PalesTime
A summer in
Palestine
Description
The following program is specifically
designed for students and young adults
who desire to have an opportunity to
travel to the Holy Land, and to study some
of the most important issues related to
the Middle East in general and to Israel
and Palestine in particular. It is organized
for students who want to use some
quality time for intellectual reflection,
cultural interaction and the study of the
Arabic language. The program aims at
encouraging second, third and fourth
generation Palestinians in the Diaspora
to embark on a journey to their roots to
discover their heritage.
This educational program and seminar is
ecumenical, interreligious and global in
nature, scope and design. It is expected from
the participants to form a serious learning
community, not only in the classrooms and
guided educational experiences, but also in
the sharing of meals and reflections, and in the
studying and traveling together. It is specially
designed for college and university students.
Philosophy of Education
The philosophy that lies behind the design
and implementation of this educational
program is based on the following:
Education becomes a transformative force
and liberating experience when students
and professors engage together in teaching
and learning processes that allow them
personally and in groups to see, experience,
reflect, analyze and evaluate reality as it is
presented in contemporary society.
Aims
• To have a global educational experience
and to visit some of the most important
historical, cultural and religious sites in
the Holy Land.
• To study and reflect critically on some
of the social, political and economical
realities in the Middle East.
• To re-connect to one’s own cultural,
spiritual and/or family roots.
• To share life with Palestinians in the West
Bank and those inside the green line.
Objectives
• To study the origins, development and
implications of the Israel and Palestine
political conflict, specifically the Israeli
occupation of the Palestinian Territories.
• To visit the most important holy sites for
Christians, Muslims and Jews.
• To become familiar with the landscape
and people.
• To connect to the land of their forefathers
and foremothers.
• To learn the Arabic language with
professional teachers.
• To connect and study with Palestinian
students at Dar al-Kalima University
College
• To visit institutions that work for the
implementation of a just peace and
reconciliation in the region.
• To affirm the importance of dialogue,
mutual respect and reconciliation as
major forces to foster and encourage
peace with justice in the Middle East and
the world.
• To enjoy and discuss some contemporary
Palestinian responses to the conflict
including the arts, economy, politics,
education and theology.
Program
The program is designed using the LEGO
model and has 5 components that could be
combined together, or regrouped using one
or more pieces, depending on the interest
and financial ability of the student.
1.
A 5 credit - hour program over four
weeks starting June – July.
Topics to be offered can include the following:
a. Contemporary Political Palestinian History.
b. The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.
c. Arab-Islamic Thought.
d.The Situation of Human Rights /
International Law in Occupied Palestine.
e. Geography and Archaeology of Palestine.
f. Contextual Palestinian Theology.
g. Palestinian Cultural Studies.
h. Women’s Movement in Palestine.
i. Contemporary Palestinian Art Movement.
j. Palestinian Diaspora Studies.
k. Palestinian Social History.
l. The Palestinian Economy and Business
Enviroment.
J. The Dar al-Kalima administration will
work with each participants home
university to coordinate the transfer of
credits.
Dar al-Kalima University
College
The Dar al-Kalima University College of
Arts and Culture is an institution of higher
education in Bethlehem / Palestine that
offers advanced training in visual and
performing arts as well as Palestinian cultural
heritage, design and tourism related studies.
The University College provides a vital
accredited resource for higher education in
non-traditional disciplines. At a time when
Palestine’s youth need real options for the
future, the University College enables the
next generation to realize their potential
through educational excellence.
Founded in 2006 as a community college
and re-accredited by the Palestinian
Ministry of Higher Education in April 2013
as a university college, Dar al-Kalima
University College seeks to equip its
students with vital skills for the 21st century
job market through a comprehensive
system of human resource development
that reflects Palestine’s emerging needs.
The Dar al-Kalima University College is
dedicated to providing quality education
that meets the economic, social and cultural
needs of Palestine. Through establishing
an institution for higher learning, the Dar
al-Kalima University College is committed
to building a culture of democracy,
critical thinking and free expression, thus
contributing to the strengthening of the civil
society in Palestine. It is the vision of the Dar
al-Kalima University College that most of
Palestine’s future artists, musicians, actors,
journalists, IT professionals, film makers
and skilled technicians are its alumni.
The University College will be responsible
for organizing the academic part of the program and shall give certificates upon the
completion of the course. Students of the
University College will be participating in
this course for which they shall receive credit towards their degree.
2.
A one-week trip in July throughout
the West Bank visiting major cities, shrines,
museums, leading universities, non governmental organizations, etc.
4.
Participate in Diyar’s international
conference to be held in Bethlehem with
experts from more than 15 countries in
August.
3.
Another 5 credit - hour program over
four weeks from July – August. This unit is
designed for students to select a project to
work on. Topics that could be offered include:
a. Intensive Arabic language course.
b. Palestinian & Middle Eastern food course.
c. An art project under the direction of a
Palestinian artist, filmmaker, etc.
d. A volunteer work project.
e. A research project in one ofthe topics of
interest.
Program Fees
Registration Fees
480.00 USD
June Program (Unit #1)
1975.00 USD
Excursion in the West Bank 1000.00 USD
Independent Project
1550.00 USD
International Conference
495.00 USD
Total
5500.00 USD
Scholarships
Prices are based on half board basis, in
double occupancy rooms and include all
travel expenses related to the program
(excluding flights). Partial scholarships are
available, especially in-land for students
who will participate in the Full Program. The
language of the program is English, with the
exception of the Arabic teaching section.
PalesTime
A summer in
Palestine
Responsible
Organizations
This program is a joint initiative between
Dar al-Kalima University College of Arts and
Culture and Diyar Consortium. For more
information please visit:
www.daralkalima.edu.ps
www.diyar.ps
Registration
For Registration, please contact at:
[email protected]
For a course to be offered, a minimum of 10
registered participants is required. We offer
accommodation, including breakfast and
dinner with double room accommodation.