WHAT IS J-TERM?
As part of their degree, ACM students take part in a January Term program (J-Term), a multi-country traveling seminar. Travel spans 2-3 weeks and explores the politics, economics, histories, and cultures of the countries visited. Students work with their academic advisor to choose a seminar from the list below that best fits their program and track. All ACM undergraduate students are required to participate in J-Term in their first or second academic year of enrollment. Some graduate degrees may require students to participate in a specific J-Term seminar that is related to their area of academic focus.
UPCOMING PROGRAM DATES
December 29, 2026 – January 16, 2027
PROGRAMS
Dr. Gregory Mose is a professor of international law and politics at ACM. He received his AB in English Literature from Harvard College and his JD from Duke University School of Law. He earned his PhD in public law in a joint program with Aix-Marseille University and the University of Hamburg. Dr. Mose’s research has focused on the intersections of law, politics and human rights, with a particular focus on conflicts involving religious freedom and other cultural values. He teaches courses on comparative politics, the European Union, human rights, and international humanitarian law. Outside of academia, Dr. Mose’s professional experience includes working as a legal expert for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in West Africa and as a corporate lawyer in London. He has lived in France since 2005 and speaks English, French, and Dutch.
Dr. Carl Jubran, a 1992 alumnus of The Aix Center and previous member of IAU’s Council of Academic Advisors, became IAU’s fifth President in May 2011. He completed his undergraduate education in linguistics, participated in a Master’s program at the Sorbonne, Paris IV through New York University, and later earned his M.A. in Spanish Linguistics and a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature at the University of California. Dr. Jubran was a professor of Language and Literature at the University of San Diego (USD) and also served as Associate Provost for International Affairs. He has developed courses in French, Spanish, Arabic, world civilizations and global studies and has led and overseen programs in France, Mexico, Morocco, and Spain. Dr. Jubran’s multilingual fluency in French, English, Spanish, Arabic, and Hebrew positions him well to lead students, faculty, and staff in developing multicultural understanding and learning the essential importance of the interconnections among social equity and justice, economic viability, and environmental vitality in building sustainable community in today’s world.
Dr. Suzanne Canessa is a Coordinator and Professor at the Center for French Studies since 2023. She is a journalist and Professor of Literature, French, and Music at ACM since 2020. She holds a Bachelor in Musicology, a Master in Applied Languages (English and German), a Master in Comparative Literature, and a PhD in Musicology and Comparative Literature from Aix-Marseille University and the University of Tübingen (Presence of Johann Sebastian Bach in the 20th-century novel, which will be published by Peter Lang this year). She writes on a regular basis for La Marseillaise-Zébuline, Bachtrack, and Cult News about Music, Literature, Performing, and Visual Arts. Her work and research explore the ongoing and multimodal dialogue between Arts and Culture. She is fluent in French and English and advanced in German and Spanish.
Sophie Simon is a French language instructor at ACM-IAU, teaching students at various levels and 
Dr. Guillaume Durand has been a professor of archaeology and art history at IAU since 2002, Assistant Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences since 2014, and leads a January Term Traveling Seminar on Mediterranean Civilizations. Prof. Durand completed a Masters of Art History and Archaeology on Byzantine Studies and a Ph.D. in Romanian History at the Université de Provence. In 2014 he completed a three-year post-doctorate program funded by the European Union and under the aegis of the Romanian Academy (Bucharest) and the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (Paris). He has published two books and several articles in French academic reviews (Cahier des Etudes Romanes, Turcica) and in Romania (Historical Yearbook, Annals of the Spiru Haret University). Professor Durand participates regularly in international conferences in France and throughout Europe and maintains active involvement and oversight of local, regional, and national archaeological excavations. He speaks French, English, Romanian, and Greek.
Professor Pamela Morton is a visiting Associate Professor of Fine Arts at ACM-IAU. Professor Morton is an artist and university teacher who has been living and working in the south of France for over thirty years. An expert on Provence and the artists of the south, she has organized and led museum and site visits for cultural organizations and college students. She lectures on Picasso and Matisse as well as on Cezanne and van Gogh and has taught painting and drawing along with 19th and 20th century art history courses for study abroad programs in Aix and Marseille. With a background that includes art restoration and museum education, Pamela brings special insight to her understanding of artistic works and their settings both in time and place. Like the artists she studies and admires, Pamela finds inspiration for her own work in the bold light and landscapes of the south of France.
Gretchen Elizabeth Smith is Associate Dean for Students in the Meadows School of the Arts and Head of Theatre Studies in the Division of Theatre. She provides oversight for the Meadows offices of Student Academic Services; Scholarships & Financial Aid; and Recruitment & Admissions, and for the Theatre Studies track of the Division of Theatre’s B.F.A. program. Dr. Smith has been a tenured faculty member of the Division of Theatre for two decades, as well as holding the position of Chair (2018-2021).
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Airfare
Students are responsible for the arrangement and purchase of their airfare to the starting destination of the January Term seminar and back to Aix-en-Provence from the ending destination of the program.
Housing
The January Term occurs from late December to mid-January, between the fall and spring semesters. For students participating in homestay living, housing is not available between the end of the fall semester and the beginning of the J-Term program, nor is it available during the January Term. Students who return from the J-Term before the start of the spring semester will be able to resume their homestay at that time.
Note: ACM housing is unavailable between the end of the fall semester and the start of the J-Term semester. During this period, students may choose to travel home or remain in Europe and are responsible for their own accommodations.
Program Inclusions
Double occupancy lodging, some group meals, cultural and course activities, health insurance, emergency support and transportation between sites.
Costs
Students are responsible for additional costs as part of the J-Term program including round-trip airfare to/from the program starting/ending destinations, most meals, and personal expenses. To view information on J-Term costs for all students, please visit the Tuition page.
Please direct any questions to admissions@acmfrance.org.