MENA 360: Middle East and North Africa (MENA)Study Tour: All Majors, Speaking Intensive

This course is open to all Majors/Minors on Campus

Prerequisite: Approved application through Study Abroad Office.

This course substitutes as a Minor in the MENA Studies

Repeatable to another country: May earn a maximum of six credits.

Bridgewater State UniversitySpring/Winter Break Sessions 2021/2022Overseas Travel Dates: March 5-14, 2021 or January 2-16, 2022 or March 4-13, 20222.30 Hour each Campus Meetings: Twice before and twice after the Travel, plus Symposium.

Also, Individual Study Abroad sessions by the Minnock Institute of Global Engagement

Course Description

Open to all majors, MENA 360 is a Core Curriculum Speaking-intensive course that offers hands-on unique international interdisciplinary academic experiential way of travel to one or several countries of the Middle East and North Africa region. Offers real world learning by way of practical experience and cultural awareness and understanding of the local people, language, religion, natural environments, socio-economic life patterns, and multicultural communications.

Course Synopsis:Since September 11, 2001, the World has taken a new dimension on the issues of “Terrorism”. The implications of this reality are far reaching for America and for the world as a whole in the 21st Century. Middle East & North Africa (MENA) Study Tour offers opportunity for students to discuss, debate, and develop themes about complicated issues in that region as they travel and perceive first-hand. Each day while traveling in a bus or waiting in a lobby, class session will begin with fresh ideas from their observations and elicit discussions and opinions to argue back and forth in this speaking intensive course. All students are expected to speak and participate at the Symposium and of those, good research papers will be encouraged to submit for consideration in the "Undergraduate Research Journal", Bridgewater State University or elsewhere in respective journals related to the MENA region.

RATIONALE

MENA courted for its vast energy resources – a principal ingredient of the global economy – the world finds the steady and guaranteed availability of those resources increasingly at risk. Without exception, the states of the MENA are the products of the twentieth century international politics and the conflict of interests of dominant and powerful outside powers. Clashing national interests and external involvement in regional affairs have set the tone for the internal and regional conflicts of MENA states. Thus, the inter-communal violence in modern Lebanon has its roots in foreign (French and British) support for various communal groups in the

1860s, setting the groups against one another under the guise of protecting them from the Ottoman government. European intervention contributed significantly to the conflict process. Once again, the invasion of Iraq by US forces has brought in another dimension.

The territory of Afghanistan, Syria, Iran and Iraq are familiar to most who have been watching news. Even countries like India, Russia are not immune from Terrorism and it needs to be understood. In the same token, the rise and fall of “Arab Spring” is an enigma. Insurgency is another element of war in several regions/countries that we need to understand the circumstances and its repercussions. Lately, out-migration and refugee crisis is a new dimension that has emerged in MENA region.

This course will familiarize students with the MENA cultural and physical environments. Further, it will explore the dominance and power of oil-producing countries against the weaker non-oil producing countries. We will examine the Arab-Israeli conflict with the dominance of Israel over the occupied Palestinian territories. Further, they should understand the major political, cultural and social issues confronting the region and have some thoughts on how they might possibly be resolved.

Contributions to Classroom Learning:

Participation and learning through field trips are very important. This is a speaking intensive course. Apart from allowing you an opportunity to hone your oral communication skills, you can also make an effective contribution to the learning of your peers and in turn benefit from their knowledge. Your class participation includes travel punctuality, my assessment of your overall level of preparedness, and the extent to which you ask questions, attempt to answer questions, or provide other relevant comments during our discussions. Grades for class participation will depend on both quality and frequency of participation. Participation will be judged on the basis of:

Evidence of informed and thoughtful analysis Fit with the flow of class discussion Ability to provoke constructive debate Ability to influence the class opinion

Learning Objectives:

1. Experience and explore the socio-economic and cultural fabric of the country one visits.2. From visual and personal interaction, apply critical thinking skills and link the demographics,

socio-economy and political systems.3. Conduct exploratory research on the various dimensions of globalization and their impact on

the country, and vice versa. 4. Understand the socio-cultural implications of multi-media and geopolitics of the region. 5. Develop an understanding of the business and social environment in that country, and gain

insights into the distinctive nature of the business opportunities and challenges in this market world.

6. Enhance the oral communication skills of students.

7. Provide a socioeconomic and cultural appraisal of the country or sub-region under study.Learning Outcomes:

1. Ability to gain first-hand experience in their research specialization in an interdisciplinary context.

2. Ability to comprehend how a country has influence on and is impacted by the phenomenon of technology, media, and globalization.

3. Ability to present in written and oral form the methods, challenges, broader impacts and conclusions of their field experiences to their peers.

