Historic sojourn to Israel is part of summer class at MTSU

MTSU is preparing to send students deep into the heart of centuries of world history.

This photo shows the sealed gate in the wall around the old city of Jerusalem, where an MTSU political science class will visit this summer. (Photo by Dr. Mark Byrnes)

This photo shows the sealed gate in the wall around the old city of Jerusalem, where an MTSU political science class will visit this summer. (Photos by Dr. Mark Byrnes)

April 1 is the deadline to sign up for a 10-day trip to Israel July 15-25, part of a summer 2013 class on “The Politics of Being ‘Israel’ from Abraham to Modern Democracy.”

Dr. Karen Petersen

“The course is broadly defined as Israeli politics with emphasis on conflict in the region and the relationship between the U.S. and Israel,” said Dr. Karen Petersen, assistant dean of MTSU’s College of Liberal Arts and a professor of political science

Petersen, liberal arts dean Dr. Mark Byrnes and Israeli historian Ronny Simon will lead approximately 20 students on tour stops to include Tel Aviv, the Sea of Galilee, the Mount of Beatitudes, the Western Wall, the Jordan River area and several sites in Jerusalem.

“This trip provides students an outstanding opportunity to learn about the culture and history of Israel, which obviously plays a key role in one of the most politically dynamic regions of the world,” Byrnes said.

Petersen said some students already enrolled are traveling to examine Israel in a larger political context, while others are going because of their Christian faith.

Dr. Mark Byrnes

This photo shows the Dome of the Rock, an Islamic temple in Jerusalem that Muslims believe was the site of Muhammad’s “Night Journey” miracle.

“I hope what they see is this disconnect between what they see in the U.S. media and what’s actually happening on the ground,” Petersen said.

The ballpark figure for the cost of the trip to Israel is $4,200, which includes airfare, lodging, ground transportation, tips, entrance fees and two meals a day.

Scholarships are available through the Office of Education Abroad.

Scholarship information can be obtained at www.mtsu.edu/~mtabroad or by calling 615-898-5179.

For more information about the class, contact Petersen at 615-494-8662 or karen.petersen@mtsu.edu, or Byrnes at 615-898-2351 or mark.byrnes@mtsu.edu.

— Gina K. Logue (gina.logue@mtsu.edu)