Courses I'll be taking at JUC:)

For those who wanna know just what I will be studying at Jerusalem University College, here's my tentative course list for Spring Semester 2012:

5/311 Physical Settings of the Bible

A study of the physical features of the land of the Bible, stressing geographical

factors affecting settlement and communication in the various regions.

Readings, preparatory map study, and lectures provide the background for

field trips. Relevant archaeological, historical and biblical material is

correlated with sites, roads, and features in each region, but the main emphasis

of the course is geography. Regions studied and visited include Galilee, Golan

Heights, Judah, Samaria, Negev, Shephelah, Jordan and Jezreel Valleys,

Benjamin, Sharon Plain, Philistia, and in Transjordan, Gilead, Ammon, the

Medaba Plateau, Moab, and Edom.

5/345 Jewish Thought and Practice

An examination of modern Jewish beliefs and practices with an emphasis on

their development throughout the ages. Topics include prayer, holidays, life

cycle, views regarding the Messiah and streams in Judaism. Includes field

trips.

5/348 Classical Islamic Thought and the Modern Middle East

A study of trends in Islamic thought as they developed in the Middle Ages and

exist today, including aspects of the Koran, theology, law, political thought,

mysticism, and modern religious and nationalist movements. Includes field

trips.

5/363 Historical and Social Settings of Modern Israel

A study of the history and society of modern Israel, with special emphasis on

social and political movements, institutions, settlements and neighborhoods.

Includes field trips.

The Zion Gate

This is a picture of the Zion Gate, which is located on the south-western side of the old city . It is one of the gates that lead to the Jewish quarter and to the Western Wall.  In the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the Palmach (Israelis) gained control of the Jewish Quarter via the Zion Gate. The stones surrounding the gate were pockmarked by weapons fire and bullet holes that are still visible today. This gate faces the hill called Mount Zion, and 500 yards away is the entrance to Jerusalem University College. I am planning to go in and out of this gate often!

Jerusalem University College photo

Here's a pic of Mount Zion and of Jerusalem University College, which will be my home from Jan.25th - May 3rd, 2012. You can click on the photo to see it larger. In the top left corner, you see the walls of the old city.  The church with the tower, the highest point in the photo, is Dormition Abbey, the site of David's tomb and the Upper Room. Just below that, the structure you see is Jerusalem University College where I will be studying.