The Middle East Studies Program

Internationalizing the Undergraduate Business Curriculum

uwmesp — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:30:39 +0000

For information on this exciting event on June 16-17 in Madison, please click on the link above.

Call For Applications

uwmesp — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:27:32 +0000

We would like to inform you about our Call for Applications for our German Turkish Masters Program in Social Sciences (GeT MA). The GeT MA program is now accepting applications for admission in the fall of 2011. Interested students may send their application packages to the program office at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin until May 31, 2011. Application materials are available online (Link: www.bgss.hu-berlin.de/masters/getma).

The GeT MA Program is a unique, interdisciplinary and integrated Masters Program in Social Sciences. It is taught in English at the Middle East Technical University Ankara, Turkey and the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany. All students of GeT MA attend their first year of studies in Ankara and their second year in Berlin. Upon completion of the program, a Dual-Master of Arts in Social Sciences is awarded from both universities. GeT MA is part of the Ernst Reuter Initiative and is supported by the DAAD with funds from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

Information about the program, its structure, contents and the participating universities is available online at www.bgss.hu-berlin.de/masters/getma . The program’s Berlin office will answer any questions by phone +49-30-2093-5323 or email info.getma@sowi.hu-berlin.de. Personal appointments are available upon request.

– German Turkish Masters Program in Social Sciences Berlin Program Office Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Institut für Sozialwissenschaften Unter den Linden 6 10099 Berlin, Germany

Tel: +49 30 2093 5323

Fax: +49 30 2093 5348

info.getma@sowi.hu-berlin.de

www.bgss.hu-berlin.de/masters/getma Sitz: Luisenstraße 56, 10117 Berlin

uwmesp — Tue, 17 May 2011 15:10:54 +0000

Aga Khan University – Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations, London, UK

RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME 2011/12: CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

The AKU-ISMC 2011-2012 Research Fellowship Programme offers a unique opportunity for Fellows to pursue research within an intellectually stimulating and supportive environment. The duration of the Fellowship is one calendar year, commencing September 2011. During this time, Fellows are expected to carry out research projects which relate to one of the Institute’s major research themes and to coordinate a research workshop leading to a publication. For 2011/12 the theme addressed will be the Construction of Knowledge about Muslim Cultures and Societies. Within this broad theme, Research Fellows are sought who will carry out research related to the topic: ‘Remembering the first century of Islam.’
Remembering the first century of Islam

The seventh century witnessed the birth of a new religion and a new empire in the Late Antique Near East. Fellows will explore the creation and function today of memories about this pivotal turning point in world history. Potential areas of research include:

Examining the roles that memories about the first century are playing in building national, regional, ethnic, religious, and other forms of solidarity and belonging;
Outlining strategies that create and also destroy shared memories about the first century in a wide variety of mediums, including those that appeal to mass audiences, such as film and the internet;
Contributing to theoretical reflection on memory, identity, and knowledge about the past.

Fellows should ideally have a research interest in early Islamic history and a willingness to engage with the theoretical literature relating to memory. Fellows will pursue this research project and contribute to the organisation of a workshop that aims to result in a publication.

Details

Candidates receive a stipend in the range of £27-31000 and also a research budget of £500. A return flight is paid for international Fellows. Please note that accommodation in London will need to be independently organised by the Fellow. Other benefits include: office space, access to computer facilities, and access to AKU-ISMC’s library and the libraries of neighbouring academic institutions.
During the course of this academic year, the Institute will facilitate scholarly dialogue among the Research Fellows and AKU-ISMC Faculty. During the course of their Fellowship, Fellows will be expected to participate in the educational and research programmes of the Institute by delivering occasional lectures and seminars.
Candidates should have:

•   A PhD in the Humanities or Social Sciences;
•   A high degree of experience, interest and competence in the research area outlined in the Call for Applications;
•   A high level of proficiency in communication skills, written and verbal;

For a job description and application form, please see the career opportunities section of the AKU-ISMC website (http://www.aku.edu/job/onlinejobs/).

Closing date for applications for the 2011/12 programme is 30^th May 2011. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview, to be held in early June 2011. Successful candidates are expected to take up their post on 12th September 2011 or soon after.