4. Ability to provoke constructive debate5. Ability to influence the class opinion in his research topic6. Ability to present their findings at the Mid-Year or StARS symposium or at the MENA

conferences and University led programs.

Field Travel Precis:Courses that involve field study tours increase the scope and definition of the learning environment, and significantly enlarge the space-time continuum. This is even more so when the field study tour undertaken is overseas. While on a field tour abroad, each of us act as ambassadors of the university and the country that we belong to. It is therefore even more necessary that we maintain exemplary standards of conduct and professionalism in all that we say or do 24/7 while on tour. Pursuant to this objective, each student will be required to adhere to the Do’s and Don’ts for the foreign field tour. Violation of these rules and conduct will entail dismissal from the tour and award of a “Fail” grade in the course.

Evaluation: Evaluation of student performance will be based on a variety of individual and team oral presentations, and final project. Term paper and presentations weighted as indicated below:

Field Experiences on Economy/Society/Culture Discussions 30%

Final Project – Paper & Oral Presentation at BSU Symposium 40%

Individual Intuitive Learning and Field Work Observations 30%

Assignments:

Individual Report and In-Class Oral Presentation:

The objective of these assignments is to provide you with the experience of researching and understanding an assigned topic as the starting point for your subsequent team assignments. It is also designed to help you enhance your oral communication skills. Detailed guidelines for this assignment will be provided in class.

You will be expected to share the knowledge gained from research on the assigned topic in a short oral presentation before the class.

Here are some Dichotomous topics for you to select for your presentation (Take for example, QATAR in MENA Region)

1. Climate and Environment2. Globalization 3. Life styles of the locals (Qatari)

a. Clothingb. Fashion c. Men vs. Women

4. Life styles of the Migrants (Working class)a. Clothingb. Fashionc. Men vs. Women

5. Traditions and Modernity - Arts, Crafts, Culture, Valuesa. Designs b. Housesc. Infrastructure

6. Is Qatar Secular? Visible or Invisible 7. Religion in Qatar 8. Economic Spectrum9. Gender Education at all levels10. Trade: Qatar and the World11. Urbanization: Similarities and Dissimilarities 12. Real Estate and Growth13. Affirmative Action _ Qatar Govt. versus USA (What works and what doesn’t)14. Sports in Qatar – Soccer, Desert events, Camel run …15. Entertainment for Men, Women, Children….16. Your own topic of personal interest . . . .

All these topics are comparative and analytical (dichotomy driven), written with your own independent viewpoint from personal observations / communications with some study materials to back up your opinion. It is like seeing both sides of the coin (one side Qatar and other side You – USA/home). You need to write your paper keeping in mind the following wherever relevant.

- Merits and demerits,- Contrast and Similarities,- Advantages and Disadvantages,- Good or bad; right or wrong,- Social Justice and inequality, - Global Culture- Multiculturalism etc…

Field Experiences on Economy/Society/Culture/PoliticsWorking either individually or in teams, you will research and explore on a specific assigned segment of that country’s society and make an oral presentation of the issues identified. You will then carry out further work and make recommendations to address one of the issues identified, prepare a written report and make a final presentation. Detailed guidelines for the team project and presentations will be provided in class. This is done after you return from the field trip.

A Tool that helps your Research: Blogs

You will maintain a multimedia reflective journal of your experiences on this study tour.  The weblog (or blog) is perhaps the best tool for this purpose.  

Please set up your blogs before we leave. Your blog should be an ongoing commentary on your experiences.  You might want to include photos, video clips, links to websites, etc. (i.e. anything you find interesting that pertains to a MENA region and your experiences while on the tour).  With all of the places we visit and all of the people we meet, there should be no shortage of ‘blogworthy’ material to reflect on.  

Required TasksDuring and upon returning to BSU, students are required to do the following:-Keep an intensive computer-generated journal. Entries begin from the first orientation meeting on campus, during the duration of the tour, and close with a thoughtful and reflective narrative of the learning lessons and changes felt by the individual participant.-Participate in a seminar session open to BSU campus. Faculty leaders will work with participants to decide on the best forms for presentations. -Capture digital photos and videos to be shared with all participants on the topic of your interest and for presentation purposes.-Participate in class blogging.

Research Project

Objectives: Research an aspect of development and sustainability in Qatar.

Deliverables:Participate in the StARS Symposium – Monday, April xx, 2022.

Your Choice: Poster Presentation or Oral Presentation.

https://my.bridgew.edu/departments/OUR/SitePages/BSU%20Student%20Research%20Symposium.aspx

Prepare a PowerPoint on your topic.

Due Date: April 18, 2022.

