REEE 244 - Georgia: The Crossroad of Civilizations

FC ARHU CD

4 credits
This is a June block course that will take place in the Republic of Georgia. It offers students a three and a half week immersive engagement with a unique culture at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Using Georgia as a case study, we will explore the following questions, among others: What allows a small nation to sustain a strong sense of identity despite the constant threat of being subsumed by neighboring empires? What role do literature and other arts play in building identity? How do the opposing forces shaping the life of a nation (such as religious conservatism vs. Western liberalism) interact and possibly lead to a productive dialogue? Based in the country’s capital, Tbilisi, students will participate in a rich academic program of lectures, discussions, and field trips while simultaneously interning according to their interests at a range of organizations and institutions (libraries, museums, NGOs etc.). In English. Accommodation with host families. Approximate cost $5000 (includes airfare). Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Field trip(s) required.