Class Evaluation

Class Discussion: I think our class discussions became more comfortable as the quarter rolled by. In the beginning, I felt unsure if my questions and concerns were applicable to the subject matter. When I found that other people had similar concerns, it helped me steer and confirm my thoughts. I learned a lot through others people’s questions. Many times the class would raise questions that I had not thought of, and it helped me further develop my understanding of the situation. In general I found the class discussions thought provoking and polite.
Video Conferencing: I think the video conferencing gave me a lot of exposure that I would not have received from books. For me, the video conferences with Dr. Held’s class and Pyalara were very insightful. It was helpful to see how two different groups talk about an issue with a totally different perspective. They both talked about daily life in Jerusalem in a completely different light. It was incredible to become in learn about contemporary issues from the people experiencing them. Additionally, I have become more bold and gained courage to ask my questions.
Readings: I appreciated the subject matter of the readings. I am really glad that we read Armstrong’s book. It was very helpful to me, as an outsider to the three religions, in understanding the rich history of the three religions. When people describe the deep seated religious divisions that exist in Jerusalem I understand what they are referring to. Through reading this book, I understand which events sparked religious tensions. The book also helped me realize that there was peaceful co-existence between Muslims and Jews, and refuels my hope that peace is possible. I have learned the importance cultural knowledge through the readings. In addition, I really appreciated readings that traced change in Jerusalem through a cultural context. Salim Tamari’s article about Wasif is an example of this. Even analyzing architecture can provide insight into who was the hegemonic culture.
Lecturer and Speakers: I thought that each of our speakers was very unique and brought a new perspective to the class. I found my opinions of what Kasa Bayasin said to have significantly changed from when the class began through now. I recognize bias related to Israel and Palestine with much ease, even in our speakers. I found Dr. Herrmann to be incredibly helpful and easy to understand. He laid out complex relationships and policies in an elucidating manner. I really understand the politics of Israel and Palestine much more because of him. I found the three scholars of religion to be a good supplement to the Armstrong reading, but very conservative.
Blogging: I was very new to blogging before this class. I find that it is a great mode through which I can express myself. I realize that what is written in blogs has the potential to elicit strong emotions from readers. My individual blog helped keep me responsible and kept me on track with the assignments that were due and the readings. I liked the class blog because it was a very for me to stay connected with the class outside of the classroom. Also, the class blog kept me updated about any amendments that were made in class. I liked that the reading assignments were also there; it was easy to manage. It was also a way for me to share something I found interesting with the entire class and learn about from other people’s interests. I enjoyed reading other people’s blogs and learning from them. Many times, I would agree with what they had to say and appreciate their comments, but I would not know what to write besides that I concur. Through reading others people’s blogs I had the opportunity to learn how their thoughts are shaped what the way they perceive information.
Syllabus: I found the syllabus to provide clear directions most of the time. There were instances when I was a little confused. I think that is because of the nature of this class. The class is very dependent on the lives of our speakers and current events; it adds an extra dimension to our class. However, because of the class blog and updates provided in class, I found it very easy to stay on top of what was due.
Final Project: I learned a lot about the wall through compiling my own project. I realized how emotionally charged people become because of the presence of the wall. Although walls do not speak themselves, they do elicit an outpour of emotions from people located on both sides. I also found movement an aspect of culture that is changing as a response to the conflict. I have become more interested in experiencing Gaga for myself and seeing how it impacts my kinesthetic sense. I wish that I could have somehow found a more personal way of conducting my project. While I learned a lot through my project, I feel as though I presented James Graham’s thoughts and work. I would have liked to experience a Gaga class for myself and conducted interviews about how other people feel about the wall. I am glad I had the opportunity to learn how to create a multimedia project. I learned a tremendous amount about various topics through others people’s projects. The projects were interesting and informative. I enjoyed seeing what things other students were interested in and how it all ties in with Israel (i.e. Poetry Slam and Painting). Further, through observing other people’s projects I also more ideas of how I could better conduct mine in the future.
Personal Reflection: When I started this class, I thought it would be more of a political science course and we would discuss what can be done to bring peace to both groups of people. I thought that both side would be misinformed and that once they realized this, everything would be okay. I have learned that no part of the conflict is black and white. I have also learned that no group should emotionally blackmail another group by proclaiming the number of people killed because it is very ineffective. I have a clearer picture of what the situation is like in Israel and Palestine, but my conclusions for bringing peace are more muddled. I would have liked to learn more about the Gaza strip, especially because of the recent raid in the flotilla. I would like to actually visit Israel for myself to learn more about the conflict and experience the tension for myself. Until then, I can increase my awareness for events that are taking place to raise awareness about the conflict from both sides and read the news. I will be sure to keep my eyes open for any peaceful demonstrations and documentaries that are showing nearby. I definitely want to stay engaged with what is going on.
Last Project Response: I thought the project about Holy sites was very creative. It offered a holistic perspective. I wonder how Ashley got in touch with the Israeli soldiers. I liked to compare how my opinions align with the opinions of an interviewee. I found it interesting to compare the identity of the speaker with their opinions, and how it relates to stereotypical stances.