More information about AKU-ISMC’s research themes can be found on our website: http://aku.edu/ismc/research-aku-ismc.shtml

For informal questions about the Fellowship, please contact ismc.research@aku.edu

Dr Peter O’Neill

Research and Grants Officer

Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations
The Aga Khan University (International) in the United Kingdom
210 Euston Road
London NW1 2DA

Tel. +44 [0] 20 7380 3847
Fax.+44 [0] 20 7380 3830
URL <www.aku.edu>

uwmesp — Tue, 17 May 2011 15:09:13 +0000

FULL SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Summer 2011 Arabic Language Immersion in Muscat (ALIM)
at the
The World Learning Oman Center (“WorLOC”) has many years of experience teaching intensive Arabic language programs to students from around the world. WorLOC is known for the quality of their teaching and the quick speaking abilities of students, most of whom also live with Omani families while they study on the campus.

WLOC is located in Muscat, with a direct view of the Arabian Sea only 100 meters away. Within the campus are faculty offices, classrooms, a library and kitchen where some 200 students and professionals come each year to learn, travel, and immerse in Gulf and Omani culture.

World Learning in Brattleboro, Vermont, is the parent campus which has been operating study abroad programs since 1932. Their programs are fullyaccredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The Oman Center is directed by Dr. J. Larry Brown, a longtime educator who served on the faculty of Harvard University and also as Board Chair of Oxfam.

Classes may be taken forcredit or noncredit. All Arabic language classes are taught by a highly skilled and experienced team of Omanis. All teachers are Omani native speakers with a formal professional education as language teachers and experience in teaching Arabic to foreign students.

ALIM: Arabic Language Immersion in Muscat

Level: Intermediate (two years of university Arabic or the equivalent)

Instruction: Modern Standard Arabic, media literacy, passive comprehension and active use of “educated speech” (lughatalmuthaqqafeen) as used on Al Jazeera

Textbook: Al Kitaab fii Taalum Al Arabiya II (and authentic media material)

Program dates: June 10-July 21, 2011 (six weeks)

Schedule: Four hours daily, five days a week (three hours of classroom instruction and one hour in conversation with a peer facilitator)

Instructors: Native Omani Arabic speakers, with formal AFL training and experience teaching foreign university students and other international audiences

Accommodations: Students live with local homestay families, providing a window into Omani life and culture

Cultural activities: Lectures and films, museum visits, interactions with peer facilitators, participation in homestay family leisure activities

Class size: Two classes, six students each

Excursions: Weekend trips to interior villages and wadis

FULL SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY.

APPLICATION DEADLINE MAY 29. Program space is limited to 12. First applicants given priority.

Application Form

Summer 2011 ALIM Application and Information:
http://ncusar.org/programs/2011-ALIM.pdf

About the National Council on U.S.Arab Relations

Founded in 1983, the National Council on U.S.Arab Relations is an American nonprofit, nongovernmental, educational organization dedicated to improving American knowledge and understanding of the Arab world. The Council has been granted public charity status in accordance with Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All contributions are taxdeductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. The National Council does not employ or retain a lobbyist.

Vision

The National Council’s vision is a relationship between the United States and its Arab partners, friends, and allies that rests on as solid and enduring a foundation as possible. Such a foundation, viewed from both ends of the spectrum, is one that would be characterized by strengthened and expanded strategic, economic, political, commercial, and defense cooperation ties; increased joint ventures; a mutuality of benefit; reciprocal respect for each other’s heritage and values; and overall acceptance of each other’s legitimate needs, concerns, interests, and objectives.

Mission

The National Council’s mission is educational. It seeks to enhance American awareness, knowledge, and understanding of the Arab countries, the Mideast, and the Islamic world. Its means for doing so encompass but are not limited to programs for leadership development, peopletopeople exchanges, lectures, publications, an annual ArabU.S. Policymakers Conference, and the participation of American students and faculty in Arab world study experiences. As a public service, the Council also serves as an information clearinghouse and participant in national, state, and local grassroots outreach to media, think tanks, and select community, civic, educational, religious, business, and professional associations. In these ways the Council helps strengthen and expand the overall ArabU.S. relationship.

I Speak For Myself

uwmesp — Wed, 04 May 2011 15:15:17 +0000

Getting close to the end…

uwmesp — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 18:10:32 +0000

Hello all!

