Need an activity while staying on campus during the January break?
Looking to take a unique course, not offered in the fall or spring?
Interested in earning credits in only two weeks?
Whatever you need, you'll find it at Drew during Jan Term, a collection of new and unique learning opportunities Drew created for you!
Course Listings
Dates
Classes run Monday, January 11 - Friday, January 22, 2010. No classes on Monday, January 18, 2010.
Cost
The cost per credit is $557, making the cost of a 2 credit course $1114. Drew financial assistance is not available for Jan Term courses.
Registration
Jan term classes are limited to those students currently enrolled at Drew. All classes are worth 2 credits, and students can register for a maximum of one Jan term course. Students can take a Jan term course in conjunction with a January internship or independent study. Registration starts on Tuesday, October 27th and runs through Friday, December 11th.
All changes in registration must be filed in writing in person at the Office of the Registrar or via email (regist@drew.edu). Non-attendance does not constitute an official withdrawal. Please note that there is no formal audit of record for Jan term courses; all courses must be taken for credit.
Below is the schedule for changes in registration and refunds:
- Last day to register a Jan term class: By Tuesday, January 12, 2010.
- Last day to drop a Jan term class and receive 100% tuition refund: By midnight on January 11, 2010.
- Last day to drop a Jan Term class and receive a 50% tuition refund: By midnight on January 12, 2010.
- Last day to withdraw without W grade: By midnight on January 12, 2010.
- Last day to withdraw with a W grade: By midnight on January 15, 2010.
- Classes dropped after end of day on January 15, 2010 are recorded with a grade of U (unsatisfactory).
Housing
Students who are not already residing on campus as part of an athletic team can move into campus housing on Sunday, January 10th. For a Jan term housing application, please see Bob Meade in the Housing office: rmeade@drew.edu or (973) 408-3681. The cost for room and board from January 10, 2010 through January 22, 2010 is $561.60
Other January Learning Opportunities
January at Drew is an opportunity for students to engage in experiential learning programs or to conduct research projects. Students can participate in an academic internship, undertake independent study, do research for honors, be part of a Drew International Seminar, or join other students in volunteer activities. Learn more about these other January opportunities.
Course Descriptions
Chemistry
CHEM 29 Foundations of Chemistry/Biochemistry Research (2 credits)
This laboratory/studio course introduces declared and potential science majors to the research methods and programs of faculty in the department of chemistry. Topics include literature searches, strategies for reading research articles, and analytical and instrumental techniques for laboratory research. Students will spend the majority of time participating in two of the following research projects: synthesis and characterization of osmium carbonyl clusters, interactions between metal ions and nucleic acid models, chemistry of model atmospheric aerosols with ozone, and molecular mechanisms of gene silencing. Enrollment priority will be given to sophomore and first-year students who intend to pursue science degrees, especially in chemistry, biochemistry, environmental science or physics. Prerequisites: Chem 25, or Chem 6/6A with a grade of B or better, or instructor’s signature. (This course may be substituted for Chem 106 as the prerequisite for Chemistry Research, Chem 129.)
This course partially fulfills the Gen Ed Breadth Requirement in Natural Science (BNS).
Instructors: Team taught by Drs. Mary-Ann Pearsall, Adam Cassano, Ryan Hinrichs, and Jane Liu.
Date: January 11 - 22, 2010 (no class 1/18/10); M, T, W, TH, F
Time: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 - 4 p.m.
Lab fee: $200
Classics
CL 28 Classical Civilization: Greeks, Persians, and Spartans: Beyond “300”
To the ancient Greeks, the Persian Wars of 490 (the Battle of Marthon) and 480-79 BCE (the invasion of Xerxes) were a massive cultural clash between Europe and Asia, each with its own customs and values. This conflict gave rise to the first great work of history and ethnography, Herodotus’ Histories; we also commemorate it with the Marathon race. This 2-credit course looks at how the Greeks perceived the Persians, and also at the Persian side: what were they like, and what would they say about this event? More recently (2006), the movie 300 produced controversial images of this war. We compare the movie with actual history and look at what it says about perceptions of East and West today. The movie glorifies the ancient Spartan warrior ethic, so the course also looks at what we really know about the unique character of ancient Sparta.
Instructor: John Lenz
Date: January 11 - 22, 2010 (no class 1/18/10); M, T, W, TH, F
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Economics
ECON 29 Economics of Terrorism (2 credits)
Terrorism is often studied from a political standpoint; however, it has multiple causes and effects. As we continue to understand, explain and attempt to stop terrorism, economic considerations are now coming to the forefront of much of the discourse on terrorism. Policy makers and academics are now spending much more time discussing the role economics plays in the causes of terrorism as well as on the strategies and policies taken to combat terrorism. This course will explore many of the most significant debates concerning the economics of terrorism in the twenty-first century. We will develop in this course a framework of analysis that examines both the demand and supply side of terrorist activity. The demand-side variables will focus on socio-economic and political constraints that exist in many parts of the world where we find terrorist organizations flourishing. The supply-side variables will emphasis incentives such as social networks and resources available for movements to mobilize recruits and carry out terrorist acts. We will incorporate into our discussion a number of case studies from different parts of the world; however, the Middle East and Islamic militancy will be an important case study. We will also use economic concepts to understand the behavior of individuals and organizations that employ the tools of terrorism and, hopefully, come up with some economically sound measures to combat terrorism. Some of the topics we will explore are the costs of terrorism both from the act and attempts to counter it, the sources of terrorism (Is poverty a factor?), money laundering and economic considerations of improving security. Terrorism imposes many costs that go beyond economics, but acknowledging this fact does not eliminate the economic considerations. By understanding the economic roots of terrorism, we will be better equipped to take a multi-faceted approach to this pressing topic.
