Top Summer Courses in Area studies

This course is designed for individuals seeking to understand the reasons for the various international interventions in the Middle East since 1979 outside of the Israeli-Arab angle and what the impact of these interventions have been for local populations, societies, and states. This course examines the role of violence and warfare in the shaping of the Middle East, mainly in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and Iran since 1979, emphasizing the impact of American and British interventions. The course explores the factors that led to intervention in the region and what the consequences have been for the regional and national politics and social history within the region. Although American and British foreign policymaking will figure prominently in our analysis, we will devote attention as well to why domestic regimes and groups took the paths that it did.... [-]

This course examines the rapid developments in cinematic content in Asia in the representation of diverse sexualities and genders. The course will draw on mainstream film, independent film, mixed media and web series to investigate the complex issues at stake in discussing the notion of queer cinema in Asia. Film examples watched during the course will all come from across Asia, while secondary sources, both theoretical and examples of film analysis, will draw on Asian and Western contexts. While knowledge of one or more Asian languages is, of course, useful, it is by no means essential, and all key films will be subtitled. Any unsubtitled clips screened during lectures will be accompanied by detailed viewing notes.... [-]

This course serves as an introduction to the politics of North Africa (Maghreb), the Arab East (Mashriq) including the Gulf and the Arabian Peninsula, Israel, Turkey and Iran. It gives - on a country by county basis - an overview of the major political issues and developments in the region since the end of the First World War and addresses key themes in the study of contemporary Middle East politics, including: the role of the military, social and economic development, political Islam, and the recent uprisings (the 'Arab Spring').

Its aim is to develop the students' understanding of the major trends in the Middle East politics and their skills of political analysis through critical reading, lectures, presentations and informed discussion.... [-]

This course offers an introduction to the theories and methods of studying culture and deals with the history and development of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) culture from the classical period to the present. It examines the major cultural patterns and institutions of the MENA region.

The course is taught through a study of some lively topics such as religious and ethnic diversity, impact of the West, stereotyping, the role of tradition, education (traditional and modern), family structure and value, gender politics, media, life in city, town and village, labour and labour migration, the Palestinian refugee problem and exile communities, culinary cultures, music and media, etc.... [-]

Duration: one week

From 9.30AM until 12.30PM

The history of France is lined with emblematic characters, women or men, known to all. They each, in their own way, left their mark and shaped this country.

This cycle shows the imprint left by five famous French characters, between legend and reality.

Duration: one week

From 9.30 AM until 12.30 PM and from 2 PM until 5 PM

Please note that seats are limited.

People coming to Paris are often eager to know the capital, through what connects architecture and urbanism. The overall idea of this cycle is to offer a panoramic view of Paris through five major historical periods of its development:

Duration: one week

From 9.30 AM until 12.30 PM

This cycle presents the role of French women in the history of France and their influence in the arts and literature.

Duration: one week

From 2 PM until 5 PM

What are the main characteristics of France (art, literature, geography, history, and science)?

The Summer School course “EU Regional Policy - Reality Check and Perspective" offers a unique opportunity to learn and discuss structures, actors, processes, and challenges of regional and urban development and management in dialogue with international academic experts and practitioners. This will be achieved through lectures from leading academics and experts in the field.

During the course, you will obtain a profound understanding of the substance and usefulness of the most important concepts as well as develop analytical and critical skills needed to develop a holistic perspective needed to understand the roles, effects, and perspectives of implementing a regional policy with a particular focus on the EU. This will allow you to either re-orient your future studies or refresh and extend existing knowledge.... [-]

URL :www.sophia.ac.jp/eng/admissions/summer/summer_asia

This consists of the three-week academic program: Summer Session 1 and Summer Session 2. This Summer Session provides participants the opportunity to take part in East Asian Studies courses and intensive Japanese language courses in both sessions.

