January Term or J-Term courses are designed to be an intense three-week learning experience allowing students to explore a topic in great detail, in addition to the courses that are part of a traditional fall or spring semester.

All January courses have an emphasis on experiential learning, which is an approach that connects course content with learning experiences inside and outside the classroom. For example, you might participate in simulations, on-site or field studies, research with a faculty member, trips away from campus, performance or studio art, or other hands-on activities. You will plan for that experience, analyze the experience, have structured reflection on what you learned from the experience, and connect it to other information that is part of the course.

Examples of J-Term courses:

Plants and Human Health
Environmental Issues in Costa Rica
Business Tours
Chemistry of Forensics
Go Dog Go: The Human/Canine Connection
Photojournalism
The Wonderful World of Animation
Global Filmmaking
Hippies in the Haight-Ashbury-AI
Presidential Inauguration
Women and Crime
Mechatronics & Smart Product Design
Travel Writing: Guatemala & Int’l Serv.
Celtic Christianity & Roman Catholicism
Soundscapes
The Theory and Practice of Bioethics
Psychology of Stress
Catholic Church in Latin America
Sports Business

The J-Term offers students an opportunity for learning that develops and builds upon key components of the Loras experience including experiential learning, reflective thinking and small, effective learning environments. The breadth of January course offerings provides additional opportunities for students to truly explore the liberal arts. Local, domestic and international courses are all offered, so students have many options. First-year students are not eligible for international J-term opportunities.

Students entering Loras College with less than 40 credits are required to successfully complete at least two (2) Loras College January Term courses as part of their graduation requirements. At least one January term must be completed before the student has completed 56 credits. The successful completion of a Loras-sponsored semester study abroad program may fulfill one January Term course requirement. We encourage students to take as many J-Terms as they want!