Peace and Conflict: Near and Middle East—Political, Cultural, Economic Aspects of the Arab Spring -A European Perspective
SUMMER SNAPSHOT
Learn about the effects of the Arab Spring uprisings from a global perspective while living in the medieval city of Marburg, Germany, home of the Center for Near and Middle East Studies. The summer university will approach issues stemming from the recent revolutions from the angle of political sciences, sociology, and history as well as cultural and regional sciences. This summer program combines German language study at all levels with courses (taught in either English or German) in politics, economics, literature, or cultural studies for a total of 9 ECTS credits (5 – 6 US credits).
Marburg, Germany
Language of Instruction: English; German
http://www.uni-marburg.de/isu
PROGRAM TYPE
ISEP-Direct Summer for all ISEP member students 
COURSES
The program fee covers 36 classroom hours of instruction (3 ECTS points) in German as a Foreign Language at the following three levels:
• Basic Level (for beginners with little or no previous knowledge of German)
• Intermediate Level (for students with a solid background in German)
• Advanced Level (for students with very good knowledge of German)
Class Schedule
Week 1 to 4: German as a Foreign Language (9 - 11 am)
Subject Courses (examples from prior years) (11 am - 1 pm and 2 - 4 pm)
The language of the title is language of instruction as well.
Week 1
• Revolution ohne Helden - Umbruch in der arabischen Welt
• Iraq, the United Nations and the 'New' and the 'Old' Europe
Week 2
• Der Palästina-Israel-Konflikt - Europäische Perspektiven
• The Economies of the Middle East & North Africa in the 21st century: Structures, Problems and European Influences
Week 3
• "Beyond the Walls": Der Israel-Palästina-Konflikt im Film Who or What is the European Union?
Week 4
• Die Mittelmeer-Politik der Europäischen Union
• Islam in Europe
Complementary courses
Two seminars are included in the fee. This means that you will have two weeks with a seminar each, and two weeks without a seminar. For the weeks without a seminar we offer complementary one-week courses. We will also show a film on one afternoon a week. Please keep in mind that the attendance of these additional features is obligatory for the issuing of ECTS credits.
• Language course Arabic
• Culture course Arab World
• Movie program
LANGUAGE NOTES
Students taking courses in English do not need to have any prior knowledge of German. Non-native speakers of English or German should have sufficient language to follow subject courses. Note: The host institution ultimately determines proficiency level and course eligibility.
SEMESTER OPTIONS
See the Membership Directory for details.
PROGRAM DATES
July – August, 2013
APPLICATION DEADLINE
March 15, 2013
PROGRAM FEE
$3,450
HOUSING AND MEALS
Students are housed in single rooms in university dormitories. Drinks and snacks are provided between classes. Students will receive a 50 Euro meal stipend in their program cost which can subsidize the cost of meals. There are several cafeterias in university buildings, where you can purchase beverages and snacks. Lunch and dinner are also served in the "Mensa", where prices range from approx. EUR 1.50 to 3. The Bistro and the "Mensa" are located in the nearby student center ("Studentenhaus").In town there are bars, bakeries, and fast food facilities.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
In addition to the work in the classroom, trips are offered connected to the program's topic. Besides thematic city tours of Marburg and visits to the Jewish and the Islamic communities, participants are invited to tour neighboring cities such as Frankfurt and Strasbourg, France. Evening activities are also planned for participants.
PROFILE
The University of Marburg is one of the oldest German universities. In 1527, as part of the Reformation, 23-year-old Landgrave Philipp the Magnanimous founded it as the first Protestant university. Since then, it has been a place of research and teaching for nearly five centuries. With 20,000 students (12% from all over the world) and 6,000 people working for the university, Marburg’s slogan is "Other cities may have a university, but Marburg is a university." In other words, living and studying in Marburg inevitably means being part of a vibrant academic community.
LOCATION
The city of Marburg, on the river Lahn in western Germany, is surrounded by forests and situated about 45 miles north of Frankfurt am Main, whose airport connects students to exciting destination such as Prague, Barcelona, Paris, Brussels, London, and Oslo. Marburg’s numerous train connections also make Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich easily accessible. Marburg is picturesque and one of the few early medieval cities of almost unchanged character, with the famous castle on the hill overlooking its 86,000 residents.