The Arab World Experience: Morocco
ARAB/ETHS/WGST 349
Led by Ramez Islambouli

The Arab World Experience is a spring semester course with a May study abroad component in Morocco supplemented by course meetings before travel. The course focuses on topics such as history, politics, culture, and gender relations within the Moroccan society. Workload and learning outcomes are commensurate with a semester-long three credit hour course. Guest lectures in the host country are an important component of the course as they bring a fresh, authentic perspective to the topics discussed. There will be four two-hour meetings prior to travel, required reading. In the host country, students will spend seven days (five-eight hours per day) in site visits. Student grades are determined based on participation, attendance, a daily experiential learning journal, interviews with guest speakers, and a
final paper.

Morocco is at the center of global, Islamic, Pan-Arab and Western influences and serves as an important engine for reginal political and cultural discussions. It is a fascinating place to visit. This course will provide you with a powerful academic and experiential learning opportunity that will bring you as close as can be to the core of Islamic and Arab realities. By going inside the multicultural, multilingual and multifold nature of Arab-Islamic communities, you will learn about the tolerance and openness that exists among people, examine the finest forms of art, and gain new understanding of the literature, philosophy, political and economic thinking, scientific achievements, and technological expressions which have characterized the rise and fall of Islamic and Arab communities throughout history. You will connect with local Moroccans on many levels and acquire an insider’s viewpoint on life in present-day Morocco.

The class will meet 4 times during the semester (times and days TBD) and we will explore different aspects of Moroccan life and culture. There will be assigned readings and discussions during class meetings. %25 of the grade is for attending the class meetings. %50 of the grade is to do all the required activities during our trip to Morocco and %25 is to write a final reflection about your trip to Morocco. We will travel as soon as everyone in the class finishes their final and be back the Saturday before graduation.

Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

Prerequisite Requirements: permission of instructor.

Estimated Cost: TBA includes lodging, meals, ground transportation, site visits and other activities.
Tuition and airfare extra.

Contact: ramez.islambouli@case.edu for information.

Apply: http://studyabroad.case.edu/.