Courses

Modern Standard Arabic | Coloquial Arabic | Social Science Courses

SOCIAL/ POLITICAL SCIENCE COURSES:

PAS social science courses are taught by Birzeit University professors who are specialized and have published works in the fields that are offered. Students are required to: prepare for and participate in class discussions; submit written assignments; in select courses, students will take a final exam. Syllabi are provided at the beginning of each session. All courses are conducted in English. Generally, only the two or three courses in highest demand are offered each semester.

SOCI 234 - Palestinian Society - (Spring & Fall - 4 hrs/wk, 3 credits. Summer - 6 hrs/wk, 3 credits)

This course introduces students to contemporary issues of Palestinian society and its institutions. It deals primarily with Palestinian society in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, adding the perspective of recent historical developments and the socio-political conditions of Palestinians in neighboring Arab countries and inside Israel. A third of the course deals with the dramatic changes in Palestinian society since the first Intifada. The main themes cover: changes in the social structure of Palestinian society before and under Israeli rule; the transformation of Palestinian society during the first Intifada, after the Oslo Accords and in the second Intifada.

POLS 333 - The Palestine Question (Spring & Fall - 4 hrs/wk, 3 credits. Summer - 6 hrs/wk, 3 credits)

This course studies the Palestine question from its various dimensions: historical, ideological, national, political, socio-economic and cultural. It focuses on a number of issues such as: the historical claims to Palestine; the emergence of Zionism and Palestinian nationalism; the British Mandate; the establishment of Israel; developments since 1948; the refugee problem; the rise of Palestinian national movements; the establishment of the PLO and the Palestinian resistance movement after 1967; the evolution of the PLO and the various ideological tendencies; the first and second Intifada; the Oslo Accords, the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations and the peace process.

WOMS 232 - Women in Arab Society (Spring & Fall - 4 hrs/wk, 3 credits. Summer - 6 hrs/wk, 3 credits)

Beginning with an overview of the basic features of contemporary Arab society as they relate to the question of women and gender relations, particular emphasis is placed on the role of women in the family and in production, including participation in the wage labor force. The role of the state in defining the nature and scope of women’s participation in society and their social and economic rights are investigated, as are recent Islamist trends and their focus on the modesty of women and their place in society. Finally, the course examines the history of women’s organized action as it developed within the Arab nationalist movement and beyond.

SOCI 233 - Arab Society (Spring & Fall - 4 hrs/wk, 3 credits. Summer - 6 hrs/wk, 3 credits)

This course deals with the main social structures in contemporary Arab society (the family, political systems, economic systems, class structures) and focuses on instruments and tendencies towards change in these structures. The course studies Arab social reality from the mid 20th century until present and concentrates on the homogeneity and similarities of different Arab societies on the one hand, and on the heterogeneity and the crisis that faces the society on the other hand. The course also deals with issues such as liberation and its social consequences.

CULS 438 - Palestinian Cultural Studies (Spring & Fall- 4 hrs/wk - 3 credits)

This course will explore some aspects of the rich and diverse Palestinian culture and cultural heritage. It will venture through folklore to learn about music, songs and dance. Dresses and handicrafts and how they developed through the years. It will discuss Palestinian traditions through folktales, proverbs, marriage and morning rituals and food. The course will also explore other aspects of Palestinian culture and art such as literature and poetry through studying some writings of prominent writers and poets. Theater and cinema and their development through the years. The course will also examine the effects of the political events on these fields.

CULS 332 – Modern and Contemporary Arab Thought (Fall, Spring & Summer – 4hrs\wk – 3 credits. Summer - 6 hrs a week, 3 credits)

This course deals with the rise and development of Modern and Contemporary Arab Thought. This is carried out through a systematic and deep-searching study of important intellectual and cultural currents. These include reformism, religious fundamentalism, nationalism, socialism, liberalism, etc. The course also deals with the interaction between these currents and the Arab-Islamic heritage, as well as western civilization. Finally, the course deals with the most important challenges which face Al-Mashriq and Al-Maghreb, which include: imperialism and decolonization, the national state and Arab unity, democracy, pan-Arabism and Islam, dependency and independence, problems of Arab-Islamic culture, minorities, innovation and creativity, Palestine and the Zionist challenge.





