INTRODUCTION

Following the success of the Summer Programmes, Galillee College, Israel has now developed a winter programme for faculty and graduate students from around the world who are interested in the Middle East.  The programme focuses on the Jewish/Christian/Islam religious their roots in Israel and relations and Israeli – Palestinian conflict, background and current situation.

The programme begins with an overview of the Land of Israel-Palestine region, presenting the historical background of the region, as well as an overview of social and economic conditions, ethnic and religious backgrounds. The lectures are supplemented by Study Tours to enable students to experience these issues at first hand.

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

The duration of the programme is twelve days and it is very intensive; comprising 80 academic hours of lectures by Palestinian and Israeli academic and experts, offering their respective points of view. In addition, Study Tours to historical sites and will offer the students additional first hand experience of the region.

OBJECTIVES
The programme aims to:
Present an overview of the history of the Land of Israel-Palestine.
Acquaint the students with the different ethnic and religious groups in the region, their way of
       life, beliefs, views and inter-relations. 
Present different perspectives and views regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Deepen participants' understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and current issues.

PARTICIPANTS

The winter programme is intended for faculty and graduate students preferably who are in the process of studying courses associated with the Middle East.

CURRICULUM                                                
History of the Region and Background of the three Religions 
Milestones in the Region's History
The Hebrew Bible in the Light of Ancient Mesopotamian Literature and Religion, 
Calendars in Judea in Second Temple Times (with special attention to the Dead Sea Scrolls)
The New Jew: Jewish identity in Israel
How Israeli and Diaspora Jews see each other; Partnership vs. Patron
"Not Beyond Your Reach, and Not Across The Sea": The Contemporary Israeli Attempt to
        Form A Secular Jewish Identity,
The Messiah - Prophetic Visions of Redemption - and Later Interpretations
 Christian Roots in Judaism
History and origins, persecution, the establishment of Christianity and the Christian Church 
 Western and Eastern churches - origins, history and theological differences.
The literature of the New Testament and its roots in the Land of Israel.
 What Does "Islam" Mean? Etymology and Meaning
Principles of Islam: Five Pillars of Islam Shahadah, Salat, Zakat, Sawm, Hajj
 The Many Faces of Sharia (Islamic law)
The Sunni-Shi'i Conflict in Islam in Medieval Islam, Dr. Yaron Fridman
 The Sunni-Shi'i Conflict in the Modern Middle East

Palestinian Society
The Palestinian Society: Origin, Social Composition and Variety
Creating our Own Future: Fatah Rebirth
Fatah: Embrace of Islam
Hamas: Social Movement or Terror Organisation?
Human Rights Under the Occupation and the Palestinian Authority

Israeli Society

Israeli Society: Sociological Structure, Trends and Prospects I + II
Israel Politics an Overview and Updated
The Rise of Jewish Nationalism / Zionism - First, Second and Third Aliyot 1882 – 1923/
The British Mandate and Embryo Jewish Nation State 1920 - 48

Israeli- Palestinian Peace Initiatives & Conflict 

Politics in the Contemporary Middle East – Dealing with Contradictions
The War of 1948 and its Consequences
Independence or ‘Naqba’? The Historiographic Debate on 1948 and its Effects
Arabic Citizens in Israel as a National Minority
Different Perceptions and Expectations in Understanding the Oslo Accords
The Implementation of the Security Agreement of the Peace Accord (Oslo) Between Israel
       and the PA 1995-1998
The Peace Process: Difficulties, Possibilities and Prospects
Processes of  Change Among Palestinians and Israelis

STUDY TOURS
Golan Heights & the Lebanese Border
Sea of Galillee as  a Meeting Point of Judaism, Christianity and Islam
Nazareth & Mount Tabor
Visit  to Shibli (Bedouin Village)
Bethlehem & Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem
Al-Haram Al-Sharif Plaza & the Islamic Museum and Aqsa Library
Massada & the Dead Sea

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES 
The Separation Wall in and around Jerusalem
Visit to a Druze Village – The Secret Druze Traditions
 

 

NOTE: The above curriculum outline is intended as a guide only. The sequence of course offerings is subject to change at the discretion of the administration.
 

 
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