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January 11, 2012
Office of International Education Kuwait Study Abroad Program
Office of International Education Kuwait Study Abroad Program
Program Highlights
-Learn about economic, social and political issues in the Arab and Islamic world using Kuwait as a model
-Visit the Kuwait Parliament, other civil institutions, oil fields and oil companies, banks, the stock market and the University of Kuwait
-Learn about the historic political changes taking place in the Middle East
-Visit Kuwaiti families and get to know more about the Arab culture
-Experience the contrast of the vast desert and busy metropolis of Kuwait city
-No previous knowledge of Arabic required, if you have taken Arabic, this will be an ideal opportunity for you to practice
Program Location and Overview
Kuwait, located in the center of the Midde Eastern region, is an excellent country in which to learn about the culture, economy and politics of the Arab world. Kuwait relies on its plethora of oil reserves to maintain its rank as the fourth richest country in the world per capita. Its economy has taken off since the rebuilding began after the Persian Gulf War.
Kuwait City, where most of the program will take place, sits on the sea, attracting people wanting to visit the capital's museums, restaurants, and shopping centers. Modern construction is a result of the rebuilding and economic growth that Kuwait has experienced in the last decade. Its bordering nations include Iraq and Saudie Arabia, two other major oil producers in the Gulf.
Kuwait is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and an Arab and Islamic state. The country and program offers you the chance to enhance your understanding of the Middle East, its culture and politics. More importantly, given the United States' dependence on energy, the visit to Kuwait will help students appreciate the importance of oil, the global energy markets and the policy debate related to energy independence.
Academic Overview
Imagine yourself at a boardroom table with the owners of an international bank, or with the execs running one of the world's largest oil companies, or even the CEOs of a foreign aid development fund worth billions of dollars. This global Seminar will expose you to all of this and more.
The study of the Middle East and North African region is not complete without a visit to a country such as Kuwait. Cultural, political, as well as economic aspects of the region are better understood through interactions with officials, bankers, university faculty as well as students and Kuwaiti families. This program promises to greatly enhance students' understanding of the Arab and Islamic world while presenting the opportunity to tour and relax in the metrpolis of Kuwait City.
In Kuwait, the course will consist of lectures, site visits to financial institutions, universities, oil fields, etc. In addition to the planned visits, the class will meet five days a week for about two hours each day. All of the lectures in Kuwait will be conducted in English, covering a number of aspects of economic, religious, and political developments in the Middle East.
Students will hear from specialists in their fields through live video lectures from outside Kuwait. Last year's group heard about oil production and reserve issues from an expert at ARAMCO in Saudi Arabia.
Credits
6 credits: IAFS 3300
This course does not fulfill an A&S core requirement.
Program Staff
The program is directed by Professor Mohammed Akacem. Dr Akacem is Professor of Economics at Metropolitan State College of Denver and an Adjunct Professor of Economics at CU-Boulder. He has traveled and visited Kuwait on a number of occasions as well as spent two years in Saudi Arabia. He has also visited the UAE and Qatar. He has written both Op Ed articles and papers on the Middle East and North African political and economic issues.
Professor Akacem, along with staff from the study abroad office will help in selecting program participants. Prior to the trip, Professor Akacem will be available to advise and help students in choosing a topic of research and answer any questions that they may have. While in Kuwait, Professor Akacem will be assisted by an in-country contact who works to schedule the program visits.
Housing
Housing has been arranged at a hotel in Kuwait. The hotel is centrally located not far from the business district and many restaurants and shopping centers.
Elibility Requirements
-2.75 GPA
-Sophmore Class Standing
-ECON 1000 (Introduction to Economics) OR
-ECON 2020 (Principles of Macroeconomics)
Term
Early Summer
Length of Program
3 weeks
Application Deadline
February 15th
For more information please visit: http://studyabroad.colorado.edu/?go=KuwaitGS or contact Sarah.Westmoreland@colorado.edu
Posted by carijoy at January 11, 2012 11:33 AM
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