Credits: 4 per term
Students have the option (through advisement) to complete one of their five elective courses during NYU’s J-Term semesters, either at NYUAD or at one of NYU’s study away sites. The January Term offers a distinctive learning experience, different from what can be offered during the fall and spring semesters. Students take one course full-time for approximately three weeks. The courses are designed as immersive experiences: they intensify the student’s focus; reach beyond the classroom to incorporate experiential learning; and are often site-specific, connecting students to the place where they study. Taking a single course during January Term gives students more time for concentrated reflection on a dedicated topic than is the case during the semester when students must split their time between several courses. The intensity of the shared experience also forges an unusually strong bond between the students and their professor. Although January Term is short, it has significant impact because of its immersive character and integration of theoretical and experiential learning.
January Term courses are taught by renowned visiting scholars, writers, artists, journalists, and policy analysts from institutions around the world, as well as distinguished professors from NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU New York. January Term also features pre-professional courses taught by faculty from NYU's professional schools.
Students are encouraged to study at NYU’s sites with an art focus (NYU New York, NYU Abu Dhabi, and NYU Berlin) though they may elect to complete coursework at NYU’s other academic sites based on their research interests. Students may also propose a global directed study for the J-Term session which might involve an intensive apprenticeship with an established artist or craftsperson, or a focused artist residency at specialized school or foundation. All global directed study proposals must be developed directly with a student’s faculty advisor.