J Stands For

If you’re wondering what that mysterious “J” stands for in Carthage’s J-Term, here’s the scoop. Officially, it refers to January – the month on the calendar when the vast majority of the action happens. Over time, though, the J has come to represent a lot more to our students.

EXPLORE YOUR j-term OPTIONS at carthage

Just One

Whether you take an offbeat course on campus or head overseas on a faculty-led study tour, there’s a different vibe to J-Term. Your schedule consists of a single class, a deep dive that covers as much material as a typical four-month semester.

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Jaw-Dropping

If you think the photos that students send back from places like Greece, Costa Rica, Tanzania, and India are amazing, imagine what it’s like to see those sights and connect with those locals in person.

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Jiu-Jitsu

As a first-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Professor Rick Matthews teaches interested students the basic techniques of this growing martial art. Besides effective self-defense, the lessons can boost their self-discipline, patience, and health.

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Jobs

Get practical guidance from Carthage’s knowledgeable career specialists, whose on-campus courses spur freshmen and sophomores to connect interests to potential career paths. Juniors and seniors learn the keys to a successful job search and professional life.

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Journalism

Try your hand at sportswriting! Professor Jon Bruning and other faculty members lead two Sports Journalism study tours: one to Europe in January to cover world-class soccer and one to California in summer to report on Major League Baseball.

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Japan

Carthage’s largest vocal and instrumental music ensembles take turns going abroad during J-Term. Seven times, the Wind Orchestra has traveled to Japan — to explore the nation’s musical and cultural traditions, but also to perform for new audiences.

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Jurassic

OK, we cheated on this one. The Triceratops and T. rex fossils our students uncover in the Montana wilderness only date back to the Cretaceous period. Join Professor Thomas Carr, a noted paleontologist, on a real summer dig and learn what the dinosaur movies get wrong.

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Jolt

When you step out of your comfort zone, the results can be startling (in a good way). Some Carthage alumni trace their career choices back to J-Term courses focused on pirates, battle robots, and scuba diving.

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Joyfulness

After a few short weeks abroad, our students return with a newfound perspective on life. Several tours feature service projects in communities that have minimal resources but a bottomless supply of joy.

 

“I will put this experience to use by reminding myself daily of the struggles people go through around the world. I am very blessed to be here in America.”

– Azubuike Whigham ’24, after health care mission to Honduras