JOURneys (305-0-20)
Topic
Israel Today: Divergent Dreams in a Promised Land
Instructors
Storer Hastings Rowley
Meeting Info
McCormick Foundation Ctr 3127: Wed, Fri 1:00PM - 2:20PM
Overview of class
Israel is a modern nation caught in the crosswinds of ancient history, religious strife and political turmoil—with Palestinians seeking a state of their own on shared, disputed land. Modern Israel plays an enormous role in Mideast politics and impacts millions of Americans. The struggle between Israelis and Palestinians and their relations with neighboring Arab nations are the focus of worldwide media coverage. It's one of the most challenging areas for journalists to navigate and cover—and it has an outsized influence on the region.
This class explores U.S. policies and the opposing narratives of the current conflict over the West Bank, Gaza and the future of Israel and Palestine themselves - and some extraordinary history, filled as it is with politics and passion, diplomacy and dislocation, holy land and unholy war.
Israel/Palestine is a multi-cultural arena of divergent dreams and destinies. The class will examine political strife, peace efforts, archaeological finds, high-tech start-ups, Israeli settlers and Palestinian refugees, the threats on Israel's borders, the nations that compete for influence and Mediterranean food and culture, from Jerusalem to the West Bank, Ramallah to Tel Aviv.
Travel Component: Israel Program
Students in this program will visit the ancient, walled Old City of Jerusalem and the high-tech, cosmopolitan city of Tel Aviv, the Palestinian-led areas of the West Bank and Israeli-Arab towns, and the Golan Heights towering above the border with Lebanon and Syria.
The class will emphasize reporting, writing and multimedia. Selected students will report two pieces on the ground in Israel--one short written project and one large written project that includes multimedia. They also will report a story in the Chicago area, gathering string on local issues that relate directly to Israel and the global story.
Class Materials (Required)
None
Class Notes
Note: the travel component is a required, graded part of the JOUR 305-0 course, which is registered as a half-unit in winter and a half unit in spring. If accepted to this program, you will be committing taking the course in both quarters.
Note: the travel component of this course takes place during spring break.
Class Attributes
Attendance at 1st class mandatory
Registration is By Application Only
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: This section is currently closed to registration. Please contact the department directly with any questions.
Add Consent: Department Consent Required