Israel: Politics and Society - JTM322

• Title: Israel: Politics and Society
• Guaranteed by: Department of Russian and East European Studies (23-KRVS)
• Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences
• Actual: from 2019 to 2019
• Semester: winter
• E-Credits: 6
• Examination process: winter s.:
• Hours per week, examination: winter s.:1/1, Ex [HT]
• Capacity: 30 / unknown (30)
• Min. number of students: 5
• 4EU+: no
• Virtual mobility / capacity: no
• State of the course: taught
• Language: English
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Note: course can be enrolled in outside the study plan; enabled for web enrollment
• Guarantor: Dr. Irena Kalhousová
• Teacher(s): Dr. Irena Kalhousová
• Class: Courses for incoming students

Annotation

Course Description
Israel, a geographically small Mediterranean country of nine million people, is one of the most debated countries in the world. However, this debate is often characterized by a lack of understanding of Israel’s complex history, heterogeneous society, and a fragmented political system. This class aims to help students to understand the intricacies of Israeli politics and society. This course will be divided into four parts. The first part focuses on the ideological foundation of the State of Israel. The second part addresses cleavages and identities within Israeli society and their impact on the political system and political culture in Israel. The third part looks at the political system of Israel, with a special focus on the main actors like state institutions and political parties. The last part will focus on selected topics related to the latest political development in Israel.

Last update: Kalhousová Irena, Dr. (11.08.2020)

Aim of the course

Course Objectives

After attending the course, students should:

×          Understand better the complexities of Israel’s politics;

×          Be familiar with the main political actors in Israel;

×          Be able to analyze core issues like founding ideologies of the State of Israel, religion-state dynamics, main left-center-right division, religious-secular debate, gender equality, Jewish-Arab relations, mainstream, as well as radical narratives in Israel’s politics, etc.;

×          Learn to read critically political texts regarding Israel;

×          Develop oral presentation and writing skills through debates, simulations, and papers.

 

Last update: Kalhousová Irena, Dr. (11.08.2020)

Literature

Check the Syllabus

Last update: Kalhousová Irena, Dr. (11.08.2020)

Teaching methods

Lectures and Seminars

Last update: Kalhousová Irena, Dr. (11.08.2020)

Requirements to the exam

Course Requirements

This course puts an emphasis on in-class debates and independent study. For each class, students are expected to read assigned literature BEFORE each lecture. Do not come to class without proper preparation, as you will not be able to participate in debates.

1.       In-class activity: Discussions (15 points);

2.       In-class activity: News presentation (5 points);

3.       In-class activity: Class debate (10 points);

4.       Homework assignment: Quiz focused on the understanding of the assigned reading (10 points);

5.       Homework assignment: Reaction paper on the reading (20 points);

6.       Final Essay: Analysis of a current event/issue/topic (50 points).

 

A maximum number of points in total: 110. (Any student who gets over 100 points will get a present from the HCIS).

 

Participation in classes is mandatory. One unexcused absence is allowed. Students will not be graded if missing more than four classes.

 

Last update: Kalhousová Irena, Dr. (11.08.2020)