Israeli History and the Israel-Palestine Conflict
Duration: Three weeks
Overview
Start of programme: 1 July 2013
This course provides a historical overview of the Israel-Palestine conflict and examines its political, social and cultural reflections, from late Ottoman Palestine to the present day.
Alongside the political history, the course will emphasise social and cultural aspects of the conflict. It will bring a variety of voices and perspectives on the conflict, its underlying causes and dynamics; these perspectives include not only the two “official” narratives, the Israeli and the Palestinian one, but also voices “from below” of marginalised groups. Attention will be given to groups whose position does not fit easily with the official narratives: local Jewish communities in Palestine, Arab Palestinian collaborators with the British and the Zionists, Middle Eastern Jews in Israel, and Palestinian citizens of Israel. Architecture, visual art, film, novellas and poems will be discussed as means to analyse and understand the conflict.
Social Programme
You will also be able to enjoy our social programme, starting with a welcome party and a river cruise on the Thames. A guided tour of historical Bloomsbury where SOAS is situated will help you find your way around the campus area. You will also receive discount codes for day trips and overnight tours with our partner International Friends once you have registered for one of our courses.
Further details: www.internationalfriends.co.uk.
Dates
The summer school will run from Monday 1 July - Friday 19 July 2013.
Fees
Tuition
A tuition fee of £1250 will be charged per 3-week programme. This figure does not include accommodation fees.
Accommodation
A limited number of rooms will be available at International Hall which is located in the heart of Bloomsbury. You will be able to request a place once your application has been approved. Please note that the deadline for confirmation and payment of accommodation will be 17 May 2013, however you are advised to request a room as early as possible to avoid disappointment. The cost for 20 nights from 30 June - 19 July (inclusive) is £800, which includes breakfast every day. Please email sophie.dilley@soas.ac.uk to reserve place.
Application fee
A one-off, non-refundable application fee of £55 will be charged to cover administration costs.
Credits
If you intend to claim credits from your home institution, please check the requirements with them before you enrol. We will be happy to assist you in any way we can, however please be aware that the decision to award credits rests with your home institution.
Courses do not bear any UK credits but they will provide you with between 40–50 hours of face to face contact time, which includes lectures and tutorials, during the 3 week period. Assessment will be optional and will vary for each course. Participants will be provided with a certificate of attendance. Transcripts will be available on request.
Contacts
For more information, please email Sophie Dilley at summerschool@soas.ac.uk
Structure
This course provides an historical overview of the Israel-Palestine conflict and examines its political, social and cultural reflections, from late Ottoman Palestine to the present day. Alongside the political history, the course will emphasise social and cultural aspects of the conflict. It will bring a variety of contrasting perspectives on the conflict, its underlying causes and dynamics; these perspectives include not only the two “official” narratives, the Israeli and the Palestinian, but also those of voices “from below” of marginalised groups.
Assessment: is optional and will be in the form of a 2000-2500 words essay, to be returned by Friday the 2nd of August at the latest.
Topics:
Week 1
1. Introduction
2. The origins of Zionism and Arab Palestinian nationalism
3. British Mandate: British policies, Zionism and Arab resistance
4. 1948 – the war and its aftermath, Nakba and Israeli independence
Week 2
5. Palestinian Diaspora and the PLO
6. Occupation of the West Bank and Gaza and Intifada
7. Israel’s Others – Mizrahim, Palestinians, and Migrants
Week 3
8. Gender in the Israel/Palestine conflict
9. Oslo and its Collapse – from 1993 to 2013
10. End of Two State solution
Structure: The course will run from Monday - Thursday and consist of 30 hours of lectures and seminars, plus around 14 hours of extra activities such as study skills, trips and films throughout the three weeks.
Teaching & Learning
Teaching & Learning
At the end of a course, a student should be able to demonstrate:
- An understanding of the overall historical framework of the development of the Israeli-
Palestinian conflict in the 20th century as seen from several contrasting viewpoints. - The way in which this conflict has marked the development of Israeli and Palestinian
societies and cultures.
How to Apply
In order to join our Summer School, you will need to meet the following entry requirements:
- Have undertaken a year’s university level study
- A minimum English language requirement if English is not your first language:
- IELTS (www.ielts.org), 7 overall or higher, with at least 6.5 in all subscores.
- iBT 105+ with 22 in all subscores or 100 overall with no less than 25 in writing and no less than 22 in any other subscores.
- Or equivalent.