Final Project Update

The dancer who I interviewed for my final project, James Graham, has made a dance and documentary about the Wall as well as a dance about the Dead Sea.

As I said in class I would post the link to the dead sea dance. It is titled Rift. It is pretty unlike The Wall.
http://blip.tv/file/3126272

The Wall, is a dance and documentary about the people's perspectives about the presence of the wall in Israel. I have integrated clips from this into my final project. The version that he has up is not yet complete. I think it present many issues that we have discussed in class. For example, interviews people who from both sides of the issues. I think it is worth viewing for yourself. In addition to the readings, his project really helped me gain a more clairvoyant understanding about the impact of the wall. It provides useful information through interviews and movement.
http://blip.tv/file/3684906

New and Old Walls of Jerusalem Response

I can imagine the reality of the wall described in this article clearly after hearing the student from Pyalara and from viewing James Graham's project about the wall. The Israelis argue that the Wall gives them protection, not really taking the time to understand what hardships Palestinians undergo because of its presence. To be honest, this makes me feel very frustrated with the situation. From what I have learned in making my final project and reading this article, I feel as though I empathize with the Palestinians' pain caused by the wall. It is crazy to me that one intended barrier can inflict so much suffering.

Pyalara

Upon reading the overview of Pyalara, I think that the organizations intentions are great! I think it's incredible that a youth organization can have such a powerful role in the government (creating a youth fund). I wonder if the rap artists, especially MC Tamer, from the Channels of Rage have any affiliation with this organization. It seems like a pretty well known and established Palestinian group and I wonder if its media projects had any role in enhancing MC Tamer's success rate.
I am curious to see what they mean and their mode of providing self-healing guidance.

I found the over of politics to be particularly helpful in understanding the strife of females. I did not know that young Palestinian women were so disadvantaged. This greatly increased my sympathies toward the Palestinian youth. I am glad that Pyalara exists for them. However, I wonder if Pyalara encourages any peace talks amongst the Palestinian youth. Reflecting back on Dr. Herrmann's lecture, I am interested to know if in regard to peace with Israel, this organization supports the Palestinian strategy of bargaining with the sense of being a victim.

Post of Wounded Spirits in a Promised Land and Poems

I found the Wounded Spirts in a promised land article relate very well to what Kasa Bayasin said about her vision of Jerusalem and reality. It also related very well to the wall article in saying the Wall doesn't hold anything from migrating, but serves as a witness to the flow of faiths and hatreds. I think that this was very well written and moving.

In a Sense of Freedom, the author profoundly states that he is not recognized as an individual but is viewed as a prototype to represent his family. Even yet, he still finds a great sense of belonging in Jerusalem. I think this conveys similar emotions as Kasa Bayasin.

Again, in A City of Stone, the author describes Jerusalem's magnetism.
It very interesting to read poems by authors living in Israel and speak with Kasa. Through these poems, I feel as though both sides express the same feelings. I wonder if these people have the Nosgalic view of Jerusalem, similiar to what Dr. Held was describing.

The Wall

I found the the article about the politics of the wall to be incredibly helpful. Before Dr. Herrmann's lecture, I was very unfamiliar with the impact of the wall and how its meaning and structured changed throughout Israel. It is interesting that this wall has so much impact in the politics of identity. I never realized that the wall was not simply a divide, but it serves to oppress Palastinians. Much of this reading a an expansion on some of the topics Dr. Herrmann described in class.

Talk with Hebrew University

I found the idea Dr. Held's statement "conflict is life" to be extremely insightful to discern the difference between our living Jerusalem class and living in Jerusalem. I appreciated her comment that Jerusalmites worry about traffic jams during holidays much like we in the U.S. do.
Further, I like that Dr. Held brought up the difference between Authentic and Nostalgic Jerusalem, and stated that people should not indulge in a nostalgic view.
I found it interesting that the two students that decided to stay after were Arab, being that everyone else was leaving early becuase it is a Jewish holiday which they celebrated. I am little confused because I thought that Dr. Held stated that there was only one Arab student in the class, but the two students we talked to were also Arab? I think I have some fact wrong.
From talking with the students, I realize the dynamic of this class and ow different it must be for the two other University students. We are all looking at Jerusalem from a different perspective and trying to engage in meaningful dialogue and further our understanding.