Courses Modern Standard Arabic \| Coloquial Arabic \| Social Science Courses Study Options and Accreditation SOCIAL/ POLITICAL SCIENCE COURSES: PAS social science courses are taught by Birzeit University professors who are specialized and have published works in the fields that are offered. Students are required to: prepare for and participate in class discussions; submit written assignments; in select courses, students will take a final exam. Syllabi are provided at the beginning of each session. All courses are conducted in English. Generally, only the two or three courses in highest demand are offered each semester. *SOCI 234 - Palestinian Society* - (Spring & Fall - 4 hrs/wk, 3 credits. Summer - 6 hrs/wk, 3 credits) This course introduces students to contemporary issues of Palestinian society and its institutions. It deals primarily with Palestinian society in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, adding the perspective of recent historical developments and the socio-political conditions of Palestinians in neighboring Arab countries and inside Israel. A third of the course deals with the dramatic changes in Palestinian society since the first Intifada. The main themes cover: changes in the social structure of Palestinian society before and under Israeli rule; the transformation of Palestinian society during the first Intifada, after the Oslo Accords and in the second Intifada. *POLS 333 - The Palestine Question* (Spring & Fall - 4 hrs/wk, 3 credits. Summer - 6 hrs/wk, 3 credits) This course studies the Palestine question from its various dimensions: historical, ideological, national, political, socio-economic and cultural. It focuses on a number of issues such as: the historical claims to Palestine; the emergence of Zionism and Palestinian nationalism; the British Mandate; the establishment of Israel; developments since 1948; the refugee problem; the rise of Palestinian national movements; the establishment of the PLO and the Palestinian resistance movement after 1967; the evolution of the PLO and the various ideological tendencies; the first and second Intifada; the Oslo Accords, the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations and the peace process. *WOMS 232 - Women in Arab Society* (Spring & Fall - 4 hrs/wk, 3 credits. Summer - 6 hrs/wk, 3 credits) Beginning with an overview of the basic features of contemporary Arab society as they relate to the question of women and gender relations, particular emphasis is placed on the role of women in the family and in production, including participation in the wage labor force. The role of the state in defining the nature and scope of women’s participation in society and their social and economic rights are investigated, as are recent Islamist trends and their focus on the modesty of women and their place in society. Finally, the course examines the history of women’s organized action as it developed within the Arab nationalist movement and beyond. *SOCI 233 - Arab Society* (Spring & Fall - 4 hrs/wk, 3 credits. Summer - 6 hrs/wk, 3 credits) This course deals with the main social structures in contemporary Arab society (the family, political systems, economic systems, class structures) and focuses on instruments and tendencies towards change in these structures. The course studies Arab social reality from the mid 20th century until present and concentrates on the homogeneity and similarities of different Arab societies on the one hand, and on the heterogeneity and the crisis that faces the society on the other hand. The course also deals with issues such as liberation and its social consequences. *CULS 438 - Palestinian Cultural Studies* (Spring & Fall- 4 hrs/wk - 3 credits) This course will explore some aspects of the rich and diverse Palestinian culture and cultural heritage. It will venture through folklore to learn about music, songs and dance. Dresses and handicrafts and how they developed through the years. It will discuss Palestinian traditions through folktales, proverbs, marriage and morning rituals and food. The course will also explore other aspects of Palestinian culture and art such as literature and poetry through studying some writings of prominent writers and poets. Theater and cinema and their development through the years. The course will also examine the effects of the political events on these fields. *CULS 332 – Modern and Contemporary Arab Thought* (Fall, Spring & Summer – 4hrs\wk – 3 credits. Summer - 6 hrs a week, 3 credits) This course deals with the rise and development of Modern and Contemporary Arab Thought. This is carried out through a systematic and deep-searching study of important intellectual and cultural currents. These include reformism, religious fundamentalism, nationalism, socialism, liberalism, etc. The course also deals with the interaction between these currents and the Arab-Islamic heritage, as well as western civilization. Finally, the course deals with the most important challenges which face Al-Mashriq and Al-Maghreb, which include: imperialism and decolonization, the national state and Arab unity, democracy, pan-Arabism and Islam, dependency and independence, problems of Arab-Islamic culture, minorities, innovation and creativity, Palestine and the Zionist challenge.