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Letter from the Head of the Program | AMIRIM

Letter from the Head of the Program

 

Welcome to Amirim, the unique interdisciplinary honors program of the Hebrew University! The program aims to shape Israel’s future leadership in academia, law, industry, business, journalism, education, and communal leadership. Accordingly, we are looking for students who are both outstanding in their academic potential and who are socially committed. We especially hope to see among us students who represent all branches and sectors of Israeli society.

The program seeks to provide its students with a broad, diverse and in-depth education in the humanities. The university fully funds all of the in-class and extramural activities intended for our students. The program is open to all students at the Hebrew University who meet the high admission requirements and who strive to deepen their knowledge in the various fields of knowledge taught in the humanities. We are committed to opening new and stimulating horizons. Therefore, the most exciting lecturers at the Hebrew University teach in the program, sharing their knowledge and experience with the students in the framework of courses especially designed for them. Our program’s uniqueness, when compared to parallel honors programs in Israel and around the world, lies in its proven success in shaping a learning community that works together in joint study of inspiring courses.

The study is based on class discussions, guided reading, and intensive writing in Hebrew and English, as well as the acquisition of a second foreign language (in addition to English). The curriculum is diverse and rich, and it changes every year in accordance with the students’ interests. Alongside the analytical discussion of concepts, ideas, texts and works of art that have shaped Western culture, there is also in-depth study of other global civilizations, including Judaism, Islam, the civilizations of the Indian subcontinent, East Asia, Africa and more. As one who dedicates his academic life to the study of the Ottoman Empire, it is important to me that our students be exposed during their studies to a wide variety of world civilizations.

The teaching method in the program combines study in a classroom setting with experiential, active and creative learning. One of the highlights of the program is a unique seminar based on introductory study and a tour abroad, that takes place in the third year of studies and is fully funded by the university. Our students will travel in the coming years to Venice (2022), Paris (2023), Beijing (2024) and Istanbul (2025). In addition, we encourage our students to participate in exchange programs that are offered by the Hebrew University. While we expect our students to invest their efforts in their academic studies, we equally encourage them to participate in various social activities within and outside the university.

The Amirim program is an outstanding and challenging platform that places the students at the center. It offers the study of the humanities as a dual-major program for students from all faculties of the Hebrew University. The program provides a unique opportunity and opens a door for those who strive to better understand the world in which we live. I invite all of you to join us on a fascinating, inspiring, and challenging journey!

Eyal Ginio  Prof. Eyal Ginio

 Director of the Amirim Honors Program in the Humanities