Morocco Winter Study

January 3-24, 2005

Melissa Barry, Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Joe Cruz, Assistant Professor of Philosophy

HOSTED BY THE CENTER FOR CROSS-CULTURAL LEARNING, RABAT

 



Students in this course will spend winter study in Morocco. Morocco presents a compelling blend of historical influences and modern world currents. Threads of Islam, Arab traditions, and the heritage of the native Berber people are woven into a distinctive cultural tapestry, while traces of French colonialism can still be seen in the political and social structure. Morocco is at the intersection of the West, the Middle East, and Africa. Travel there is therefore a powerful way to introduce intellectual themes that require and reward a subtle blending of insight from history, political science, religion, and philosophy.

We will take the first steps in engaging some of these challenging topics in order to enable independent study facilitated by serious and multifaceted exposure to the country. For eight days, students will live with Moroccan families in the cosmopolitan capital of Rabat. We will gather daily for lectures, language instruction, and presentations. We will then visit the traditional center of Islamic learning, Fez on our way to a group trek through Berber villages and the Atlas Mountains. We will end our visit in legendary Marrakech.

ITINERARY

 

Rabat, Day 1

Students arrive at Mohamed V Airport
Transfer to Rabat, check in at hotel
Walk to Center for Cross Cultural Learning (CCCL), Orientation Session,
Dinner at CCCL

Rabat, Day 2

Lecture & Tour of Rabat
Program Orientation
Rabat, Day 3

Lecture: History of Morocco
Arabic Instruction

Rabat, Day 4

Lecture: Moroccan Cultural Identities
Lecture: Jewish History
Arabic Instruction
Performance: Traditional Moroccan Music

Rabat, Day 5 Lecture: Current Debates on Hijab
Lecture: Space and Gender Dynamics in Moroccan Architecture
Arabic Instruction
Lecture: Moudawanna
Rabat, Day 6

Lecture: Moroccan Politics
Lecture: Islamism
Arabic Instruction
Meet students of Mohamed V University

Rabat, Day 7 Lecture: Educational Systems in Morocco
Lecture: Moroccan Women Writers in Arabic
Arabic Instruction
Lecutre: Moroccan Sanctuaries
Meknes, Volubilis, & Fes, Day 8 Guided tour of Meknes
Picnic and field trip in Volubilis
Check in at hotel in Fes
Fes, Day 9 Tour and lecture: Daily Life in the Old Medina of Fes
Tour and lecture: Crafts in the Medina
Fes, Day 10 Lecture: Islamaphobia and the War Against Terrorism
Fes, Day 11 Lecture: Islamic Theology
Rissani, Day 12 Excursion
Merzouga, Day 13 Excursion and Camel Trek
Performance: Gnawa, the Sub Saharan Moroccan Music
Nkob, Day 14 Field trip to Hassi Labiad: The Irrigation system of Hassi Labiad
Hassi Labiad NGO
Anmiter, Day 15 Hiking in High Atlas Mountains
Marrakech, Day 16 Tour and lecture: Daily Lilfe in the Medina of Marrakech
Rabat, Day 17 Travel to Rabat
Rabat, Day 18 Aid holiday
Rabat, Day 19 Lecture: Mary in the Koran
Lecture: Social Movements in Morocco
Casablanca, Day 20 Field trip to Hassan II Mosque
Performance: Andalusiyyat Al-Assili (Andalusian music)
Casablanca, Day 21 Students travel from Mohammed V airport

 

Student Independent Research Projects

- The Veil:  Women in Islam  (Candice Corvetti)
- Imazighen: History and Discrimination (Anna Edmonds)
- The Prince of the Pro-Consuls?  Lyautey and French Colonial Theory in Morocco (Rachel Shalev)
- Mixing Religion and Politics:  Morocco, the Moudawana, and Womenıs Reform (Kianna Scott)
- The Worst of Both Worlds:  Education of Rural Moroccan Women (Magali Rowan)
- Bargaining in the Moroccan Marketplace (Noah Susskind)
- Judaism in Morocco (Marcus Duyzend)
- Transmition of Culture through Performance and Dance (Maurice Robinson)
- Morocco in Literature (Liz Pearce)
- A Description and Analysis of the Colonialization of Morocco until the Rise of a Mass Independence Movement in 1930 with the Arab-Berber Dahir (Ananda Burra)
- The Young, the Educated, and the Restless (Enyi-Abal Koene)
- Religious and Political Culture in Morocco (Joyia Chadwick)
- Morocco as an Islamic State (Simone Ciccel)
- Polygamy:  Past and Present (Becky Robinson)
- Separation of Space within Moroccan Society (Eze Ukaonu)



Photos from the trip