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Maryland-in-Haifa Academic Overview

This overview provides information about the academic structure of the Maryland-in-Haifa program.

Academic Structure

You will be enrolled in 12-17 credits.  All classes are taught at the University of Haifa campus with the exception of the online course, Connecting Across Cultures. The curriculum is comprised of the following:

Course Credits Notes
ISRL 369I or GVPT 309I: Socio-Economic, Political,
Religious, and Ethnic Conflicts in Israel, and the
Search for Common Ground (required)		 3 Taught by Faculty Director Edy Kaufman
Elective course 3-14 Taught at University of Haifa
 

Course Descriptions

See Approved Maryland-In Haifa Courses.
Please also check the International School of Haifa Course Offerings.

The descriptions below provide details on each course grouping in the table above.

Hebrew or Arabic Language
Hebrew language classes are offered for beginning to advanced levels, while Modern Standard Arabic is offered at the elementary and intermediate level. There is also a Spoken Arabic course at the elementary level. Language study is optional.
 
Please note that UMD credit will only be granted for language courses taken at or above level of Hebrew or Arabic already received at UMD. Credit will not be awarded for repeated courses or courses at a level lower than that already received at UMD. Placement in specific levels cannot be guaranteed by UMD. For additional information on this policy, please refer to the UMD Academic Catalogue.
 
Socio-Economic, Political, Religious, and Ethnic Conflicts in Israel, and the Search for Common Ground
This required course taught by Faculty Director Edy Kaufman is an in-depth seminar which explores the roots of societal and identity driven conflicts, and the efforts to bridge the gaps. Students will research conflicts occurring within Israel as well as issues affecting the country on an international scale
including: Arab and Jewish relations, conflicts between the religious and secular populations, ethnic identities (Russian, Ethiopian, etc.),c enter/periphery (socio-economic cleavages), Zionism and post- Zionism, gender issues (women and sexual orientation), Palestinian  rights, and peace-building across borders.
 
Elective Courses
Students will choose from a variety of elective courses within a wide array of academic disciplines.  These include courses in Communications, Economics, English, Government and Politics, History, Jewish Studies, Law, Literature, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology.  All courses are taught in English unless otherwise specified. Most courses have been pre-approved for Maryland credit, while some will need to be evaluated by your academic advisor to determine how they will count towards your degree.
 
Course Meeting Times
Hebrew courses meet four times a week from Monday – Thursday.  The classes meet in the morning and each session lasts two academic hours (one academic hour = 45 minutes). Modern Standard Arabic meets three days a week in the morning for two academic hours each day.
 
All other courses meet once a week for three academic hours in the afternoons. Courses require a research paper or mid-term examination and a final examination. Students are permitted to audit courses, but audited courses will not count towards the required minimum of credits that students must take.
 
Students who are proficient in Hebrew may also register for courses in other departments of the University of Haifa. The International School will assist in registration for these courses. Students who select courses in other departments should note that the semester schedule of the University is not always the same as the schedule of the International School. Therefore, if you intend to take courses offered through other departments you must be available to stay on campus for the duration of the course.

Internships

Maryland in Haifa students may enroll in an internship that includes an academic component (required readings, reports, reflection and research paper) as well as a minimum of 135 hours on site over the course of the semester for three credits.  Internships are arranged by University of Haifa and include many options such as shadowing a physician, working with organization committed to furthering Arab- Jewish relations, social justice issues in Israel, and interning at businesses and local hi-tech companies. Depending on your interests and experience, other options may be possible.  The Resident Director, Dr. Edy Kaufman, collaborates with the University of Haifa for the academic oversight of the internship. Students who are interested in receiving credit for the internships should consult with Education Abroad.
 
A lot can be gained from an internship abroad in Haifa. An internship in Israel is a way to create international contacts that could be of assistance to you with your future professional goals. It is also a great way to later distinguish you as a job applicant; having an internship in Israel is not something all students are able to say they have done. We encourage all Haifa students to consider this opportunity.
 
If you are planning an Internship, consider organizing your class schedule so that you have 1-2 days free each week to devote to your assigned organization. Israeli institutions generally prefer interns that can work for larger blocks of time rather than a few hours over several days.

Intensive Hebrew Winter Ulpan

All Maryland-In Haifa students have the option of participating in the Intensive Hebrew Winter Ulpan for an additional fee and separate application. Please see the budget sheet on the homepage for more information on additional costs. The Ulpan brings students from around the world to the University of Haifa to study Hebrew. The Ulpan is designed for those who want to immerse themselves in an intensive language acquisition experience that is personally enriching as well as academically demanding. Instruction is offered at all levels from beginning to advanced. You should notify Education Abroad soon after being accepted if you are interested in the Ulpan.
 
