Duke in the Arab World Information Session

Based in Morocco, this program provides students with the opportunity to explore not only the socio-political development and intricacies of the Maghreb region, but also to gain real life experiences through interaction, observation, field visits and homestays. Additionally, the program exposes participants to aspects of continuity and changes, communalities and differences within different cities in Morocco while enabling them to improve their Arabic language skills.One of the world's few remaining medieval cities, the historic medina of Fez is Morocco¿s cultural and spiritual capital, a must visit for any student of Arabic and Islamic studies. Fez is the seat of an ancient city, home to one of the oldest universities in the world, Al-Qarawiyyin is the oldest continuously functioning madrasa of modern time and in one of the world's largest car-free urban area.The program will examine the meanings of citizenship, minority rights, religious identities, gender, and politics. These issues are explored in theory and practice along with a number of extracurricular activities such as a home stay with a Moroccan family, a trip to Moulay Idriss and Meknes, a visit to Marrakesh, a desert excursion, explorations of Roman ruins, study in Fez¿s ancient medina, and an Arabic calligraphy workshop.This event will be held in Languages 114B