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January Term

January Term, or J-Term, is designed to provide maximum opportunity for intense learning either on or off campus.

Returning students enrolled in J-Term have options to earn credits and enhance academic skills. Students can:

  • Earn as many as 4 credits during J-Term
  • Students can select from on-campus, online, or study away course offerings.
  • Enjoy an intensive and focused learning experience
  • Shorten the length of time needed to complete their degree requirements

Three-week courses include opportunities for small group work, hands-on learning, and concentrated time with professors and classmates. Many students find that taking one course in an intensive and supportive environment is a positive experience.

J-Term 2025 Schedule

Sunday, January 5: Students arrive on campus

Monday, January 6: Courses begin. Classes will be held:

  • Week One, three class sessions: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (January 6, 7, 9, 10)
  • Week Two, four class sessions: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (January 13, 14, 16, 17)
  • Week Three, three class sessions: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (January 21, 22, 23)

Thursday, January 23: Final class day

On-campus academic classes meet twice a day for a total of 4.5 hours a day; online classes meet 2.5 hours each class day with PHE courses meeting 1 hours. Students enrolled in J-Term should expect a heavy workload of homework in addition to class time.

Resources

Returning students enrolled in J-Term will work with their core advisor, or a designated advisor if they are enrolled in an upper-level course. The Drake Center for Academic Support will also be available for face-to-face or online appointments during the term for any students seeking additional academic support for coursework.

The library’s full collection of online and physical information resources is available to J-Term students, along with its study spaces. As during the fall and spring semesters, both drop-in support and online and face-to-face appointments are available.

Course Registration Process

Course registration for J-Term 2025 opens at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 24, 2024.

Students register for J-Term courses using Self-Service; academic advisors can help with this process.

Students who are interested or who have questions should contact their academic advisor.

On-Campus Classes — J-Term 2025

ART2251:Graphic Design

Assistant Professor Luke Strosnider

Meets 9:30 a.m. -12 p.m. and 1:30 - 3:15 p.m. each class day

Students will be introduced to the foundational concepts of graphic design and will learn how images, typography, and layout can be combined as a form of both artistic self-expression and creative communication. Following a hands-on, project- based approach, students will engage with both the practical tools and conceptual skills needed to design creatively and effectively. Emphasis will be placed on developing an enhanced awareness of the visual environment that surrounds us and the key role graphic design plays in our understanding of the world. Individual and group projects will introduce students to visual design language, cultivate critical thinking skills, and focus on developing one's own design process.

Prerequisites: none.

COM3065: Internatural Communication

Associate Professor Lee Crocker

Meets 9:30 a.m. -12 p.m. and 1:30 - 3:15 p.m. each class day

This course explores internatural communication, a subfield in communication, where the relationships between humans and nature are analyzed. Scholars of internatural communication consider nature and animals to be cultures that have been marginalized. In this course we study societal beliefs about the environment and animals, and we look at economic and relational factors that have shaped our views of nature. There is a focus on communication and relationships with animals including wildlife, pets, service animals, and farm animals. The course can be used as an elective, and it fits a focus area for the COMEL degree. The course has a strong experiential component with case-studies of relevant organizations, such as farms, environmental organizations,animal shelters and animal training facilities. Students in this course engage in reading, writing and larger projects to study of their own choosing. Students may not receive credit for this course if they have received credit for COM2061 Animal Human Communication.

Prerequisites: Students must have completed WRT1012 and one of the following COM1011 or COM1021 or COM1071.

CRW1011: Creative Writing

Associate Professor John Rose

Meets 9:30 a.m. -12 p.m. and 1:30 - 3:15 p.m. each class day

Students in this course begin to develop their skills in generating creative writing. Emphasis in the class is placed on genre experimentation, generating strategies, revision strategies, and readings in all genres which could include fiction, poetry, drama, creative nonfiction, and children's literature. Emphasis on the elements of fiction and poetry prepares students for more advanced creative writing classes. (3 credits)

Prerequisites: none.

HIS3017: ST: Crafting in U.S. History

Assistant Professor Tyler Baker

Meets 9:30 a.m. -12 p.m. and 1:30 - 3:15 p.m. each class day

This course explores crafting – the practice of making decorative articles by hand – through a historical lens to better understand cultural and social elements of United States history. Crafting is both a regional and national practice as well as an individual and communal activity. Therefore, this course will look at both the broad history behind specific methods of crafting in various regions of the United States; while also emphasizing the role of the individual crafter and the way their socio-cultural identities influence the crafts that they produce. Students will spend part of each class session learning the history behind a specific craft before having the opportunity to participate in the crafts being covered. No previous crafting experience is required.

Prerequisites: none.

