Unique opportunites give January flair

Each New Year, as students at many schools migrate back to campus for another semester, Luther students return to start January Term.

The semester-January term-semester (3-1-3) schedule became popular in the 1960s and 70s, and Luther was one of many schools to adopt it. As time passed and some colleges moved away from the 3-1-3 schedule, Luther sustained the program and made it even more impactful.

What was it about January Term that has kept its place here at Luther? To begin with, it serves as a sort of mental break of balancing all aspects of college life. Instead of four to six classes and other activities, students only take one class each day.

“It’s a way for students to concentrate on one thing, an experience many people don’t get often,” Associate Professor of Religion and Associate Dean Terry Sparkes said.

Also, J-Term allows people to break out of their learning bubble. First-year seminars, which became mandatory in 2008, are geared towards looking at the bigger picture. The 185-level classes range from the history of Germany to the psychology of religion to growing old in America.

Sophomores, juniors and seniors are given the chance to explore learning interpersonally and intrapersonally by choosing between J-Term II options, including study abroad, internships or independent study. For many students, this is a chance to test the waters with new subjects or activities.

Studying in a foreign country for a semester or summer can be quite a daunting change for some. J-Term offers the ability to study abroad with Luther staff and students for a shorter period of time.

For some it can help to gauge how to handle a longer experience.

“As a Russian major, I’ll have to study a semester abroad, so spending a couple weeks [in Norway and Russia] first will be really helpful both now and in the future,” Meghan McCall (‘12) said.

Though J-Term gives students the chance to do many things pertaining to their studies, it also allows students to explore academics outside their majors or minors. Independent studies, for example, provide students with the opportunity to study a wide variety of topics.

This J-Term, the Art and Theatre Department is moderating two unique independent studies.

“A couple of students are doing design, but there is one student who is actually a music major, studying American plays,” Art Department Head Jeff Dintaman said. “Another student is working on creating instruction books for complicated origami and tessellations.”

In addition to expanding your learning, J-term is a great time to educate and help others. This year, Africana Studies Department Head Martin Klammer is returning to South Africa with Africana Studies 239, New Hope Summer Camp South Africa, Service Learning and Vocation.

“We work with kids that come from a disadvantaged neighborhood,” Klammer said. “The theme for this year is to love your neighbor as yourself. We want to help them gain a positive sense of self and community.”

No matter which option, January term provides the campus with new and interesting experiences each and every year.