KEY TERMS Arab League, Arab Spring, Alawi, Ayatollah, Sunni, Shiite, Sufism, Brain drain, Caliph, Chador (Abaya), Choke point, Culture hearth, Fatwa, Fertile Crescent, Hajj, Halal, Hamas, Hijab, Hijrah (Hegira), Imam, Intifada, Insurgency, Islamic fundamentalism, Kibbutz, Levant, Maghreb, Medina, Monotheism, Muezzin, Mujahid or Mujahideen for plural, Mullah, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), OAPEC, OIC, Ottoman Empire,

Palestinian Authority (PA), Pastoral nomadism, Polisario – SADR, Protectorate, Qanat system, Sharia, Sharif, Shia or Shiite, Suez Canal, Sura, Suq or Souk, Taliban, Theocratic state, Torah, Transhumance, Ulema, UAE, UNHCR, UNPF, UNRWA.

GRADE DISTRIBUTION Using your numeric Final Grade value (based on a 100-point scale), review the table below to determine the corresponding letter value. Numeric Final Grade values are rounded up or down to the nearest zero decimal value (ex. 92.5 becomes an “A”; 92.2 remains an “A-“).

GRADE

DESCRIPTION

4-POINT EQUIVALENT 100-POINT

A Superior 4.0 93-100A- Superior 3.7 90-92B+ Good 3.3 87-89B Good 3.0 83-86B- Good 2.7 80-82C+ Satisfactory 2.3 77-79C Satisfactory 2.0 73-76C- Satisfactory 1.7 70-72D Poor 1.0 65-69F Failure 0.0 0-64

Academic Integrity and HonestyYou are required to observe Bridgewater State University compliance policies. BSU policies regarding academic integrity, as well as a complete list of all academic policies are available online: Academic-Integrity and PolicyCitations and References You are required to use MLA Style: Sample Bibliographic Entries (7th edition or the latest edition) see this link: Citations and References .

If you have any questions please contact any of our excellent LIBRRIANS at Maxwell Library libraryweb@bridgew.edu They will be delighted to help you.

Note: class syllabus, announcements, and assignments are available on blackboard. Detailed instruction for each assignment is posted to blackboard, assignments and instructions.You’re asked to submit your assignments as scheduled. Late assignments won’t be accepted. However, the only legitimate excuse for a late assignment is an illness, accident or family emergency. If this happens to you, i will need documentation or verification through the assistant dean’s or the registrar’s office.

Unless the request is supported by official and medical documentations INCOMPLETE grade is not considered as an option in this course.

Your official BSU email “username@student.bridgew.edu” address is the only recognized email address for this course and our communication. Using other email addresses like yahoo, Gmail, comcast, and AOL will be ignored.

Download and print class syllabus for your daily use. You must login to the course site as frequently as possible. You’re encouraged to adopt the best practices by checking your class blackboard site at least once a day to review the assignments for the week, and to start working on the individual assignment prior to deadline.

As a member of this class community, you are encouraged to work and interact effectively in class and via the discussion board with your colleagues and the instructor. An effective interaction means you make an intellectual effort to contribute to the content of the course, and create a sense of the benefits of online coursework as an essential part of your educational experience. This kind of interaction will satisfy our educational need, enforce our social presence, and cognitive presence as well.

If you are a Mac user (like me), then, you will have to know how to do your homework accessible in blackboard. It is your responsibility to use the correct format when submitting your assignments.

Discussion Board and assignments availability are restricted by dates and times. You won’t be able to submit your work beyond scheduled dates and times.

Assignments can wreck your grade. It’s no overstatement to say that the workload is serious and substantial. Plan and don’t overload your schedule with unnecessary work or engagements. However, there will be several opportunities for you to show your knowledge, critical thinking, and skill in this online class.

Blackboard AnnouncementsStudents are required to frequently check the latest announcements and any updates. It’s important to check your class syllabus regularly to be able to able to know what’s it and when it should be submitted. Don’t rely on announcements only.

Writing StudioBSU Writing Studio offers free consultations to provide students feedback on their writing (or to brainstorm ideas to write about later). Students stop by the studio regarding many types of homework. The Writing Studio is located on the ground floor of Maxwell Library, Academic Achievement Center can be reached by phone at (508) 531-2053. Writing Studio

Contract Please remember, the course syllabi is a contract between students and instructors. I encourage you to review it and always come back to it to understand the assignments. I also would like to ask you to let me know if you have a problem or issue related to this course. I will be willing to help you, but I won’t bend or violate the course policies. A statement like: I spoke with many students and they told me so and so” won’t cut it for you. Please let me know the issue and you and I will find a way to overcome it with compromising the level quality of educational learning.

