CASA II

Overview

CASA II offers language and research support for graduate students in MENA Studies (any area of specialization pertaining to the MENA region) through the Qasid Arabic Institute in Amman, Jordan. Refresh and boost your language skills in the areas that will be most helpful to your research while receiving support in accessing primary resources, and networking with local and national scholars.

Program Dates: Spring term 2025 (January-May, exact dates TBD)

Eligibility

Applicants must be: 

  1. US citizen, national, or permanent resident 
  2. A graduate student (priority given to Ph.D. students) in an institution of higher education in MENA Studies (any area of specialization pertaining to the MENA region). The student should meet the provisions set by his or her local and state education agencies.

Program Description

CASA II offers language and research support for graduate students in MENA Studies through the Qasid Arabic Institute in Amman, Jordan.  Refresh and boost your language skills in the areas that will be most helpful to your research while receiving support in accessing primary resources, and networking with local and national scholars.

  1. CASA II will provide advanced Arabic enhancement courses for graduate students in various MENA fields who are interested in further improving their Arabic language skills including learning a colloquial, or in further developing their ability to use the language in contexts appropriate for their own research areas. 
  2. In addition, CASA II will support the Fellows’ research projects by providing weekly mentoring from Arabic-speaking local academics and experts in their field, access to primary sources, and/or guidance in conducting field research in Arabic.

In addition to the above language and research support, Fellows will take cultural, professional and networking group trips around Jordan to engage with scholars and experts from other cities and leading universities. They will participate in a bi-weekly forum at Qasid to hone in their research and presentational skills in Arabic, in preparation for presenting their work at a final mini-conference that will include local scholars and other experts. Fellows will also give a presentation to CASA Consortium members and alumni, once stateside.

Curriculum Overview

Contact Hours, Levels, and Activities

  • 13 contact hours per week:

      • 4 hours: Language Course 1
      • 4 hours: Language/Content Course 2
      • 2 hours: Language/Content Course 3
      • 2 hours: Bi-weekly Research Forum (sharing research with group & Director)
      • 1 hour: Collaborative meetings with regional peer faculty in Fellow’s domain
  • 2 hours homework and 3-4 hours Independent reading, writing, and research per day
  • Cultural exchange discussions with Jordanian language partners once a week
  • 6 Guest Lectures, engaging with experts based in Fellows’ fields (2 hours, every 2 weeks)
  • 2 Cultural and Networking Trips/ Mini-Conference, fellows will present research to and meet with area scholars
  • Final ACTFL assessments in Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing
  • 1 final Mini-Conference at the end of the program to present projects to local scholars

Post-program:

  • Submit Summary Report of your project (2-page abstract) to be posted to the CASA website
  • Online Colloquium to share projects with CASA Consortium members and alumni, the public and K-12/community college faculty

What Does the Fellowship Cover?

  • Roundtrip airline ticket to/from Amman, Jordan on program dates
  • Stipend to help meet basic living expenses
  • Tuition
  • Two group trips with multidisciplinary connections

Participant Fees:

  • Application Fee (includes Selection OPI exam): $110 Consortium Members/$135 Non-Consortium Members 
  • Selection Listening & Reading Exam: $102* (exam registration instructions link here)
  • Program Fee: $950 Consortium Members, $1600 Non-Consortium Members  
  • Required International Insurance through UA: approximately $440*,TBD based on program dates

*Rates subject to change

How to Apply

Please review the application requirements below, then visit the Application and Instructions page to begin your CASA II application.

Application Requirements

Application Deadline: Thursday, February 1st, 2024,(Notifications are expected to be sent in April)

Selection Exam Deadline: Thursday, February 15 

Application Requirements:

  • Reading, Listening and Speaking Language proficiency test scores (a WPT exam will be scheduled later, only for those accepted)
  • Proposed research project abstract (750 words)
  • Transcripts & 2 Letters of recommendation (preferably 1 language professor and 1 professor from your area of research; any reference should be able to speak to your academic background)
  • Statement of purpose (500 words max)
    • Outline your language proficiency needs for the proposed research project (propose 2-3 courses that would be helpful to you)
    • Describe the impact the program will have on your academic career goals