As spring semester is slowly wrapping up, I wanted to take a moment to remind of you of some great resources. The MESP website has lots of information regarding courses, faculty, etc. I will continue to update this blog with internships, events around campus, and other opportunities. If you know of any events that you feel relate to MESP, please feel free to email cmes@mideast.wisc.edu. Furthermore, check out the Ghapps website for all of the international events around campus.

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please feel free to email cmes@mideast.wisc.edu.

Thanks so much and good luck with finals!

-MESP

Lecture and Q&A About Libya

uwmesp — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 17:28:32 +0000

Do you want to know more about the current situation in Libya?
The Distinguished Lecture Series will present a spotlight on Libya event
Monday April 25 at 6pm in the Memorial Union (for room check TITU).
No tickets required, seating may be limited.

Our presenter is UW Political Science Prof. Jon Pevehouse
who will be discussing recent events and hosting a Q&A.

Prof. Jon Pevehouse is an expert in international relations theory,
international security, foreign policy, international political economy, and political methodology.
Specifically, Professor Pevehouse focuses on the link between international institutions and their political
and economic outcomes whether at the domestic or international level.
Topics on which he has recently published include reciprocity in regional conflicts,
regional trade agreements, international influences on democratization, and economic interdependence.

Lecture: “Backlash 9/11: Middle Eastern and Muslim Americans Respond”

uwmesp — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 20:08:49 +0000

The Middle East Studies Program will be hosting the final lecture of our Spring Lecture Series on Wednesday, April 20 at 6 pm in Ingraham Hall, Room 206. Professor Mehdi Bozorgmehr will be giving a lecture entitled “Backlash 9/11: Middle Eastern and Muslim Americans Respond” based on his book of the same title.

This award-wining book is a comprehensive analysis of the impact of hate crimes and government initiatives on Middle Eastern and Muslim Americans after 9/11 and the organized responses of these communities. Mehdi Bozorgmehr is Professor of Sociology and founding Co-Director of the Middle East and Middle Eastern American Center at the Graduate Center, City University of New York.

For more information, please visit mideast.wisc.edu or email cmes@mideast.wisc.edu. Please see attached flier.

Thanks so much and we hope to see you there!

Middle East Studies Program

Upcoming MESP Lecture on Tuesday, April 12

uwmesp — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:53:06 +0000

MESP has a lecture coming up on Tuesday, April 12 at 6 pm by Professor Adeed Dawisha. The lecture is entitled “The Winter of their Discontent: Arabs, Revolutions and Democratic Struggles” and will be held in Ingraham Hall, Room 206. It is co-sponsored with the Department of Political Science

Adeed Dawisha is a Distinguished Professor at Miami University and has researched extensively on the international and comparative politics of the Middle East. In addition to over 65 journal articles and book chapters, Dr. Dawisha has published 10 books, the latest of which is “Iraq: A Political History from Independence to Occupation” (Princeton, 2009). He has written articles for the New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, and International Herald Tribune. He has also appeared on British and American television, most frequently on CNN and the News Hour with Jim Lehrer, and has been interviewed regularly by National Public Radio and the BBCs world and domestic services.

If you need any further information, please feel free to email cmes@mideast.wisc.edu.

Thank you so much and we hope to see you there!

Middle East Studies Program

Upcoming Event: The Arabian Nights

uwmesp — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 17:18:34 +0000

Shabnam Rezaei and Aly Jetha,
creators of the animated series, 1001 Nights
and co-founders of its production company, Big Bad Boo Studios

in a conversation
on
‘Negotiating the opportunities and dangers
of representing 1001 Nights
at this historical moment
in the US’

Thursday, April 7
1 – 2 p.m.
in
6203 Social Science Bldg.

The conversation with Rezaei and Jetha is made possible by the ongoing series “Great World Texts in Wisconsin,” sponsored and organized by the U.W. Madison Humanities Center. This year’s “world text” is 1001 Nights. Following on teachers’ workshop in fall and spring semesters, the Center is hosting a student conference on Wednesday, April 6, 8:30 – 3:30 in the Memorial Union to showcase the work of high-school students from around the state who’ve been reading 1001 Nights in their classes. Rezaei and Jetha are the keynote speakers at that conference.

For more information, visit the event website.