Students with Disabilities

If you need special arrangements or reasonable accommodations for a documented disability, please contact Disability Resources at (508) 531-1713. If you would like to share pertinent medical information with me, request special arrangements, or need special assistance, please let me know as soon as possible. I will make sure the course content and its activities are effectively accessible. Disability Resources Office:

Title IX and Sexual ViolenceThe Office of Equal Opportunity and the Title IX Coordinator work to ensure that all members of the campus community flourish in a supportive and fair climate. To learn more regarding all resources for victim-survivors, please visit See Affirmative Action  or Sexual Violence Advocacy Support Center

References:Friedman, Thomas. (2006) The World is Flat.Bhagwati, Jagdish, (2007) In Defense of Globalization. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Cox, M. (2007). What Every Student Should Know About Preparing Effective Oral Presentations, Pearson.

The Middle East & North Africa Studies

DRAFT PROGRAM

Course: MENA 360: Study Abroad All Majors, Speaking Intensive (QATAR)Duration: March 4 - 12, 2022

Departure Date from Boston Friday, March 4, 2022 @22:15 Arrival in Doha Saturday, March 5, 2022 @ 18:10

Returning Date: Saturday, March 12, 2022Arrival Date: Saturday, March 12, 2022.

QATAR AIRWAYS

Host and Contact Person: Dr. Sahar Saleh | Assistant Professor & Academic Affairs Coordinator | Math and Sciences Department, Community College of Qatar, P.O. Box: 7344, Doha, State of Qatar. www.ccq.edu.qa 

 +974-4401-1397

Date Event AssignmentsFri3/4

Departure day early morning

QATAR Airways QR 744 at 22:15 pm from Boston, Friday, March 4.

Arrive to Doha, Saturday, 3/5at 18:10 pm

Depart from BSU campus 6:45 pm. transportation from campus to Logan International Airport. We should arrive to Logan two hours prior to 22:15 pm departure.

Sat 3/5 Arrive to Doha, Qatar

Doha skylineSun3/6

Visit Community College of Qatar -7:30am Breakfast-9:00am Depart to CCQ campus-Meet& Greet President of CCQ.-Campus tour-Lecture: History, culture, society, and economy of Qatar -Lunch with students and faculty

Mon3/7

Exploring History and Culture -7:30am Breakfast-9:00am Pick up by our friends from CCQ-Museum of Islamic Art-Visit Souq Wagif-Katara Cultural Village 1:00pm Lunch2:00pm Returning to hotel4:00pm Group meeting5:00pm Cultural Explorations7:00pm Dinner

Contact InformationFaculty Leaders Dr. Madhu RaoAcademic Director, MIGE Dr. Jabbar Al-Obaidi Phones_ Madhu Rao Jabbar Al-0Obaidi

508-531-2120508-531-2187

Emails_ Madhu RaoJabbar Al-Obaidi

mrao@bridgew.edujalobaidi@bridgew.edu

Course SchedulesNote: Activities may be amended pending the offer we receive by our local contacts and arrangements.

Thank you.

Qatar

QATARSpring 2022 Travel Course Human and Environmental

March 4-12, 2022travel dates subject to change +/- 1-3

BRIDGEWATER STATE UNIVERSITYSTUDY ABROAD OFFICE 508 531 6183STUDYABROAD@BRIDGEW.EDU WWW.BRIDGEW.EDU/STUDYABROAD

Travel Dates: March 4-12, 2020.

Qatar

Faculty LeaderProf. Madhu Rao mrao@bridgew.eduProf. Jabbar Al-Obaidi jalobaidi@bridgew.edu

Course InfoUndergrad: MENA 360Minor in MENA Studies. Program IncludesBSU 3-credits, airfare, accommodations, in-countrytransportation, itinerary activities, & some meals. Additional costs: Application fee, additional meals, airline baggage fees (if applicable) & spending money.

Program Cost$1,595 - $1,000 DOE Grant Funding

Pre and Post Travel MeetingsDates TBD

Application Deadline

November 29, 2021

Contact InfoBSU Study Abroad Office25 Park TerraceBridgewater, MA 02325508.531.6183 studyabroad@bridgew.edu www.bridgew.edu/studyabroad

Rolling AcceptanceApplications are reviewed and students are accepted on a rolling basis. Students are expected to pay the $300 deposit within one week of acceptance

Course DescriptionBy taking this course students will gain first-hand experience and a better understanding of Qatar - the richest country in the World. Currently as you travel, one understands the growing economic interdependence amongcountries as reflected in the increasing cross-border flows of goods and services, capital, know-how and people. In this interdependent world, it is therefore, appropriate to understand how Qatar has influence on and is impacted by the phenomenon of oil wealth, construction, media, immigration and globalization in the midst of Islamic culture.

Sites & HighlightsVisit the Community College of Qatar,Souq Wagif, Katara Cultural Village, andNorthwestern University. Tour theMuseum of Islamic Art, Mathaf ArabMuseum of Modern Art, Sheikh FaisalBin Qassim Al Thani Museum, the Olympic Sports Museum, and other Media organizations!