Wake Forest University Program in Fez, Morocco

 

Location

Morocco is a country of many contrasts, where centuries-old traditions and modern technology are at the heart of dynamic and hospitable culture. From the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the medieval cities of Marrakesh and Fez with their famous souks (markets), to the high-rise financial district of Casablanca, from the mountains and desert of the interior to the long stretches of coastal beaches, from the couscous and tajines to every kind of European cuisine, Morocco offers its visitors the unique example of a country whose deeply rooted cultural values have accommodated ideas and practices of its European neighbors.

Wake Forest University's Fez Summer Program is based at the Arabic Language Institute in Fez (ALIF). The Institute is housed in a large Moorish-style villa situated in a residential neighborhood and is within easy walking distance of shops, restaurants, and cafes. ALIF has a specialized library, a collection of Arabic films, a satellite television, and a computer center with e-mail access.

The WFU/Morocco program is offered on alternating years with the WFU/Egypt program.

Duration

Summer Session I, May 27 - July 5, 2013

Academic Program
A Wake Forest faculty member serves as resident professor in Fez to oversee program academics. Courses taught by resident professor and professors at ALIF to include 6 hours of either Arabic or French and one 3-hour course from the resident professor's discipline. Academic study is enriched by a cultural immersion experience through homestays with Moroccan families and various excursions. 

Language course offerings will be Beginning Arabic, Intermediate Arabic, or Intermediate French. In addition to the language course, students can also take Moroccan Arabic for an extra fee. Students receive 3 hours of Wake Forest credit for the area studies course and 6 hours of transfer credit for the intensive language course. Non-Wake Forest students who are applying for this program are encouraged to contact the Center for International Studies regarding how the courses are transcripted.

The 2013 summer Wake Forest resident professor will be Remi Lanzoni from the Romance Languages department. Professor Lanzoni will teach HMN 224 Cross-cultural Encounters in Morocco

HMN 224. Cross-cultural Encounters in Morocco. (3h) Interdisciplinary study of Moroccan culture, both past and present, and an introduction to a country whose history and geo-political situation are unique within the Arab region. Group excursions to sites of cultural and historic significance. Offered in Fez, Morocco, during the summer session.

This course will focus on the history and culture of Morocco & North Africa in general; covering the pre-Islamic period to the present.  Students will examine some of the political, social and cultural changes that transformed North Africa, especially since the creation of the Modern nation-state, the impact of industrialization on different social groups, the independence of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia and their respective post colonization era. Finally particular attention will be given to the cultural contributions of the "Maghreb" mainly through cinema and documentary films, but also literature, and music.  Though a modern region in every sense of the word today, North Africa remains geographically diverse with many different traditions and regional dialects.  By studying the formation of modern Maghreb, students can learn with also a non-Western perspective a great deal about geography, politics and culture.  Group excursions to sites of cultural and historic significance will be organized. Throughout the six-week program, each student will be asked to keep a journal addressing not only the student's activities in Fez, but especially the intellectual, cultural, and personal growth that the experience opens for the student. No previous training in French, Arabic or Film studies is required. Students' analytical and critical skills will be thoroughly solicited.

Excursions and Cultural Activities
Excursions may include weekend trips to the following places:
*Meknes, Volubilis, Moulay Idriss
*Middle Atlas (Azrou, Um al-Rabi'a)
*Desert excursion (overnight)
*Rabat (overnight)

There is a planned 4-day excursion to Marrakesh, Essaouira, and Casablanca at the end of the program. Cities are subject to change.

Accommodations
Students are matched with homestay families in Fez according to the language they choose to study. Students stay in hotels during the various excursions.

Costs
The total cost of summer study abroad can be broken down into four categories: 
*Program Fee - Usually covers room, in-country travel, excursions, some meals and other costs associated with the program.
*Tuition – Students on WFU summer programs pay WFU summer school tuition per credit hour. The 2013 summer rate is $880/per credit hour.
*Airfare (estimated) – Varies per location. Students are responsible for their own airfare unless otherwise noted.
*Personal Expenses (estimated) – These will vary depending on the students' spending habits, cost of living in the destination country, and the number of meals included in the program fee. This may also include visa fees, vaccinations, academic supplies/books and other miscellaneous daily expenses.

Program Fee - $3,126
Tuition (3hrs) - $2,640
Airfare (estimated) ~ $1,800
Personal Expenses (estimated) ~ $1,000
Estimated total cost - $8,566

Dr. Michaelle Browers, Program Director & Professor of Political Science

Phone: (336) 758 3535

E-mail: browerm@wfu.edu

Arabic Language Institute Website: www.alif-fes.com