Exploring the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Haifa, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv
July 13–August 1, 2017
(Summer Session II)
This class will take place in Haifa, a Mediterranean coastal city, which will serve as a base to study a multitude of aspects of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. During the three-week trip, the class will focus on the intertwined history of both peoples and will encounter diverse groups representing a spectrum of opinions. In addition, the class will spend three days in Jerusalem and two days in Tel Aviv. We will also visit Akko, Nazareth, and spend two nights in an Arab city in the north. Haifa is home to both Arabs and Jews and provides the perfect place to understand the conflict and how it affects the daily lives of the people who live there. One question that will be central to the class is if Jewish-Arab co-existence truly exists in this mixed city. If so, how can this serve—or not serve—as a model for bringing peace between the two peoples?
The first component of the class will include a rigorous historical reading of the early years of the conflict, focusing the late Ottoman period and the mandate. It will then move on to the early years of the Israeli state, what for Palestinians became known as the Nakba—the disaster—the loss of Palestine. The second part of the class will delve into current issues and will feature Israeli and Palestinian professors whose work centers on the conflict. The class will also meet with Jewish-Arab youth, political activists, architects, artists, journalists, women, and LGBT groups.
While this is a history class, it will interest a wide range of students from different backgrounds and majors. Whether you are a budding journalist, interested in politics, or pursuing a career in the arts and sciences, this is the program for you. The class will be geared at creating an inclusive environment where each student can express and develop her/his knowledge of the conflict and the role it plays in understanding the greater Middle East. In addition to class, there will be free time to spend on Haifa’s beaches, at its museums, and in its cafés and restaurants.
The program director, Louis Fishman, has led study abroad groups to multiple Middle Eastern countries, and is an expert on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He completed his B.A. at Haifa University in Middle Eastern studies, before obtaining his M.A. and Ph.D. at the University of Chicago. He has worked with numerous Jewish-Arab coexistence programs in Haifa, in addition to taking part in other educational programs related to the conflict.
This program is open to undergraduate and graduate students, all majors.
Program Dates
July 13–August 1, 2017
Program Fee
$1,880 (includes CISI health/travel insurance, program-related transportation in Israel, excursions, housing, and some meals)
Program Fee Payment Schedule:
- Nonrefundable Deposit Due With Application — $300
- Second Payment Due: Friday, April 7, 2017 — $790
- Final Payment Due: Friday, May 5, 2017 — $790
Additional Costs
- Brooklyn College tuition and fees for three credits.
- Out-of-pocket costs ($900 estimated minimum) for personal expenses, visa, laundry, and out-of-pocket meals.
- $1,235 for international round-trip airfare to Israel.
Estimated Totalled Basic Program Cost: $4,015, plus Brooklyn College tuition and fees for three credits.
Courses and Credits
Participants will be registered for one 3-credit course, shown below. Final course offerings will be dependent on course enrollment.
- HIST 3350: The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, 1881–present
Financial Aid / Scholarships
Financial aid may apply, and alternative loans are available. Scholarships that apply to this program are: Furman and SASA, among others (see Scholarship Opportunities).
How to Apply
- Complete and submit the IEGE Notification of Study Abroad/Brooklyn College Study Abroad Application.
- A $300 nonrefundable deposit is due with your application. Students will pay directly at the Brooklyn College Bursar's Office and must attach their paid receipt to their application when submitting to IEGE. Applications will not be accepted or considered complete without a receipt. Please note this deposit of $300 will only be returned if you are not accepted to the program.
- Contact the program director to express your interest in joining the program.
Application Deadline
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
More Information
Louis Fishman (Program Director)
Department of History
1105 Boylan Hall
P: 718.951.5303
International Education & Global Engagement
1108 Boylan Hall
P: 718.951.5189
Cancellation and Refund Policies
Please read and understand the IEGE Cancellation and Refund Policies Information and note that a participant wishing to cancel their program participation must send written notification to IEGE to officially withdraw. Program withdrawal will be official from the time and date that the written communication was received by IEGE.
Note that all information listed above is subject to change at any time. Page last modified on February 28, 2017.
