European Studies: Three Dimensional Approach of Teaching
European studies is a field of study that focuses on current developments in European integration. Some universities offer a social science or public administration curriculum focusing on developments in the European Union. One of these prominent universities in Palestine is An-Najah National University. European Union studies has taken a new form of teaching by a leader professor of An-Najah staff, Dr. Amjad Abu El-Ezz.
Dr. Amjad Abu El-Ezz has been involved with international development and politics both professionally on diplomatic and journalistic level, and academically for the last decade. He holds a PhD from Durham University and his area of expertise covers European Union policy and examining how the EU develops its foreign policy towards the Middle East and North Africa.
Dr. Abu El-Ezz teaches European studies at An-Najah University in Palestine after spending 10 years in London, where he has completed his PhD. Before joining An-Najah University, he worked for the British American Security Information Council (BASIC) as an international consultant and Gulf director. Between 2011 and 2013 he worked for the United Arab Emirates embassy in London as a researcher, political, educational and media analyst. He is also a frequent commentator on BBC TV and Radio, Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabia TV.
Simulation School for European Studies course
As a political scientist, Dr. Abu El-Ezz contributed to the development of the teaching-learning system in An-Najah. He initiated a simulation school for his European studies students, which he calls a "Three Dimensional Approach: Teaching, Training and Production". When we interviewed Dr. Abu El-Ezz, he said: "I started to think about how to enhance the students' knowledge about European internal and foreign policies and how the west preview our cause in the decision making process within the European Union." He integrated an EU simulation program with the European Studies course, which is part of the Political Sciences Department.
Dr. Amjad Abu El-Ezz has been involved with international development and politics both professionally on diplomatic and journalistic level, and academically for the last decade. He holds a PhD from Durham University and his area of expertise covers European Union policy and examining how the EU develops its foreign policy towards the Middle East and North Africa.
Dr. Abu El-Ezz teaches European studies at An-Najah University in Palestine after spending 10 years in London, where he has completed his PhD. Before joining An-Najah University, he worked for the British American Security Information Council (BASIC) as an international consultant and Gulf director. Between 2011 and 2013 he worked for the United Arab Emirates embassy in London as a researcher, political, educational and media analyst. He is also a frequent commentator on BBC TV and Radio, Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabia TV.
Mechanism
This new teaching method divides students into groups according to the institutional set-up of the European Union. Students play the role of the European Parliament, the European Council, the European Commission and other bodies. The teacher gives the students a task, and asks them to read about the responsibilities and aims of each body so that they play their roles well. This method trains students to perform the EU bodies' roles through producing statements and policies. It is based on self-study mechanism, which means no memorizing is required but practicing. For example, the teacher gives a proposal about recognizing the Palestinian state within the EU parliament. Students must know the process flow and the decision making mechanism. They have to know who takes decision about this. In this case, the EU Council. Students may also make decisions related to domestic policy such as an agricultural proposal in one of the EU countries.
Student reflection
Dr. Abu El-Ezz mentioned that the students loved this teaching approach as it helped them absorb the curricula. The simulation is done outside the classroom because they need space, and students wear suits. This makes them happy and gives them self-confidence. Some students play the role of journalists, or the Palestinian embassy in a certain country.
Benefits
This approach increases awareness and knowledge of the EU policy by practice as the simulation is done three times over the whole semester. Each one of the students play a certain role either as observer, participant, lobbying or judge. It does not only offer them training, but also teachs them how to produce judgment and make decisions. It's like obtaining firsthand experience. Students write proposals in both English and Arabic. The course also invites international volunteers to talk about the EU policy. They get questions from the students and they debate with the students. Moreover, the simulation enhances students' public relations, communications and teamwork skills. In addition, students have the opportunity to visit the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where they meet with Amal Jadou, the Assistant Minister on European Affairs and Head of the European Department to ask questions about current political events.
Final remarks
Dr. Abu El-Ezz concluded: "I served many countries, but I got back to Palestine to benefit my own people. My aspiration is to establish a unit specialized in EU studies in Palestine."
