LAS - Liberal Arts Studies
Exploring Moroccan History, Culture & Society. Morocco has a very long history and a diverse culture. Its identity has been shaped by so many peoples and civilisations which, beside the native Berbers, date back to the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, the Romans, Greeks, and the Byzantines. The Arabo-Islamic civilisation in the 8th C.was later challenged and enriched by the indelible marks of European conquest and presence. Like the sweeping majority of world countries and as early as the seventies, Morocco has ridden the tide of globalisation leaving no doubt as to its liberal economic outlook, while making sure to preserve its "authenticity" as a Muslim, Arab-Amazigh country. The result is a hybrid culture that affects nearly every aspect of Moroccan identity and way of life. This melting pot is now visible everywhere. It is not surprising to see in the same area a donkey drawn cart "driving" by fancy glass high buildings. Since the death of Hassan II in 1999, Morocco has been transformed quite substantially; and this is evidenced at different levels, politically, socially, and culturally. This class explores the dynamics of Morocco today as expressed in literature, arts, media, politics, etc.
Intercultural Development for Students Abroad: Identity & Cultural Otherness. Studies have shown that students are likely to gain intercultural sensitivity/awareness/competence more quickly and more efficiently during their time abroad if equipped with a theoretical framework within which they can analyze and interpret their experiences (VandeBerg, et. al. 2009). The aim of this course is to provide tools and activities that will allow students to reflect upon and analyze their intercultural experience and to help them discover its transformative potential (Savicki 2008). The course will invite students to reflect on their own identity/multiplicity/cultural references and will introduce different concepts that will help them to better understand and advance through their own process of intercultural development during their time abroad.
Islamic Civilization & Artistic Expression. This course is a broad overview of historical and contemporary cultural context, bridging diverse domains from religion and politics to architecture, music and popular culture. This course aims equally at bringing history and culture to bear upon contemporary global issues that frequently involve the Muslim and Arab World such as universal human rights, peace and conflict, cross cultural communication, and cultural critique. We will examine a myriad of artistic representations from throughout the Islamic World from across the ages in order tt ascertain a deeper interpretation of Islamic Civilizations.