Registration for January Term classes began Thursday for third and fourth years and will be open for first and second years on Friday.
Each year the University offers a two week intensive term of classes, allowing students to earn credits in between Fall and Spring semester by taking one class. Known as J-term, these classes are either taken at the University or as a study abroad course.
The University is offering over 50 classes this year, 14 of which are study abroad.
“January Term began in 2005 and has rapidly become an integral part of the academic experience of many students,” Rachel Miller, associate director of Summer and Special Academic Programs said. “Right now 280 students -— a record — are enrolled in the J-term 2016 study abroad programs.”
January term courses distinguish themselves from courses in other terms because many are on non-traditional topics and include daily, intensive classroom instruction, Miller said.
“Because students take just one class and are in that class for an extended period of time, students and faculty have a chance to really immerse themselves in a topic of interest,” she said.
Assoc. Politics Prof. David Waldner, who taught January term classes from 2005 to 2012, said he believes the concentration and daily instruction make J-term a constructive and successful program.
“The benefit is total immersion," he said. “When you meet daily there’s continuity and you can move at an accelerated pace.”
Many of these courses also include brief trips to engage with organizations or people relevant to the course material.
Since the program began in 2005, January term has seen an expansion of available courses and student participation. In 2005 14 classes were available — 12 on-Grounds and two abroad.
In 2011, 771 students enrolled in January term courses whereas last year the University saw 966 students participate in the program. The majority of students are College of Arts and Sciences students, as the College offers the greatest number of courses.
The most sought-after classes have tended to be politics courses, Miller said.
“Our most popular classes for the last several years have been in the politics department,” she said. “Paul Freedman’s Politics of Food has been a staple of J-term and is well received each year.”
Other schools, such as the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, the McIntire School of Commerce, the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the School of Nursing all offer January term courses alongside the College.
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