Since its foundation in 1961, this program has provided the participants with the opportunity to study about Japan and explore the country's relation to Asia and the rest of the world. The students experience various aspects of Japanese culture and society and witness the myriad ways in which all cultures of the world are reflected.... [-]

This course aims to place the modern Middle East in its international context, exploring histories of empire and decolonisation, hegemony and resistance, conflict and cooperation, as well as identity and foreign policy. It is informed by a rigorous engagement with theories of international relations. The course begins with an exploration of the different historical phases of interaction between Middle East states and the international system. These are divided into the colonial, Cold War and post-Cold War periods.

Lectures will cover the early settler colonies, Britain’s informal empire in the Gulf, and the Anglo-French mandates, as well as the rise of Turkey and Israel, and the challenge represented by the pan-Arabist revolutionary states, followed by a discussion of the Middle East’s place in the post-Cold War unipolar era. Each of these phases is discussed in tandem with relevant influential paradigms and concepts of international relations theory used to study the Middle East in its international context. Attention is paid to the question of the features of a regional sub-system, as well as the subfield of foreign policy analysis in international relations. The second section of the course tackles key themes in international relations, such as transnationalism, migration, oil, globalisation and identity. The final section of the course considers conflict and cooperation. This will involve analysis of the Arab-Israeli conflict, Arabism and Islamism, and the foreign policy-making and key actors of regional powers.... [-]

This course provides participants with an overall understanding of the history, politics and culture of Africa. With a diverse range of sessions, from History, Pan-Africanism and Politics to Languages, Migration, and Music, the course gives an in-depth knowledge of the main academic areas of study regarding Africa. The course comprises a combination of lectures and interactive workshops, as well as museum visits and social events.

This is a great opportunity given the prominence that Africa as a continent has gained over the past few years and the vision of Africa Rising, a continent with many job and investment opportunities. Also, within the Arts, we have seen an incredible rise in the presence of African artists in the international art circles which has been extremely stimulating and refreshing for an understanding of arts and cultures.... [-]

AMIDEAST Education Abroad Programs in Tunisia are currently suspended. Please check back for updates on the program or contact EdAbroad@amideast.org with any questions. Learn & Serve in Tunisia is a unique summer education abroad opportunity for undergraduate students to study in the Middle East/North Africa region and engage in intense service learning experiences with Tunisian students. The program includes a study component on Tunisian culture and society, a service learning component as native speaker resource persons in an English language immersion program for Tunisian high school students and a volunteer component with disabled Tunisian students. Since its creation, the Tunisia Learn & Serve program has offered AMIDEAST students a wide variety of service opportunities. Learn & Serve students will spend the summer learning about this unique country as well as working with local students in association with AMIDEAST local staff. In addition, students will have the opportunity to improve their Arabic and experience life in a Tunisian home while staying with a host family for a portion of the program.... [-]

It’ll be hard to sit still while you’re studying abroad in Sydney this summer! This program makes sure you won’t have to—with engaging courses, field study opportunities, and organized cultural events, you won’t have a dull moment. Fulfill a graduation requirement or try out something new, whichever you choose, you’ll learn more about Australia, and yourself, than you ever could at home. In addition to your courses, you'll take a four-day field study trip to Central Australia (Uluru and Alice Springs), which is included in your program fee.

We want you to feel at home in Sydney, so we do everything we can to help you integrate into life in the city. Beyond the classroom, we offer a variety of cultural opportunities to help you get to know the local culture. Welcome to study abroad!... [-]

Summer may just be the best time to live and learn in London. Who wouldn’t want to spend a summer here, with time to also visit all the free museums, watch movies under the stars, and explore the 400+ green spaces in the city?

Our UK Today Program provides you with the opportunity to explore the vibrant culture and rich heritage of contemporary London through a wide range of courses—all of which apply to British history and culture.

Our unique academic experience integrates course-related excursions into virtually all courses to maximize the many opportunities for learning that London presents. This program is a great opportunity to continue your studies while using London as your classroom.... [-]