Israel

The course provides an overview of key sociological theories and research on the many ways in which culture (defined variously as values, frames, repertoires, narratives, symbolic boundaries, and cultural capital) is shaped by and, in turn, shapes social hierarchies along the lines of class, gender and race/ethnicity. The course explores how these features of inequality intersect with processes of globalization.

This course is an introduction to Modern Standard Arabic, the formal language employed in books, newspapers, scripted news broadcasts, and formal speeches across the Arab world. The classes and activities facilitate the acquisition of a basic proficiency in the language and the basic linguistic skills, analytical abilities, and cultural knowledge required to read, write, and speak Arabic at a basic level. The program is based on the principle of immersion, the comprehensive and active use of the language of study, both inside and outside the classroom. Arabic is therefore taught in Arabic, though certain subjects may be taught in English at the beginning of the program, with a gradual move to Arabic as the program progresses. Participants interact with the Arabic speaking community in various field trips and special activities. The course runs for 11 weeks. At the end of the course, a workshop is held in an Arabic speaking environment and students engage in activities with native speakers.

Jerusalem's glory rests not only in the archeological sites and ancient monuments which shed light on its past, but also in the multiple dynamic religious groups whether of Jewish, Christian, Islamic, or other origin, which flourish in it today. This unique course tours the city, meeting representatives of these religious groups, visiting their communities, and thus understanding the complex but also amazing fabric of this exquisite city. 

Over the past century Israel has transformed from an agricultural colony, to a welfare state, and on to a globally integrated "market economy” characterized by great income disparities. What lies behind this transformation? How did egalitarianism give rise to inequality? What are the implications of a constant state of conflict on a country's economy? How does being an island of democracy surrounded by non-democratic regimes effect the development of a country's international economic relations? This course explores how different issues have affected the Israeli economy, including periods of economic growth or stagnation, the governments' domination of capital and credit markets in the 1970's and 1980's, the stabilization program of 1985, the implications of peace processes, and the wave of Russian immigration in the 1990's. The course concludes with an overview of the international economic relations between Israel and The European Union, The USA, and the global economic institutions (GATT and WTO, IMF and the World Bank, and the OECD).

This elementary intensive Arabic language program is designed for students with little or no prior background in Literary Arabic. Learning objectives include mastering the Arabic alphabet and distinguishing and pronouncing all Arabic sounds; reading and comprehension of a variety of basic texts in Modern Standard Arabic; composing paragraphs using a basic level of Modern Standard Arabic; understanding the phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics of the Arabic language; becoming familiar with Arabic culture; and responding in culturally appropriate ways to daily interactions in Arab culture and society.

This course covers automata over infinite words: acceptance conditions, expressiveness, algorithms, and constructions. Topics include translation between types of automata; temporal logic: linear temporal logic (LTL), monadic second-order logic (MSO), and the fragment S1S; translation between logics and automata; LTL model checking; games: infinite games on graphs; solving reachability, Buchi, and parity games; and LTL synthesis using parity games.

The course introduces the normative structure and theoretical foundations of Public International Law (PIL), alongside its institutional and procedural aspects. It also looks at the interplay between Public International Law and domestic legal systems, and between Public International Law and international relations, legal philosophy, and political science. A particular focus of the course is the relevance of Public International Law to the issues and challenges confronting the State of Israel. The course discusses core issues in Public International Law and their significance to the State of Israel, in light and based upon the unique needs and history of Israel.

This course is a survey of the history of the Jewish People with an emphasis on the modern period and the development of the State of Israel. Course topics include an introduction to the national memory: the TANAKH (Hebrew Scriptures or “OLD TESTAMENT”), First Temple Period, Second Temple Period, Jewish existence in the Byzantine and Islamic worlds, the European Middle Ages, Russian Jewry, antisemitism, the American experience, and Herzl and Zionism.