Israel and Palestine Program: Palestine - Peace, Justice, and Nonviolent Resistance

Explore the Palestinian and Israeli efforts to achieve peace and a resolution to conflict based on justice. On this program, you will learn the various skills and strategies utilized by peace workers to transform their collective society.

Faculty Director

Mohammed Abu-Nimer

Academic Details

The Israel and Palestine Program consists of two study sites - Israel and Palestine - that each offer a 3-credit seminar and 3-credit internship OR independent study. Students can register for the Program through an individually tailored combination of the academic components for anywhere from 3 to 9 credits, either within one site of through a combination of work completed in both sites. For example, students can enroll for both seminars plus an internship in either Israel or Palestine, or for the seminar in Israel but the internship in Palestine, etc... 

SIS can place students who participate in the seminar in an internship with a partner organization in Israel or Palestine. A list of potential internship organizations can be found in the Forms section of this page.

Seminar in Palestine: Through travel and first-hand experiences, students will learn about the basic cultural and social patterns that divide and connect Israeli and Palestinian societies. They will explore the current realities of Israelis and Palestinians, as affected by both violence and campaigns for peace and resistance.  Students will engage directly with both veteran and young peace activists who hold diverse viewpoints as they learn about the various approaches, skills, and strategies utilized by peace workers.

Site Visits

The Program will be based in Jerusalem but will travel extensively throughout Israel and Palestine. Site visits could include locations in and around Jerusalem as well as Bethlehem, Jaffa, Tel Aviv, Ramallah, Nazareth, and Hebron.

2012 Program Dates

Seminar in Palestine: POSTPONED

Program Costs 

AU tuition plus program fee (details in the program guide).

Who Should Attend

Graduate students in all majors 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 Jerusalem (to be confirmed). Students in the seminar will be housed in group accommodation; students staying in Israel or Palestine for the internship component will be responsible for their own housing during the internship period.

Application and Deadlines

Still accepting applications--apply today!!

 As part of the review process, the Faculty Director(s) 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.