Other J-Term Opportunities

Being Human

Instructors: Marshall Ganz and Chris Robichaud, Harvard Kennedy School

Course Description: We must see ourselves as human if we are to achieve excellence in the practice of democratic leadership and democracy itself. But this understanding of ourselves and each other is in deep peril today. Economic systems turn us into profit centers, political systems turn us into data points, communications systems turn us into users, even as our relationships are turned into transactions. And in universities and colleges, humanistic studies like art, literature, philosophy, sacred scriptures, and poetry, get marginalized with ever increasing speed. Through “Being Human” we begin to respond by offering participants an opportunity to incorporate the humanistic lens into their leadership practice through a variety of different modes of engagement. These include reflection, readings, art, music, relationship building, and other forms of practice-oriented exercises. One focus of the course will be on examining ways in which we dehumanize each other and experimenting with ways to rehumanize ourselves.

Please fill out the Student Commitment Form by November 8th if you are interested in enrolling. You can find the canvas page, shopping day video, and draft syllabus here. Questions? Please email [email protected] and Taarini Goyal [email protected].

Tunisia Winter Study Excursion

The Harvard Center for Middle Eastern Studies offers a winter study excursion to Tunisia. This three-week itinerary, based in the city of Tunis, focuses on the history and culture of Tunisia and how they intersect with landscape and urbanism. The field-based program is intended for students whose primary focus is on North African and Middle Eastern studies. The program is open to graduate students across Harvard’s Schools.

The January 2025 program will be led by Gareth Doherty, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, with Sihem Lamine, Associate Director of the CMES Tunisia Office. The excursion is scheduled from January 4 to January 20, 2025. A pre-departure meeting will be held during reading week.

Applications are due October 31, 2024.

Important Note: Students holding non-US citizenship are responsible for obtaining any necessary visas.

For more information, see the CMES website:

https://cmes.fas.harvard.edu/tunisia

Questions about the program should be directed to Haley Stramel.