Instructor: Nora Colton
Date: January 11 - 22, 2010 (no class 1/18/10); M, T, W, TH, F
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
History
HIST 190 Gangster Films of the 1930s (2 credits)
This course employs famous gangster and detective films from the 1930s to explore developments in early twentieth-century America including Prohibition, the Great Depression, organized crime and federal law enforcement, the gangster as hero, and the development of literary and film genres such as detective fiction and film noire. Films include Public Enemy, Maltese Falcon, Scarface, Fugitive from a Chain Gang, and G-Men.
Instructor: Wyatt Evans
Date: January 11 - 22, 2010 (no class 1/18/10); M, T, W, TH, F
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Humanities
HUM 20 New York Dystopias: Apocalyptic Nightmares of the Big Apple (2 credits)
This course will explore the way New York has been envisioned, used, in film and fiction to depict a future of decay, chaos, violence, and unrest. From the earliest silent films, NYC has been the canvas to explore our unease with the modern environment. Why has NYC become such a symbol of urbanism/modernism run amuck, of a future so unhinged. Using NYC as a space to paint a dangerous future has allowed film makers and writers to be both imaginative and concrete because NYC has represented danger for over 100 years. We will read and discuss films to gain a better understanding of how cities fit into the American imagination. We will ask what is that we fear in the urban future. In what way does this fear find root in current culture? Through fiction and imagined space we learn a lot about what we believe as a culture.
Instructor: Rich Greenwald
Date: January 11 - 22, 2010 (no class 1/18/10); M, T, W, TH, F
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Political Science
PSCI 131 The Political Theory of Evil (2 credits)
This course explores the nature of politics and the concept of evil. What is evil and what it is relationship to politics? Is doing evil acceptable in the name of some greater good? What motivates people to engage in political violence and what is the relationship between evil and violence? Is there something inherent in human beings that makes them violent and destructive? These questions ultimately ask whether political activity is a cure for evil or merely its most powerful expression. In investigating this issue we will read some of the classic writings of such political thinkers as Machiavelli and Nietzsche along side one of the most important 20th century political commentators, Hannah Arendt.
Instructor: Joe Romance
Date: January 11 - 22, 2010 (no class 1/18/10); M, T, W, TH, F
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Psychology
PSYC 30 The Global Burden of Mental Illness (2 credits)
Disease states with the greatest impact on quality of life have a relatively early onset and a chronic non-fatal course. These features are characteristic of a number of common psychiatric disorders, including depression, which is by some estimates the leading cause of disability worldwide. The burden of mental illness is particularly prominent in some developing areas of the world, where data on prevalence are lacking and where resources for treatment are scarce. Using a recent World Health Organization report as an initial framework, this course will examine issues related to the epidemiology and treatment of mental illness worldwide, with specific emphasis on chronic psychiatric states. The course will draw on specific cases to explore potential regional disparities in public understanding of mental illness and in research and treatment efforts. Students with interests in psychology, public health, or medicine are particularly encouraged to enroll, but the course has no prerequisites.
Instructor: Graham Cousens
Date: January 11 - 22, 2010 (no class 1/18/10); M, T, W, TH, F
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Sociology
SOC 52 Garbage: Sociological Studies of Trash (2 credits)
Garbage is the other side of culture. In this course we consider some of the historical, cultural, sociological, and political aspects of garbage, waste, refuse, and dirt. Our garbage and our waste can be considered a mirror in which our actions and our values are reflected back to us. Students will look through sociology at a number of controversies and debates about what trash is, what we do with it, and how we suffer from it. Thinking critically about trash will bring us up against many of the most pressing social and environmental issues human beings face today.
Instructor: Eric Friedman
Date: January 11 - 22, 2010 (no class 1/18/10); M, T, W, TH, F
Time: 6 - 9 p.m.
Spanish
SPAN 117 Food, Culture and Me (2 credits)
In this course we will look at food as a powerful symbol of power, hierarchy, gender, class distinction (good and bad taste), personal, ethnic and national identity. We specifically will explore food as a vehicle by which to analyze the production and reception of Latin cultures in the U.S., both in relation to immigrant communities, as well as U.S. Latinos. The course includes a field trip to ethnic restaurants in Morristown.
Instructor: Nancy Noguera
Date: January 11 - 22, 2010 (no class 1/18/10); M, T, W, TH, F
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Theatre Arts
THEA 138: The Business of Acting (2 credits)
This course is designed specifically for theatre majors looking to pursue a career as a professional actor and will cover the basics of planning for and managing a beginning acting career. Focus will be on applying business concepts and acting techniques to the actors’ work of booking jobs. Enrollment in this course is limited to theatre majors. Permission of instructor required for registration.
Instructor: Jen Plants
Date: January 11 - 22, 2010 (no class 1/18/10); M, T, W, TH, F
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
THEA 165 The Stage and Its Plays: New York Theatre Now (2 credits)
This course will explore current practices and trends in the vast and ever-changing New York theatre scene. Students will explore theatre and theatrical events at both commercial and non-profit theatres, with a special emphasis on work beyond mainstream Broadway theatres. The course will include a cursory study of New York theatrical history, attendance at a number of theatrical performances, conversations with working theatre artists, and visits to pertinent New York theatre landmarks. The focus will be on contemporary texts.
Instructor: Jen Plants
Date: January 11 - 22, 2010 (no class 1/18/10); M, T, W, TH, F
Time: 2:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Evening field trips required; for more information, contact Prof. Plants at jplants@drew.edu
Activities fee: $350
