Duke Middle East in Europe (Berlin & Istanbul)
A 4-WEEK SUMMER PROGRAM IN POLITICS AND CULTURE
Program Alert
The Duke Middle East in Europe program will not run in Summer 2023, but plans to relaunch in Summer 2024. Program details will be updated before applications open in November 2023.
An Examination of Political and Cultural Legacies between Europe and the Middle East
Apply NowTaught in English
This four-week, one-credit program, examines and rethinks the relations between Europe and the Middle East (ME). Within an interdisciplinary and interregional framework that includes policy and popular culture, the program excavates the political and cultural legacies of Europe in the ME as well as the ME in Europe. Our goal is to create an undergraduate learning community around historical and current geopolitical issues that address the plight of Muslims in and on the periphery of Europe, particularly Turks in Germany and Syrian refugees in Türkiye. Berlin and Istanbul provide the two urban locales for the program. The director of the 2022 summer program will be Erdağ Göknar (PI, AMES).
The first three weeks of the program will be held in Berlin and the last week will be held in Istanbul, Türkiye.
PROGRAM FAST FACTS
Location: Berlin, Germany and Istanbul, Türkiye
Term: Summer II
Dates: July 4, 2022 - July 31, 2022
Application Deadline: Extended to March 1st
Academic Theme(s): The Middle East in Europe, Politics and Culture, Public Policy, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
Credit Type: Duke Credit
Eligibility: No prerequisites. Knowledge of German and Turkish is not required. Non-Duke students are welcome to apply.
Duke Affiliation: Duke Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
· Housing: Efficiency Apartments in Berlin, Hotels in Istanbul
GEO Advising: Request an appointment
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Group at Bundestag
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Berlin, Germany
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Middle East in Europe 2018 students
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Kiron students
ACADEMICS
All participants enroll in one course, which carries one Duke credit. No pass/fail option or auditing is permitted for the course.
Course Description
Politics and Culture Between Europe and the Middle East
AMES 381SA/HISTORY 378SA/ICS 225SA/PUBPOL 386SA
(CCI, CZ)
1.0 credit Professor: Erdağ Göknar (PI, AMES)
What is the history of Islamic polities in European contexts? Why are Muslim migrants and refugees considered an ongoing political and cultural issue in the region? How does the outlook and understanding of these issues change when considered from the perspective of Istanbul? This seminar introduces students to intersections of politics and culture between Europe and the Middle East by examining historical and contemporary European contexts of Islam and Muslim “integration” from the late Ottoman Empire to the present. Ongoing issues of Islamophobia will inform our discussions of refugees, minorities, and Muslim populations. The program will furthermore draw on a variety of urban experiences and the international expertise of scholars in Berlin and Istanbul. Discussions will have a theoretical focus, including work by cultural critics and policy experts.
EXCURSIONS
The program includes weekly activities in Berlin, as well as excursions to other German and European cities such as Hamburg, Leipzig, and Amsterdam. Other activities will include visits with immigration NGOs and organizations as well as guest speakers. The last week of the program will be spent in Istanbul, Türkiye.
HOUSING & MEALS
You’ll share apartments with kitchen facilities with other program participants in groups of 2-4 students per apartment. Apartments are located in central Berlin. You will cook your own meals in the apartments, and eat local food at nearby restaurants and cafés. Some group meals will also be part of the program.
In Istanbul, students will be housed in a centrally located hotel.
COSTS
Estimates are based on previous years’ programs and the current exchange rate. All costs are subject to change.
Summer 2022
| Duke Students | Non-Duke Students | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $2,600 | $2,600 |
| Program Fee | $4,800 | $4,800 |
| Transcript Fee | N/A | $120 |
| Other Costs | Other Costs | Other Costs |
| TOTAL (Estimated) | $11,690 | $11,810 |
Explanation of Costs
The program fee for this program includes:
- Accommodations
- Some meals
- International SOS Coverage
- Program-sponsored activities and excursions
- On-site orientation program
- Internet and wifi access
What is not included?
Use the following list to assist with budgeting for expenses outside the program fee. This list contains common examples but should not be considered exhaustive.
- Airfare
- Some meals
- On-site accident and health insurance policy
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Immunizations
- Visa and/or residency permit (if needed)
- Passport
- Textbooks and class materials
- Mobile phone or cell phone plan for Europe
- Independent travel and entertainment
- Laundry
- Items of a personal nature
- Incidentals
U.S. citizens do not need a visa for this program. However, if you are not a U.S. citizen, you may need a visa. Please be sure to research the cost of obtaining a visa for Italy, including any required travel to a consulate or embassy.
If you receive financial aid, and need assistance with travel costs, please contact your financial aid counselor.
