New course, old struggle

You probably know that Israel and Palestine are not friends, but you may not understand why they’ve been clashing for so long. However, that knowledge could lead to a greater understanding of the true nature of conflict.

Mount Royal University recently announced a new course in the general education program to be taught in winter 2013 – Perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict – for students seeking to satisfy their social and political curiosity.

“I think this is a conflict that best displays historical narratives,” said Dr. Oren Steinitz, who will be teaching the course.

“I mean, you have two groups that have seemingly conflicting ways that describe the same situation. None of them are lying, it’s just that they have a very different way of viewing reality and historical perspectives.”

Steinitz’s course explains that “all perspectives involved” will be revealed, an informed opinion is sure to be made, and those with pre-established opinions will most certainly be challenged.

Students taking the course will be exposed to both sides of the issues, and Steinitz won’t be pointing fingers.

“There is no single side to blame here, and there is no particular point in time, or a particular person or side that has single-handedly escalated the situation,” he said.

What is important about this course, according to Steinitz, is that it “will give you the tools to understand the conflicts in other sections.” Students will gain applicable knowledge of world events, both historical and current.

The class, GNED 1303-003, is a first-year course and there are no pre-requisites. The course takes place Tuesday and Thursday next semester from 3:30 to 4:50.

When asked what kind of preparation or background knowledge students would need, Steinitz replied simply,“An open mind.”