Israel Palestine Field School

Program Description

Fault Lines in Israel Palestine (PSCI 364) is a new ten-day three-credit study abroad course that will take place at the immediate end of the winter semester. Students will travel to the Israel and Palestinian Territories with StFX Professor Jamie Levin and learn about the complexities of Israel Palestine relationship by visiting sites of importance and speaking with experts and locals to develop an understanding of the intricacies of one of the modern world’s most enduring conflicts.

Dates

April 25 - May 5, 2023 (to be confirmed to ensure there is no conflict with the final exam schedule)

Students will attend some classes during the Winter term in preparation for travel. Students are required to complete all readings and assignments listed in the syllabus prior to departure.

Overview of Program

You can find the proposed itinerary for the the program here.

Registration

Students who are interested in the course should register for PSCI 364. Students who are registered in the course will receive further course and scholarship applications from the professor.

Cost

The cost of the program is $5,000, including airfare, accommodations, and most meals. Participants will cover personal expenses, some meals, snacks, and activities outside of those planned.

Scholarships

Thanks to the generous funding of the Tanenbaum Family Foundation, there are 10 scholarships in the amount of $5,000 CAD each. Applications for scholarships will be evaluated based on merit and need. Successful applicants will be notified in late November.

Learning Outcomes

The goal of the course is to foster understanding, empathy, and a nuanced analysis of Israeli and Palestinian political discourse and culture, with a focus on the cleavages that separate them. The course uses a mixed-methods format, combining formal lectures and seminar discussions with guided tours of relevant sites, meetings with Israeli and Palestinian cultural figures, policy makers, activists, and academics, and informal encounters facilitated by Dr. Levin.

Information About Jamie Levin

Jamie Levin is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, Canada. He earned his PhD in Political Science at the University of Toronto and an MsC from the London School of Economics. His work focuses on the role of weapons in the resolution of civil wars. Jamie’s research demonstrates how weapons can be a stabilizing force in the resolution of conflict. Previously, Jamie was a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington and the Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem with funding from The Azrieli Foundation. Prior to undertaking PhD studies, Jamie worked as a director of a not-for-profit organization engaged in peace process advocacy in New York City.

For more information, interested students can contact Dr. Levin at @email, Brian Mulroney Hall Rm 4069.

An information session will be held in the Fall term.

*Though we do not meet weekly during the winter semester, a placeholder date/time has been reserved in the academic calendar. If this conflicts with one of your other courses, you will not automatically be able to register for the course on Banner. In such a case, you will need to request an override from Marcy Baker at @email.