Program Description

There is no place on earth that compares to the Middle East for experiencing the fascinating and volatile mix of religions, cultures and historical movements that have shaped the world. Beginning in Egypt, wandering through the Sinai and Jordan, living in Israel and the West Bank, and traveling to Greece and Rome, participants will be immersed in the ancient/modern world of Jews, Christians and Muslims. Living in Palestinian homes, working on an Israeli kibbutz and at the Nazareth Village, exploring ancient histories and current conflicts, will provide an intense learning experience with the potential for life-changing insights into the Bible, world news, and yourself.

Estimated Cost: on campus tuition, room and board plus $2,200 travel (cost may be adjusted due to changes in currency exchange rates and air fares)

Semester Leaders: Linford and Janet Stutzman

Enrollment: maximum 24 students

Course Credits: 15 semester hours

Course Descriptions

CCUS 202 Cross-Cultural Understanding 3 SH This course will focus on particular aspects of Arab, Palestinian, and Jewish cultures in order to understand human culture--world views, values, ideals, feelings, and behavior. Of equal concern will be the response of students in developing insight, empathy, and cross-cultural adjustment skills in unfamiliar situations. At least one hour of colloquial Arabic language and cultural studies will be included. (Satisfies the Global Village Curriculum cross-cultural requirement.)

CCHIS 302 Contemporary Issues in the Middle East 3SH Students will explore the contemporary social and political issues in the Middle East, including the dynamics that shape the policies of the governments of Israel and the Palestinians. The course will consider responses to the situation of conflict that have arisen over a period of centuries around the Land. The student will get first-hand exposure to contrmporary life situations among Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs and probe the meaning of peace and justice in this setting.

CCHUM 302 Religion and Culture in the Middle East 3SH Directed fieldwork, reading, personal interaction and participant observation and regularly scheduled seminars will enable the student to examine the cultures and religions of the Middle East from historical, anthropological and religious studies perspectives. The cultural focus will concentrate on the historical roots and contemporary expressions of cultural ideals, change, and conflict that shape all of life in the Middle East. The religion focus will concentrate on the powerful role of religion in Middle Eastern culture in shaping identity, sustaining community and creating the context of both conflict and reconciliation

CCHST 231 The Christian Movement in the Mediterranean 3SH This course will begin with the Jesus' Movement in Galilee in Nazareth and end at the capitol of Christendom in Rome. Classes, lectures, site visits and discussion will occur during the entire semester beginning in Egypt, in Israel/West Bank and up the Mediterranean in Athens and Rome. The Gospel of Mark and the Book of Acts will be the primary texts viewed from cultural, historical, sociological, anthropological and missiological perspectives through readings, field experiences, participant observation and lectures.

CCBST 241 Biblical Geography, Archaeology and History 3SH The primary learning context for this course will be in Jerusalem and Israel. Classes at the Jerusalem campus will be combined with extensive field trips to biblical sites. The goal of this course will be insights into, and appreciation for the biblical story through genuine personal experience of the Land.