This year, my JanTerm course was Reconstruction of Beauty, a class that examines historical definitions of beauty and the societal expectations that shape how it is perceived. Throughout the course, students were encouraged to reconsider where beauty exists and how it can be recognized beyond conventional standards.
A central component of the class was reflection. Students journaled about each location visited during field trips, using observation and personal response to explore different interpretations of beauty. The class visited a mandir to study architectural beauty, the Oddities Museum to consider beauty in unexpected forms, Blue Heron Nature Reserve to examine beauty in nature, and the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta to explore beauty in fashion and design. The course also incorporated experiential practices. One such activity was a sound bath, during which various instruments and sound frequencies were used to promote relaxation and reflection. The experience encouraged students to focus inward and consider ideas of balance and self-perception.
Through these experiences, the course challenged me to think differently about beauty in both myself and the world around me. We discussed how societal standards often pressure people to look or present themselves in certain ways, and how those expectations can influence self-image. The class emphasized the importance of questioning first impressions and recognizing that something initially perceived as unattractive can reveal beauty with closer attention.
The final project for the course was the creation of a photobook that combined images and written reflections collected throughout JanTerm. Each student’s book reflected what they personally found meaningful and beautiful, shaped by the places visited and ideas discussed.
Reconstruction of Beauty reinforced the idea that beauty is not fixed or universal. By encouraging individual interpretation rather than prescribed standards, the course highlighted how perceptions of beauty change over time and why it matters for individuals to define it for themselves.
