Faculty Director
Academic Details
This 3-credit seminar program is designed to provide students with insight into Israel as a sovereign and international actor, and to examine the underlying dynamics of the country's unique political system, diversified culture, and myriad political, social, economic, and environmental issues. Participants learn first-hand about ongoing efforts to address Israel's security concerns, Arab-Israeli peacemaking, the special relationship between Israel and the United States, and the challenges brought forward by the desert ecology of the region.
SIS can also help students who participate in the seminar obtain an internship with a partner organization in Israel. The internship experience is not an integrated part of the seminar program and can be done for credit, or on a non-credit bearing basis for MA students only who wish to complete their professional experience requirement. A list of potential internship organizations can be found in the Forms section of this page.
Site Visits
The program will be based in Jerusalem but students will travel extensively throughout Israel. Site visits could include locations in and around Jerusalem as well as Jaffa, Tel Aviv, and other parts of the country.
2013 Program Dates (TENTATIVE)
Pre-departure workshops: April/May (Date TBA)
Arrival in Tel Aviv: May 22
Seminar program: May 22 - June 8
Departure from Jerusalem: June 9
Optional internships: variable dates
Program Costs
AU tuition plus program fee (details in the program guide).
Who Should Attend
Graduate students in all majors and disciplines from any U.S. university may apply. Students with interests in comparative political systems, Middle East area studies, history, gender, human rights, international communication, peace processes and conflict resolution, security, foreign policy, environment, and international development are invited to apply. Advanced undergraduates who have completed at least 60 credits toward the completion of their degrees are also welcome to apply.
Logistics
Students are required to make their own travel arrangements to and from Tel Aviv. Students in the seminar will be housed in group accommodation for the duration of the seminar dates only; students staying in Israel for the optional internship component will be responsible for their own housing during the internship period, starting June 9.
Application and Deadlines
Students must read the entire program guide before applying. The program guide can be found in the Forms section of this page.
As part of the review process, the Faculty Director may invite students to meet with him to discuss the submitted application. Enrollment may be limited to approximately 10 students. Once admitted to the program by SIS, students receive notification via e-mail. At that time, students will be required to submit a non-refundable deposit of $250 to SIS, through a check or money order made payable to American University, to secure their place in the program.