Personal expenses can fluctuate greatly depending upon habits and preferences of the individual. It’s also wise to budget for unexpected expenses such as medical emergencies. You can use a cost-of-living comparison tool to get an idea of what daily life costs in the program host location.
Step 1: Upon acceptance to the program, you must submit the Summer Participation Agreement found in your MyExperientialEd application to confirm your enrollment. A parent/guardian’s co-signature is required. This form takes the place of a deposit.
NOTE: If you withdraw after March 15, you will be charged a cancellation fee for voluntary withdrawal. Fees range from $1,500-2,000.
Step 2: Summer invoices will be sent via email to your Duke email address and home email address. Remit payment to the Bursar per due date and address indicated on your online statement. Consult the Duke Bursar's office billing schedule for payment due dates.
Financial Aid
Duke students receiving institutional need-based grant aid are eligible for aid for this program; work-study funds are converted to grants. Students are individually responsible for making the necessary arrangements with the Karsh Office of Undergraduate Financial Support and the Duke Bursar’s Office.
Non-Duke students are not eligible to receive financial aid at Duke and should contact their home institutions for financial aid information.
DATES
Attendance is required at all classes, excursions, and group events. Given the intense nature of this program, late arrival and/or early departure is not permitted.
- Arrival (in Berlin): July 4, 2022
- Departure (from Istanbul): July 31, 2022
Flights
You will make your own travel arrangements to and from the program site. You are expected to arrive on the arrival date cited above, which usually means departing the U.S. one day prior. Once you have a flight itinerary, log in to MyExperientialEd to update your travel registry.
Housing Before/After
You will need to make your own housing arrangements if you will be arriving before the program start date or leaving later than the program end date.
VISA & PASSPORT
VISA
No visa is required of U.S. citizens to participate in this program. Non-U.S. citizens should pay special attention to the visa requirements for their specific citizenship by contacting the country embassy to find out if any visa restrictions are in effect.
PASSPORT
All participants must have a valid passport. Make sure your passport has at least six months of validity beyond the program end date to avoid unintended disruptions. For instructions on obtaining or renewing your U.S. passport, visit passports.state.gov.
International Student Identity Card
An International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is optional. ISIC is the only internationally recognized form of student ID, endorsed by UNESCO. If purchased in the U.S., the card also carries with it a supplemental insurance policy, which can prove to be very helpful in the event of serious injury. You may purchase this card through www.myisic.com. Processing of the card takes between 4-15 days.
PROGRAM FACULTY & STAFF
Program faculty director(s) can assist with questions related to program academics, admissions, on-site needs, etc. For all other inquiries, please contact the GEO representative listed.
ADMISSIONS
Deadline: Extended to March 1st
This program has rolling admission. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis until the program fills; after that, qualified students are added to a waitlist and notified of openings. Applications must be received by the deadline to be considered. Application opens November 1.
Priority: Priority is given to applicants who apply early.
Minimum GPA: There is no minimum GPA.
Non-Duke students: Non-Duke students are welcome to apply for this program. You must be a degree-seeking student in good standing at an accredited college or university. Consult your university’s registrar and/or study away advisor for assistance with transfer credit. Students who are not matriculated at a college or university are not eligible to participate in Duke’s study away programs.
GEO policy for graduating seniors who wish to apply for a Duke summer study abroad/away program:
Students must be active, matriculated students in order to participate in any Duke-in summer programs, including Duke’s domestic summer programs. All program courses must be taken for graded credit. If seniors plan to graduate in May of the year they plan to study abroad in the summer, they will not be eligible to participate on any of our summer programs unless they receive approval from their academic dean at Duke to delay their graduation until after the summer program has ended.
Non-Duke students planning to graduate in May in the year they plan to study abroad in the summer must provide approval to delay their graduation until after the summer program has ended from the appropriate official at their home institution. Such approval must be furnished in writing to GEO before the student will be allowed to participate in the summer program. This approval may be sent via email to the appropriate program assistant at GEO.
Duke students who defer their graduation to participate in study abroad should consult with their financial aid advisor in the Duke Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid to determine whether they are eligible for a summer aid package and/or a GEO summer scholarship.
APPLY
Start your application early to ensure that it is complete by the deadline! Incomplete applications will not be forwarded to the program directors for consideration.
Submit the following items using MyExperientialEd:
- Online application
- Official transcript(s) from all colleges and universities attended. First-year students should wait for fall semester grades to be posted before submitting their transcript.
- Personal statement, no longer than one page, explaining why you would like to participate
- Academic letter of recommendation (one)
STUDENT STORIES
GEO ADVISING IS HERE FOR YOU
Get advice on choosing a program, exploring courses and credits, and covering the costs of study away when you engage the Global Education Office's advising network.