Course Title: Water in Jerusalem: From antiquity to the present.
3 Academic Credits
Instructor: Dr. Gary Heller
Course Objectives:
This course will look at the role of water in the development of Jerusalem from the Bronze Age up to and including modern times. Studying the topic from various perspectives will give students an understanding of how the management and mismanagement of this commodity- the essence of life that is more valuable than oil- has far-reaching implications that affect and influence events taking place today.
Course Topics:
1. Geological, geographic, meteorological, and ecological overview of water in the Middle East and how they affect Jerusalem.
2. Role of water in the history of Jerusalem from pre-Biblical times to today.
3. Water in Tanach.
4. The politicization of water.
5. The future of water: management, environmental conservation, ecology, desalination, effects of global warming.
| Course Requirements: | ||
| Attendance, Preparation, Participation, Discussion | 30% | |
| Field Trips (H<BA) | 10% | |
| Briefs (3 Short papers, 10 percent each) | 30% | |
| Final Project based on coursework and field trip | 30% |