Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies

General Information

1. The Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies is an educational and cultural center created for study in the Near East, emphasizing religion, the humanities, and the social sciences. The Jerusalem Center has four principal goals:

   • Provide students an opportunity to study the scriptures in the setting in which the patriarchs, prophets, and the Lord himself lived and taught, and by that study to gain understanding of and commitment to the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

   • Expand students' understanding of the religions, cultures, history, archaeology, geography, languages, and politics of the ancient and modern Near East.

   • Foster research and creative endeavors by BYU faculty, students, and visiting scholars.

   • Promote understanding with other peoples, cultures, and religious faiths that trace their roots to the Holy Land.

2. To achieve these goals, the Jerusalem Center offers a core curriculum with courses in the Old and New Testament and in the ancient and modern Near East. In addition, the center provides specialized courses in archaeology, geography, history, and culture of the Near East, including language study in Hebrew and Arabic.

3. The Jerusalem Center has marvelous physical facilities on Mount Scopus overlooking the oldest part of the city of Jerusalem. Classrooms, a library, a learning center, auditoriums, student and faculty apartments, a gymnasium and conditioning room, and a cafeteria provide a complete learning environment.

Academic Program

1. Calendar and Program Emphasis. Five programs are offered during the calendar year, scheduled to approximate the Provo campus calendar: fall and winter semesters (four-month programs), spring term (two-month program), and two summer terms (two-month programs).
   • The fall and winter semester programs are designed for students who are currently enrolled at a college or university seeking their first undergraduate degree. Most of the courses offered are at the upper-division level. Students are encouraged to prepare themselves in advance for this exceptional experience by taking such courses as PlSc 170, Geog 120, Hist 300, 302, Arab 101, Heb 101.

   • The fall and winter programs include field trips within the Holy Land and to Jordan, Sinai, and Egypt.

   • The spring and summer term programs are open to students who are currently enrolled in a college or university seeking their first undergraduate degree. Recent high school graduates with the intention of pursuing a degree at a college or university are eligible to enroll during summer term. Both lower- and upper-division survey courses with extensive field study are available.

2. Predeparture Orientation Course. This Independent Study course (NES 100) is taken the semester or term before a student's work at the Jerusalem Center.

3. Curriculum. The following subject areas are taught at the center:
   • Biblical Studies: Old Testament and New Testament
   • Ancient Near Eastern Studies
   • Modern Near Eastern Studies
   • Introductory course in either Hebrew or Arabic (required during fall and winter semesters; not offered during spring or summer terms).
   • Elective courses in biblical studies, ancient and modern Near Eastern Studies, and archaeology as arranged each semester.

   Note: Some courses taken at the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies may be applied toward degrees in Near Eastern Studies, International Relations, and other majors in the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences. Students should contact their advisement centers concerning specific degree requirements.

4. Special Programs Offered Periodically at the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies. These programs include intensive modern Arabic, intensive modern Hebrew, and nursing.

Jerusalem Center

Undergraduate Courses

Courses offered at the Jerusalem Center are not offered on the Provo campus and hence cannot be retaken.

Orientation Course

NES 100. Jerusalem Center Orientation. (1:2:0) Prerequisite: application for a Jerusalem Center foreign study program.

Readings in the New Testament in Hebrew translation. Offered at the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies only.

Note: Heb 312 (Hebrew Media), Heb 313, Heb 411R (Advanced Conversation), and Heb 421 are offered in the intensive modern Hebrew program. Arab 312 (Arabic Media) and 411R (Advanced Conversation) are offered in the intensive modern Arabic program. The intensive Hebrew and Arabic programs are offered alternate years during the winter program only.

Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies Faculty

Resident Faculty

Nazzal, Nafez Y., Professor of Near Eastern Studies (Jerusalem Center)

In addition, faculty members on professional development leave from the following academic areas at Brigham Young University are selected for up to one-year teaching appointments at the Jerusalem Center: Religious Education, Near Eastern Studies, History, Political Science, and foreign languages. Faculty members are also selected from the Church Educational System, Ricks College, and BYU–Hawaii. Faculty members are expected to pursue an approved program of research, writing, and travel in addition to teaching courses.

Special Programs Faculty

Faculty members on professional development leave from Brigham Young University are also selected for teaching appointments in special programs at the Jerusalem Center: Arabic, Hebrew, and nursing.

Scholars in Residence

Selected faculty from Brigham Young University are associated with the Jerusalem Center during a one-semester to one-year stay in Jerusalem through a scholar-in-residence program. Scholars in residence can be appointed from a wide range of academic areas at the university.

Back

Catalog Homepage

BYU Homepage

Please report any errors to web_ugrad_cat@byu.edu