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With funding from the U.S. Department of State/Bureau of Economic
and Cultural Affairs, the American Center of Oriental Research
(ACOR) in Amman, Jordan, in coordination with the Council of
American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC) and the Council of
Independent Colleges (CIC), hosted a seminar entitled Teaching
about Islam and Middle Eastern Culture. The seminar (December
28, 2004-January 18, 2005) included an intensive lecture program,
home visits and tours to numerous cultural sites in Jordan. The purpose of seminar is to introduce the
12 participants, all professors from small U.S. colleges and
universities, to Islam and the Middle East so that they incorporate
these topics into their lectures back home. It is anticipated
that the insight they gain from the lectures, home visits,
and tours will allow them to accurately lecture on Jordan and
the Middle East, dispelling any stereotypes and myths that
might exist. The aim of this program is to increase the pool
of academic experts on the Middle East in the U.S. and to increase
understanding of the region among American students.
Immediately after the conclusion of the
conference, one participant remarked: "I am truly grateful
for the program. It has had a rich impact on my perspectives,
and I am certain it will have a positive impact also upon
the other areas of my professional life. Thank you for that."
The 12 participants include:
Robert Dash, Willamette University, OR
Paul Hanson, California Lutheran University, CA
Charles Guthrie, University of Indianapolis, IN
Philip Wittman, Carroll College of Montana, MT
Faith Childress, Rockhurst University, MO
David Davis, Millsaps College, MS
Darla Schumm, Hollins University, VA
James Lazenby, Gwynedd-Marcy College, PA
Michael Lodahl, Point Loma Nazarene University, CA
Julie Perry, Thomas More College, KY
Debra Picci, Franklin Pierce College, NH
Gary Scudder, Champlain College, VT |