HTH2011: Sports First Aid

Assistant Professor Stefanie Argus and Assistant Professor Todd Miller

Meets 9:30 a.m. -12 p.m. and 1:30 - 3:15 p.m. each class day

This course will introduce students to the treatment and prevention of athletic injuries. Students will learn basic anatomy, exercise physiology, sport nutrition and the first aid skills to care for and prevent more than 100 sport-related injuries and illnesses. Course content will be delivered in the form of lectures, readings, videos and skill-based labs. Case studies will reinforce first aid skills as well as anatomy and physiology. Course evaluation will be based on written exams, practical skill exams, and lab exercises. This course uses the established America Sports Education Program Sport First Aid curriculum, a nationally recognized coaching education certification program. Upon completion of the class, students will be eligible to take the ASEP Sport First Aid exam, which is a requirement for many coaching jobs.

Prerequisites: Students must have completed WRT1011 and one of the following: EDU1011 or EDU1001. Students must have also completed EDU1201 and one of the following: BIO1511 or BIO1521 or BIO1522 or CHE1511 or CHE1521 or CHE1522 or GEO1511 or NSC1511 or NSC1000 or NSC1001. Or student must receive instructor premission from the Registrar, Nichole Nietsche.

PHE1181: Walking/Snowshoeing

Instructor, Scott Schaedler

Meeting time 4-5:30 p.m. each class day

This course is designed for students who are interested in beginning a low-impact exercise regimen of walking on varied terrain using optimal striding and breathing techniques. Snowshoeing may also be available as an option; appropriate conditions permitting. Course may not be repeated.

Prerequisites: none.

Online Classes — J-Term 2025

COM1011: introduction to Communications

Associate Professor Liza Burns

Meets 1 - 2:30 p.m. and 3 - 4 p.m. Eastern each class day

This survey course introduces students to the field of communication and enables them to increase their effectiveness and precision as public speakers and members of seminars and groups. Students explore how their perceptions influence the manner in which they communicate and how to use a wide variety of listening skills. They become aware of how verbal and nonverbal language can alter, detract from or enhance messages. Students also employ a variety of language strategies that promote inclusion, honesty, conflict resolution and support from within a group.

Prerequisites: none.

COM3067: ST: Media Fandom

Assistant Professor Eric Milman

Meets 1 - 2:30 p.m. and 3 - 4 p.m. Eastern each class day

This course will be an exploration of the importance of media fandom, fan conventions, and fan creations (e.g., fan art, fanfiction, etc.) from the 1960’s to today. It will also explore the three waves of fandom research that began in the 1980’s. During this course, students will select a media fandom community to study online, performing a Netnography to better understand their chosen fandom both broadly and specifically. Students will be expected to attend synchronous, online class meetings where lectures and class discussions will be held. While time will be set aside to work on assignments in-class, major activities (such as the Netnography) may require students to spend some additional time outside of class to complete their work.

Prerequisites: none.

PHE1185: Fundamentals of an Active Life

Instructor, Nicole Pacenka

Meeting time 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Fundamentals of Sports and Exercise promotes lifelong physical activity habits by introducing students to basic principles, movement concepts, and etiquette of sports and fitness. Students will examine their own lived experience with sports and fitness and engage in physical activity throughout the duration of the course. Students complement their physical activities by exploring fitness and health-related topics through reading and watching weekly lesson content, engaging in class discussions, and the maintenance of a personal activity tracker. Course may not be repeated. (1 Credit)

Prerequisites: None

Study Away — J-Term 2025

LIT3038: The Body Politic- The Political as Persona in British Dramatic Literature (3 credits)

This program will be housed for the three weeks in the London House Hotel in London. Students will explore the interplay of politics and society in British drama and theater throughout history.

Academic Director: Professor Adrienne Major

Program Dates: January 4–25, 2025. 

Application deadline: October 20, 2024

For more information about this program including program fee, travel information and course prerequisites, and to apply, visit the London Study Abroad Webpage.

 

ECO1013: Biodiversity Studies in Costa Rica

Students will explore the rich and varied ecosystems of Costa Rica.

Academic Director: Professor Eric Rhomberg

Program Dates: January 5–24, 2025. 

Application deadline: October 20, 2024

For more information about this program including program fee, travel information and course prerequisites, and to apply, visit the Costa Rica Study Abroad Webpage.

Fees — J-Term 2025 

Landmark College Students, On Campus (January 6 – 23, 2025)

Tuition  $5,485
Room $690
Board       $690
Total $6,865
Tuition (per 1 credit PE course) $870

 

Landmark College Students, Online (January 6 – 23, 2025)

Tuition (per 3 credit course) $4,192
Tuition (per 1 credit PE course) $870
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