --> <div class="profile-box_field"> Major: English, Hispanic Studies </div> </div> </div> </div>
  • <div class="statistics_slide swiper-slide"> <div class="statistics_box" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="statistics_box_inner"> <h4 class="statistics_headline" style="font-size: 3rem;"> Favorite Class </h4> <h6 class="statistics_summary" style="font-size: 2rem;"> <strong>Molecular Biology taught by Assistant Professor Sharon Torigoe</strong> </h6> <!-- quote --> <div class="statistics_summary"> <p> This class has taught me more about the experimental process, and, while it’s very challenging, I can tell that I am learning a lot. Dr. Torigoe is super passionate about the subject and makes me excited to come to class and learn too.</p> </div> <div class="profile-box_name" href="/live/profiles/18311-katie-ingersoll"> <a href="/live/profiles/18311-katie-ingersoll">Katie Ingersoll BA ’25</a> </div> <!-- class year --> <div class="profile-box_field"> Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology </div> </div> </div> </div>
Bruce posing outside, wearing a dark suit and a blue tie.

Office of the Dean of the College is located in room 201 of Albany on the Undergraduate Campus.
MSC: 47

email 

voice 503-768-7100 

Dean Bruce Suttmeier

  • Office of the Dean of the College
    Lewis & Clark
    615 S. Palatine Hill Road 
    Portland OR 97219