Course Descriptions

Semester Course Schedule Long-Term Program Dates Short-Term Program Dates Entrance Requirements Course Descriptions

ONLINE MECR 5/369 Palestinians and Jews in the Holy Land: Historical and Social Perspectives - Credit Hours: 3

Semester normally offered:

Course Description

The course will examine the identities, history, social characteristics, and political organization of the Palestinian and Jewish communities in the Holy Land, under Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian, and Egyptian rule. Key topics will include the war of 1948 and its impact on Palestinians and Jews, the Six Day War and the creation of the Israeli Occupied Territories, the evolution of Israeli and Palestinian societies, expressions of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and attempts to reach an agreement between the two communities. Class discussion will examine each side's positions and expectations regarding present realities and future prospects for peace and reconciliation. The class will be taught jointly by an Israeli and a Palestinian professor, both long associated with Jerusalem University College. 

Course Equivalencies

  • Middle Eastern Studies 
  • International Relations 
  • Middle East History  
  • Sociology 

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, the student should be able to: 

  • understand the social, religious and political makeup of Israel and Palestine; 
  • appreciate the Land from the perspectives of its two national groups and its religious communities;
  • understand the historical and political narratives of both Israelis and Palestinians; and
  • address some of the challenges of the current situation and the prospects for reconciliation between Israel and the Palestinians. 

Field Study