Center for Global Study and Engagement

Coursework: Fall 2012 and/or Spring 2013
Travel Component: January 2 - 20, 2013 (tentative until flights have been arranged)

The Morocco mini-mosaic is designed to extend into the “field” the academic explorations undertaken by students in the Fall 2012 Ethnography of Jewish Experience course and/or the Spring 2013 Saints and Demons: Muslim and Jewish Popular Religion in the Middle East course.  Though these two courses have different foci, the mini-Mosaic experience in Morocco is designed to enhance the learning goals in both courses:

·       Understand the distinctive characteristics of Moroccan Islam and Judaism, particularly the prevalence of saint worship and religious healing for relief from spirit possession,

·       Understand the variety of popular religious practices and their relationship “official” religion—both Islam and Judaism,

·       Understand the historical impact of secularizing and modernizing trends, how these affected Moroccan  communities (and specifically the Jewish and Muslim popular religious practices), and contemporary secular-religious dynamics,

·       Understand the complex set of relationships among Arabs-Jews-Berbers in Morocco, both historically and in contemporary Morocco.

During the Morocco field component, students will interact with religious leaders, NGO directors, educators, community members, and practitioners of popular religious healing.  Local scholars and experts will lecture on their areas of expertise.  Students will conduct structured observation and interaction in particular sites and interviewing where possible.  Sites will include:  

·         heritage sites, museums

·         contemporary Jewish community institutions

·         villages and mellahs (restricted Jewish neighborhoods) in selected cities of historical significance to Moroccan Jewish history

·         mosques, synagogues and religious shrines

Students participating in this study trip must be enrolled in at least one of the following courses:

Fall 2012: Religion 260/Judaic Studies 216/Sociology 230--Ethnography of Jewish Experience

Spring 2013: Religion 247/Judaic Studies 216/Middle East Studies 250--Saints and Demons: Muslim and Jewish Popular Religion in the Middle East

Program Cost

The comprehensive program fee is $1800. Airfare and visa fees are not included; however, group travel will be arranged.

Included:

Full room and board
Academic excursions
In-country transportation
Pre-departure orientation
Emergency insurance

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to eligible Dickinson students. Requests for financial aid must be submitted via the online application by the application deadline.

Eligibility

Students with a minimum 2.8 GPA are encouraged to apply.

Applications

Please click the “Apply Now” button to begin the application process. The application fee is $35.

Payments

A $300.00 non-refundable confirmation payment will be required approximately two weeks after notification of acceptance.

Program Contact
Prof. Shalom Staub
Associate Provost and 1^st Year Class Dean
Email: staubs@dickinson.edu
Tele: 717.245.1080