Highlights
- Gain exposure to a wide variety of people, narratives and perspectives in Jerusalem and the surrounding area.
- Develop deeper insight into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through exploring contrasting narratives.
- Examine the challenges and opportunities presented by the Arab Spring.
- Explore the contradictory roles that religion plays as both obstacle and facilitator to peace in the Holy Land.
Coexistence in the Middle East (CME) enables current and future leaders from around the world to explore facts on the ground and examine local realities from the perspectives of various religious, political, cultural and national groups that converge at a crossroads of humanity. CME delves into:
– Encounters between the “West” and the Middle East
– Relations among Christians, Jews, and Muslims
– Interests and concerns of the International Community
– Competing claims between Israelis and Palestinians
Learn from extensive field trips and first-hand interaction with government officials, religious leaders, professional experts, and political and NGO activists. Through engaging dialogue, you will uncover numerous issues, realities, resolution proposals, and peace initiatives, highlighting the human dimensions of this complex conflict.
Winter Structure
The winter session is an intensive two-week session that focuses on highlights from the summer program and is open to students, faculty members, diplomats, policy makers, and other professionals. This session focuses on the highlights from the summer program, including trips to key sites, meetings with leaders and activists, and lectures.
Summer Structure
The summer program is made up of three complementary courses that can be taken together or separately:
- Narratives & Realities: Inside the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (July)
- Israel & the Post-Arab Spring: An Interactive View of the New Middle East (July)
- Religion in the Holy Land: Faith’s Role in Peace & Conflict (August)
Course Components
- Meetings with religious leaders, government officials, and peace activists
- Extensive trips to key sites throughout Jerusalem and Israel
- Assigned readings and classroom discussions
Professionals who are not interested in the academic credit may opt out of submitting the final paper and receive an audit grade (Active Participation grade) but must still attend all classes and field trips, and complete any assignment throughout the course. This option is also possible for students who are not interested in academic credit.
Please note that academic field trips vary in length as well as levels of accessibility. For field trip-related questions and more information please do not hesitate to contact us.
Syllabi:
Winter
Summer
- Narratives and Realities: Inside the Israeli Palestinian Conflict
- Religion in the Holy Land: Faith’s Role in Peace and Conflict
- Israel and the New Middle East: An Interactive Post-Arab-Spring View
Sample Itinerary:
You’ll be invited to participate in a wide array of trips, tours, and activities offered by the Office of Student Life. From a tour of the Old City to a trip to the Dead Sea to checking out the local festivals, you’ll build your own unique impressions and memories of Jerusalem and Israel.
While residing in HebrewU dormitories with other international and Israeli students, you’ll have a chance to form new friendships and get involved in campus life. A team of multilingual Israeli students, called madrichim, is also there to help you adjust to your new surroundings and give you tips on things to do. Learn more about student life at HebrewU.
TBD
Program length
Summer: two, four or six weeks
Health insurance through Rothberg is mandatory for the program.
Application Fee: US$ 120 (non-refundable)
Tuition: TBD
Housing*: TBD
*Depending on availability
The Coexistence program is offered in collaboration with Israel Beyond the Headlines (IBH).
Tuition, for both Summer and Winter sessions, is to be paid in two separate payments to Rothberg International School and IBH.
Learn more about fees, cost of living, and paying for the program.
For more information on Israel Beyond the Headlines’ method and terms of payment, please see here. For Rothberg International School financial information, see here.
Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships based on demonstrated need or merit are available.
This course is open to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as to mature learners with an academic background. You must be currently registered at or have been accepted to a recognized college or university or have successfully completed at least one year of study at an accredited institution of higher education. English-language fluency is also required
Apply
We’re pleased you’re applying to join us in Jerusalem. To enroll in the full Coexistence in the Middle East Summer Session Program (all three courses) or in the Winter Session:
- On the online application, click on Special Programs.
- Select the session of your choice.
Please note:
- To enroll in only one or two of the courses for this summer session program, select the courses of your interest from the list of “Summer Courses” in the online application. Learn more about the application guidelines.
- Please see here for more information about visas.
- You may switch from a summer course to this program up to two weeks prior to the beginning of the summer course / program.
Look here for the 2024 Summer Courses schedule:
Contact
We’re happy to answer any questions you might have – or to chat for a bit to help you choose the right course or program.
Email Us
Call us: +972 2 588 2602
Find More Summer Courses
Please note that HebrewU reserves the right to cancel courses for which there is insufficient registration.
Fast Facts
Program:
Coexistence in the Middle East: Summer & Winter Program
Teaching Faculty:
Program director: Mr. Javier Gelbwaser
Language of Instruction:
English; Program can be arranged in Spanish for an organized group
Credits/Hours:
Academic hours
- Summer: 45-135
Credits: 3-9
Program Dates:
TBD
Eligibility:
Undergraduate and graduate students; mature learners with an academic background
Application Deadline:
TBD
Costs:
TBD
Health insurance through Rothberg is mandatory for the summer in-person program.
Relevant Academic Fields:
Sociology, cultural studies, journalism, history, international relations, religious studies
