Winter Term

DePauw University’s month-long Winter Term each January (the ‘1’ in our ‘4-1-4’ academic calendar) reflects the University’s commitment to non-traditional and experiential learning.  Faculty and students alike engage in adventurous academic exploration in a variety of ways, in an atmosphere with a reduced emphasis on grades. 

All students must complete three Winter Term projects in order to graduate.  There are five main types of projects:

On-Campus Courses

Around 45 courses are taught each January, ranging from purely experiential offerings to more traditional-looking courses with atypical subject matter.  Course topics often showcase areas of unusual faculty expertise, and allow for intensive exploration of the subject matter.  Students enroll in one Winter Term course, which will meet roughly 15 hours per week, and significant out-of-class work is expected.  Courses are graded S/D/U, and attendance at all course sessions is mandatory. 

Winter Term course titles are available at the beginning of the fall semester, with full descriptions available in October.  Enrollment takes place in mid-November via online registration.  On-campus courses may carry associated fees for course materials, field trips, and the like. 

Off-Campus Study and Service Projects

Faculty-led study and service projects combine well-defined educational objectives with unique off-campus opportunities, both domestic and international.  Coursework varies among projects, but typically involves preparatory study prior to departure, structured group sessions while off-campus, reflection, and presentation of student work upon return to campus.  Service projects (our Winter Term in Service program) seek to partner with communities around the globe by assisting with construction, public health, education, the environment, and technology; these projects provide extraordinary opportunities for student leadership.  Study projects aim to cultivate understanding of a particular culture or academic topic through traditional and non-traditional study and cultural immersion.

Projects are announced in the spring of the preceding academic year, and students apply for spots on rosters beginning in April.  First-year students may apply for “open” projects once they arrive on campus.  Some projects reserve spots for first-year students. 

Costs vary from project to project, ranging from $1500-$3800 depending on destination. 

Internships

Students enter a professional setting of their choice, with the purpose of gaining a realistic understanding of a particular occupation.  Part of the goal of the internship program is for students to learn first-hand about the job-search process, and students are expected to identify hosts and establish internship arrangements.  Interns work a minimum of 35 hours per week for the full month of January.  Related coursework requires students to develop their work experience into a more comprehensive learning experience. 

Costs depend on whether travel and living expenses are part of the internship experience; positions are typically unpaid. 

Applications are due at the end of October, at which time all internship arrangements must be in place.  Informational interest meetings are conducted in September and early October, and students interested in internship experiences for Winter Term should not delay in speaking with the Winter Term staff.  Some types of projects are more appropriate for first-year students than others.

Independent Study Projects

Directed independent study requires a significant degree of academic maturity, and in many cases is most effectively carried out by junior and senior-level students.  Independent studies during Winter Term offer the unique opportunity to explore in depth an area of special interest, and must be sufficient in scope to warrant full-time study (35-40 hours/week) throughout the month of January.  Properly done, this type of project requires considerable planning to complete.  Projects are developed in collaboration with a member of the faculty, who serves as the principal point of contact, and to whom the student reports the result of the project.

Applications are due at the end of October.  Interested students must meet with a member of the Winter Term staff as early as possible in the fall semester, before submitting an application, to discuss the proposed project.  First-year students have had some success with collaborative on-campus research projects, particularly in the sciences. 

Project expenses reflect associated study materials and travel. 

Study at Another School or Organization

Students may enroll in a January course offered by another 4-1-4 university or other recognized organization.  First-year students may wish in particular to investigate intensive international language-training programs. 

Applications are due at the end of October, and all applicants are required to meet with a member of the Winter Term staff before applying. 

Much more information about DePauw’s Winter Term program is available on the Winter Term website

https://www.depauw.edu/admin/winterterm/