Loyola University Chicago- Summer Program in Tunisia, North Africa

Summer Program in Tunisia, North Africa

Loyola Faculty-Led Travel Course (May 16-June 5, 2010

Program Description
Trip Highlights
Syllabus
Faculty
Academics
Dates
Program Costs
Application Process
Biography of Trip Leader

Program Description

This special 22-day summer study travel course offers a unique experiential understanding of the Arab world, Islam and U.S. foreign policy through the case study of Tunisia. Students will be introduced to the culture, history, and politics of Tunisia, an Arab country that serves as the present-day embodiment of the Carthaginian Empire – one of the greatest empires in the history of the Mediterranean. A special combination of site visits, lectures by group leader Professor Peter J. Schraeder, and guest presentations by renowned Tunisian scholars will focus on the politics of democratization in the Arab world, the role of women in Muslim societies, Arab perceptions of U.S. foreign policy, U.S. perceptions of Tunisia’s role in the global war on terrorism, the evolving role of Islam in the Arab world, and the history of the Carthaginian, Roman, and French empires in North Africa.

The first five days of our summer study trip will be spent in the capital, Tunis, and will include visits to the winding passageways of the Arab medina (the old quarter of Tunis), the bustle of modern Habib Bourguiba Avenue (often referred to as the Champs Elysee of Tunis), the seafront suburbs of Sidi Bou Said and Carthage, the U.S. military cemetery (the final resting place of U.S. soldiers killed in North Africa during World War II), the Bardo Museum (a converted palace that now houses mosaics from the Roman era), and the U.S. Embassy. While in Tunis, you will meet and be able to spend time with English-speaking Tunisian university students who are as curious about America as you are about Tunisia. During this initial period, we will undertake two day trips: one to the northern town of Bizerte, and a second to the Roman ruins in Dougga and Bulla Regia.

The vast majority of our 22-day trip, however, will be spent visiting sites of political, religious, historical, and social significance throughout all regions of Tunisia, with highlights including visits to the kasbahs (Arab citadels) of Sousse and Monastir, exploring the troglodyte dwellings of Matmata and Tataouine that served as the film locales of the Star Wars movies, camping overnight in 8-person tents in the Sahara Desert (including a camel trek), visiting the Muslim holy town of Kairouan (including entry into the Great Mosque), exploring the mountains of southwest Tunisia in 4x4 land rovers, riding the "Red Lizard" railroad through the Seldja gorge and canyons (including stops for hiking), and climbing the virtually intact Roman colosseum in El Jem (one of the finest Roman monuments in Africa that is only rivalled by its counterpart in Rome).

To view the program flyer, click here.

Trip Highlights

Visit sites of political, religious and historical significance in more than 20 Tunisian towns & cities.
Experience a camel trek in Southern Tunisia.
Attend presentations at the U.S. Embassy, including a reception at the Ambassador’ s residence.
Take part in joint social events with English-speaking Tunisian students your own age.
Learn about the culture and politics of the Arab/Islamic world.
Visit Roman and Carthaginian ruins.
Lectures from world-renowned Tunisian scholars.
Camp overnight in the Sahara desert.

Syllabus with Daily Itinerary & Site Visits

Click here to view the full syllabus with daily itinerary and site visits for this 22-summer study travel course.

Faculty

The trip will be led by Professor Peter J. Schraeder, a specialist of African and Middle Eastern politics and U.S. foreign policy in the Department of Political Science at Loyola University Chicago, who each January and June teaches and carries out research in Tunisia, including having spent the 2002-03 academic year with his family as a Fulbright lecturer in Tunisia with the University of Tunis (see attached biography).

Professor Schraeder is fluent in English and French. Our trip assistant will be a student who participated in the 2009 summer study course. In addition to Professor Schraeder’s lectures and discussions throughout the trip, this summer travel course will benefit from lectures by renowned Tunisian scholars.

This course constitutes the 7^th time Professor Schraeder will be leading a group of students to Tunisia, including spring 2004 and 2005 trips from Loyola’s John Felice Rome Center in Italy, and summer 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 trips from Loyola’s Chicago campus.

Academics

Students participating in this program will receive three credit hours for the class they take.

Course Offering: Political Science (PLSC 300): The Arab World, Islam, and U.S. Foreign Policy

Cross-listed with Black World Studies, International Studies, Islamic World Studies, and Peace Studies.
This special summer study trip offers a unique experiential understanding of the Arab world, Islam and U.S. Foreign Policy through the case study of Tunisia, an Arab country in North Africa that serves as the present-day embodiment of the Carthaginian Empire.
A unique combination of site visits, lectures by group leader Professor Peter J. Schraeder and guest presentations by renowned Tunisian scholars will focus on the politics of democratization in the Arab world, the role of women in Muslim societies, Arab perceptions of U.S. foreign policy, U.S. perceptions of Tunisia’s role in the global war on terrorism, and the history of Islam and the Roman Empire in North Africa.

The target audience for this trip is undergraduate students (graduate students can also take for graduate credit) who are interested in the Middle East and Islamic World Studies, African Studies, International Studies, United States Foreign Policy, Islamic Law, Arabic and French Languages, Cultural Anthropology, Classical Studies (Roman and Carthaginian Empires), the History, Politics and Theology of the Arab World and Islam, and International Business.

Maximum enrollment is 50 students.

Dates

May 16 to June 5, 2010

Program Costs

Program fee of $2,296 includes:

Shared occupancy in 4-5 star hotels
3 meals a day, including coffee/juice at breakfast and bottled mineral water at all meals and for all excursions
All in-country travel expenses (travel by a new Mercedes bus and 4x4 land rovers)
English-speaking Tunisian tour guide and local lecturers
Entrance fees to all sites included in the program, such as Roman and Carthaginian ruins, religious sites (Islamic Mosques, Catholic Churches and Jewish Temples), and museums
On-site program support
$100 Loyola Office for International Programs study abroad fee

Tuition: $1,815 (3 credit hours)

Total cost (program fee and tuition): $4,111

Not included: airfare (about $1,100 round-trip), optional travel and baggage insurance, and minor personal expenses. (Entry visas are not required for U.S. citizens.) All students will be required to purchase international health insurance separately. No vaccinations are required for this trip.

Application Process

Application deadline is March 22, 2010. Students are encouraged to apply well before the deadline as space is limited.

Applications must be submitted with a $100 non-refundable deposit (which goes towards program costs) and a copy of a valid passport or receipt of passport application.

Visit Apply Now for full application instructions.

For more information, contact Amye Day in the Office for International Programs at aday1@luc.edu or 773-508-2551; or contact Dr. Peter Schraeder in the Department of Political Science at pschrae@luc.edu.