Program Information

JMU Intensive Arabic in Jordan
Amman, Jordan
June 20-July 25

Background
      James Madison University's Intensive Arabic in Jordan is sponsored by its Office of International Programs and directed by Dr. David Hollenberg, Department of Philosophy and Religion. Dr. Hollenberg has taught first and second year intensive Arabic at the University of Pennsylvania. Presently, he teaches courses on Islam in the Department of Philosophy and Religion at James Madison University. He has lived and traveled in the Arab world extensively, and in Jordan twice.

     David Hollenberg will write syllabi for and supervise all classes and do the final grades in conjunction with the teachers; the courses will be  taught by experienced instructors from the al-Qasid Institute.  (For information about al-Qasid, see their site at http://www.qasid.com/.)  JMU's "Arabic Intensive in Jordan" is a fully accredited, JMU program; students will pay all fees to JMU, and credits will appear on their transcripts, just as if they were enrolled in courses on JMU's campus. 

     The focus of the program will the the Arabic language.  After a three-day orientation, students will be in class four hours a day, five days a week.   There will in addition be two trips organized by the program:  a day trip to Mt. Nebo (a beautiful site from which Moses saw the promised land) and an overnight trip to Petra and Wadi Rum, one of the most magnificent sites in the Arab world. 


Credits: 6
Levels: All Levels of Arabic, from beginning to advanced, will be taught. Students will be placed in their appropriate level based on a placement exam the first day of class. Classes will will meet for 4 hours a day, 5 days a week. We will be using the same books and other materials used at JMU. 

Class Size   Classes will not exceed 10 students.
Accommodation   Students will reside in apartments near al-Qasid.
Program Fee    2,900  Program Cost fee + 6 credit hours (see below for details)

Application Deadline:March 1st.
Application:  See http://www.jmu.edu/international/abroad/jmu_yemen/index.shtml
Size of program:  Not more than 15 students
Other deadlines:
Students who are accepted into the program will be asked to reserve their space by paying a non-refundable 500 dollar deposit due March 1st.
Contact information of director
hollendb@jmu.edu


Costs
Total Program cost paid to JMU covers instruction (6 credits plus program fee of 2,900 dollars), accommodation, trips, and any mandatory lectures/guest lectures/tours sponsored by the program.

Total Costs paid to be paid to JMU
 In state      =       1578 (for 6 credit course) plus 2,900 (program fee) = 4478    
 Out of state =     4434 (for 6 credit course) plus 2900 (program fee) =  7334      

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Additional Costs  

Airfare:  Each student will be responsible for arranging his or her own plane ticket to 'Amman.  

Visa:  Visas can be obtained at the airport for 15 dollars, and extended once in Jordan.  Although the program will not sponsor an organized trip to Syria, I would be happy to bring interested students there one weekend if there is interest (it is a 3 hour taxi ride to Damascus).  If you might want to take advantage of this opportunity, *I highly recommend applying for a Visa for visiting Syria as soon as possible* as it can be difficult or impossible to attain this Visa from the Syrian embassy in Jordan.

Food:  Except for a few group meals, students will be responsible for their own meals.  There is ample inexpensive food near the school.  Students wishing to save money can cook and prepare food at home.  Ten dollars a day is likely more than sufficient if you plan to eat out a lot. 

Cab-fare/bus fare:  You will not need to take cabs/buses to get to school, I would budget 5-7 dollars a day for cab fare.  If you learn the bus system (not a terribly difficult task), this can be cut to 1 dollar a day.

Work out facilities:  Qasid is located in Sports City; accordingly, there are a number of gyms, swimming pools, tennis and racquetball courts that accommodate both men and women. There is a Gold’s Gym 10-15 minutes away by taxi, although you will probably get plenty of exercise just walking up and down the hilly streets.  I do not know the cost for joining these gyms.