Winter Uplan Academics
Classes are held Sundays through Thursdays in the mornings for five academic hours per day. In addition to learning through textbooks, classes will also involve video sessions, work in the language laboratory, student presentations, and visits to sites on campus such as the Hecht Museum. In addition, classes will have the opportunity each week to listen to a guest lecturer speak about different aspects of life in Israel today. While the more advanced classes will listen to the lectures and participate in discussions, the beginners classes will prepare questions for their guests and hold their own interviews in simple Hebrew.
 
At the beginning of the Ulpan, students will take a written and oral placement exam. This exam will be used to place students in the most appropriate class for their level of proficiency. In the afternoons, students are expected to prepare their homework which should take approximately 3 hours daily. There will be mid-term and final examinations. The Winter Ulpan awards five academic credits for 100 hours of classroom instruction. This credit will count as transfer credit at the University of Maryland.

Winter Uplan Housing
Housing is available for students who will participate in the Winter Ulpan and then continue on to study for the spring semester at the University of Haifa.  Housing is not available on campus for students who will participate in only the Winter Ulpan Program.

Honors Program in Psychology

The Honors Program in Psychology consists of a Psychology Honors Seminar, psychology courses, and an individualized directed-research project. In the Psychology Honors seminar students will read papers that cover a broad range of research questions in psychology as applied to the special context of Israel. he individualized project allows students to participate in guided reading or guided research projects in an area of interest to them under the supervision of University of Haifa faculty both from the Department of Psychology and from other university departments (e.g., Education and Social Work).

Honors Program in Peace and Conflict Studies

The Honors Program in Peace and Conflict Studies is an interdisciplinary program which focuses on cultural, economic, educational, historical, political, psychological, religious, and social aspects of conflict resolution and peace efforts. The program brings together international students in order to use Israel
as a laboratory for examining issues relating to regional and geo-political conflict and the pursuit of peace. The aim of the Honors Program in Peace and Conflict Studies is to provide students with critical and analytical skills through an intense study of peace and conflict with an emphasis on the Middle East and the developments in the region.

Both programs are open for Maryland in Haifa students to apply. The Honors Program in Psychology and Peace & Conflict Studies are two selective programs, and students will be admitted on the basis of prior academic achievement. To be admitted to the programs, students must have a 3.2 grade point average or the equivalent and have taken courses beyond the introductory level. To apply to the Honors programs, students will need to complete the supplemental form for their program of interest. Please contact Education Abroad if you are interested in this opportunity.

Campus Life

The campus of the University of Haifa spreads along a Carmel Mountain ridge southeast of the city of Haifa and is surrounded by the Carmel National Park. The University was established in 1963 under the joint auspices of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Haifa Municipality. In 1972, it gained academic accreditation as a separate institution from the Council for Higher Education.
 
Religious life
The University of Haifa is very proud of the diversity on campus. The campus is a mix of secular and religious Jewish native Israelis, new immigrants from the former Soviet Union, Ethiopia, North & South America, and Europe, and Israelis whose religious and ethnic backgrounds are Muslim, Christian, Druze, Bedouin and Bahai. In the International School, we promote the diverse religious and ethnic self- expression of all of our students and help them find their own unique connection to Israel.
 
The International School regularly arranges hospitality in religious institutions and homes for interested students. These include spending the Sabbath with an observant Jewish family, visiting Nazareth on Christmas Eve, and participating in the Haifa sponsored Hag HaHagim, a month long festival, uniting Jews, Christians, and Muslims as they celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, and the conclusion of Ramadan.
 
During Student Orientation at the beginning of the semester, students are provided with instructions on how to stay safe while in Israel. In addition, all international students are required to rent an Israeli cell phone through a recognized provider so that the International School staff is able to reach them at all times, both with practical information and in case of an emergency.
 
University Library
The University Library, offering computerized services as well as some two million book and non-book items, is the most advanced of its kind in the country. Students in the program will be allowed to check out books and use other library services upon presenting their student identification card.
 
Athletic Facilities
The Physical Education Department offers a variety of facilities and activities that are open to all students. These include classes in aerobics, tennis, Israeli folk-dancing, yoga, as well as participating in the University's intramural basketball, soccer/football, ping-pong, and volleyball sports teams. In addition, for a fee, international students are welcome to join the gym.
 
Computer Facilities
There are computer rooms available throughout the University campus as well as in the dormitories for student use. The computers are IBM compatible and are equipped with internet and Microsoft software programs. Wireless internet is available in many central locations on campus including the library, cafeterias and open spaces.