Founded in 2007, the Institute for Middle East Studies aims to foster research, dialogue and the creation of an intellectual community focused on the modern Middle East, geographically defined as the Arab world, Turkey, Israel, and Iran. To this end, IMES encourages intellectual collaboration among members of the GW community interested in the Middle East, between GW research institutes, and with other organizations in the Washington area. In promoting and publicizing new work on the Middle East, IMES aims to deepen understanding of this critical region among scholars, students, and the broader public. We hope you will join our efforts to examine the forces that have shaped this critical region, how they operate today, and how they may unfold in the future.

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StarTalk Persian language curriculum program now accepting applications

Persian Curriculum Design (Advanced)
June 4, 2012 -- June 15, 2012 ~ Residential Program

This program is designed to create a guiding curriculum for Persian language instructors. In the course of two intensive weeks, this program will help instructors in facing the challenges of the twenty-first century in teaching Persian. This professional development program will include sessions on standards-based curriculum planning, multi-media technology, learner-centered classroom strategies, and second language acquisition theories, as well as familiarity with assessment tools. Applications are accepted from novice and experienced instructors of Persian. Familiarity with Standards-based language teaching preferred. A limited number of stipends will be available to applicants, and accommodation available for out of town participants.

This program is being directed by IMES Faculty Associate Pardis Minuchehr, Assistant Professor of Persian; Coordinator, Persian Program.

To apply, submit your application to the website here, and email your CV to persian@gwu.edu For any inquiries, please email persian@gwu.edu or call (202-994-7948).

IMES Designated Title VI National Resource Center

The U.S. Department of Education has designated The Institute for Middle East Studies a Title VI National Resource Center, awarding IMES nearly $1 million over four years to enrich its programs in research and teaching on the Middle East.

The grant will enable IMES to build its Persian, Arabic and Turkish language programs, support faculty and student research, and offer a wider variety of events.  It will provide funds to significantly expand the University's Middle East and North Africa Resource Center within Gelman Library. It will also help support the Project on Middle East Political Science, a major national network successfully launched last year to strengthen the impact of Middle East specialists on public discourse and the academic field.   It will also allow GW to launch three innovative outreach initiatives, including an Iraq War veteran's outreach initiative, a journalist training initiative, and a K-12 teacher training initiative.
 
Read more here.