Israel – Israel’s Diverse Narratives (Cancelled)
Israel
Dates
- Summer 1 Semester - May 6- June 7
Application Deadline
- Summer 1 Semester - November 18, 2011
Description
Faculty Leader: Lori Lefkovitz; l.lefkovitz@neu.edu
This dialogue offers an academic and experiential look at modern Israel through the prism of competing stories, from ancient times to the present, with a particular focus on their role in the shaping of Israel’s urban landscapes over time. We will ask about the relationship between the imaginative and the real and between the old and the new as stories and realities evolve in complex relationship to one another. Considering the Israeli narrative that begins in the centuries' old yearning to return to the land followed by the development of a modern national movement that became the foundation of modern Israel, the growing conflict with Arab neighbors and the Palestinians, the influx of Jewish immigrants that changed its ethnic and social landscape, we will begin to appreciate the depth and texture of the complex weave of words that shaped modern Israel, a country with close to eight million citizens, a vibrant society and economy, with multiple unresolved local and international challenges. Jerusalem and Tel-Aviv—both as icons of the old and the new and as cities that comprise within them the old and the new—will be the twin foci of our study.
Courses
- ENGL 4688Stories of Israel from the Bible to the Present, Stories of Israel from the Bible to the Present: Topics in Transnational /Transhistorical Textual Studies. The first course, taught by Lori Lefkovitz will introduce the students to the story of Israel through literature and culture that begins in ancient times until contemporary manifestations of Israeli culture.
- INTL4945 A Tale of Two Cities: Jerusalem and Tel Aviv - The second course, thought by Elan Ezrachi, will look at Jerusalem and Tel Aviv as two paradigms of Jewish and Israeli spaces, representing generations of aspirations and imaginations as well as harsh political and social realities. The academic portion of the class will cover readings from classical and modern literature, sociology, political science, history and geography. Special attention will be given to the unresolved tension of Israel being both a Jewish State and a western democracy. Students will work alone or in teams on projects that deal with images of Israel and the way these images are viewed by Israelis and represented in Israel's day to day life. In-depth reflection on their project work, team-based experiences, readings, and related social issues will occur through team interactions, journal summaries, assignments, focused discussions in class seminars, and an analytic final paper that ties in theoretical issues with students’ research experiences. Students will meet Israeli peers, Jewish and Palestinian, on several occasions during the program. Students will take two courses for a total of 8 NU credits.
Eligibility Requirements
Participants will be selected on the strength of their interest in the subject and open-minded, serious intention to learn. All applicants will interview with Professor Lefkovitz. No language prerequisite.
Application Procedure
- Online Faculty- Led application (application open 10/17 - 11/18)
- Upload one unofficial transcript
- Upload one copy of passport ID page
- Upload essay questions
- Faculty may require additional information and/or interview (after application deadline)
Cost
$9,460 plus a possible accommodation charge.
Accommodations
Students will be based in two main locations, first in Jerusalem and second in Tel Aviv. Between these two locations there will be a 3 day excursion to the north of Israel. While in Jerusalem and in Tel Aviv, students will also have day trip to sites in the vicinity of the two urban centers.