Spain & Morocco
Exploring the Coexistence and Challenges of Neighboring Cultures
May 25–June 5, 2008
Itinerary
This 12-day seminar begins and ends in Seville, Spain and includes: Cordoba (Spain), Algeciras, Tangier, Asilah, Rabat, Chefchaouen, and Ceuta (Morocco).
Seminar Fee
CIEE Member: $2,950 Non-Member: $3,150
Academic Content
Lectures
- Historic and Cultural Links between North Africa and Southern Spain
- History of the Muslim Presence in Spain
- Coexistence of Muslims, Jews, and Christians in the Caliphate of Cordoba
- Immigration and the Moroccan Immigrant Experience in Contemporary Spain
- Cultural Diversity, Women's Rights, and Education in Today’s Morocco
- Moroccan Society and Conduct—The Relation of Religion and State
- Cultural Diversity in Morocco—Arabic, Berber, Jewish, and European Influences
- How Moroccan Women Writers Address Social Issues
- The Situation in Poor Urban and Rural Areas and the Practical Impact of Globalization on Morocco
- Moroccan Perspectives on Development Priorities, Progress, and International Aid
Co-curricular Site Visits & Field Trips
- Seville and Cordoba City Tours
- DARNA (Women’s Training and Empowerment Center)
- Asilah, Rabat, and Chefchaouen City Tours
- LANGCOM: Center for Cross Cultural Studies in Rabat
- Ain Baida Mountain Village
- Local Development Association in Chefchaouen
- Rif Mountains and Akchour Canyon
- Meetings with Local Families and Students
Rationale
In our current world climate there is symbolic meaning to crossing the Straight of Gibraltar, 12 miles which separates Africa and Europe, Morocco and Spain, the Muslim and Western worlds. This seminar explores the links between Morocco and Spain on a variety of levels: the rich cultural
and historic heritage from the Al Andalus era, the intersection of the “developing” and “developed” world, and the global impact of terrorism and increasing animosity between historically Muslim and Christian societies. This seminar seeks to make connections with Spanish and Moroccan faculty to discuss the relevant issues of diversity and co-existence, religious and cultural pluralism, history, globalization, economic inequalities, and immigration. Morocco is an appealing destination due to its cultural, ethnic, and geographical richness combined with its safety, good infrastructure, and openness towards the West. In Morocco, participants experience the intersection of Islamic, African, Indigenous, and Western cultures within a safe and open framework.
Host Institutions
The CIEE Study Center in Seville was founded in 1971 and is one of the largest and longest running CIEE Study Centers. It is host to six semester-long programs and two summer programs. The CIEE Study Center is located in a beautifully renovated Sevillano palace dating back to 1725 in the old Jewish Quarter of Seville, known as Barrio Santa Cruz.
The seminar is co-hosted in Morocco by LangCom and Morocco Exchange. LangCom’s objectives include the enhancement of understanding among nations and peoples through engaging scholars and students in meaningful dialogue and exchange of ideas. LangCom organizes national and international colloquia on translation, transfer of knowledge, and intercultural communication. Morocco Exchange is a non-profit organization that works in collaboration with the LangCom Center in Rabat, Morocco. Morocco Exchange facilitates educational exchange programs for U.S. college students.
Seminar Leadership
The seminar co-leaders are Morgan Reiss and Arnd Wächter. Morgan Reiss has worked with the CIEE Study Center in Seville for ten years. She has an MA from the University of Essex (UK) in Human Rights Law. Her main area of academic research is general immigration patterns and trends in Europe, with special emphasis on Moroccans and sub-Saharan Africans in Spain. She currently teaches a course on Social Justice and Human Rights. Arnd Wächter is the Founder of Morocco Exchange. He completed his MA in Religious Studies and Post-Graduate Certificate in Education at London University. He has taught World Religions, Cross Cultural Education, and German in the UK, Japan, New Zealand, Morocco, and Spain.
Professor A. Zaki, the academic host in Morocco, is on the faculty of the Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, and has chaired its Dept. of Languages and Communication. He earned his Ph.D. and post-doctoral Habilitation in Linguistics from Sidi Mohamed ben Abdellah University (Morocco). He has conducted research and evaluations for Moroccan Ministries, US-AID, UNESCO, UNICEF, and the World Bank. His most recent publications include: Reflections on the Formation of Stereotypes, Attitudes and Opinions on Islam and Arabs.
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