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: Summer term 2025 (12 weeks: May 25, 2025 - August 17, 2025)

Final Projects from 2023-24 Fellows:

Learn about the program from former CASA II Fellows and faculty at the Qasid Institute:

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.
  3. Non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents are welcome to apply to CASA, and if accepted, may participate on a Pay-Your-Own-Way (PYOW) basis only.

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 class hours per week: 
    • 4 hours: Language/Content Course 1 (Dialect) 
    • 2 hours: Language/Content Course 2 
    • 2 hours: Language/Content Course 3 
    • 2 hours: Language/Content Course 4 
    • 2 hours: Bi-weekly Research Forum (research discussion with peers and experts) 
    • 1 hour: Collaborative meetings with regional peer faculty in Fellow’s domain  
  • Cultural exchange discussions with language partners once a week 
  • 6 Guest Lectures, engaging with experts in Fellows’ fields (2 hours, every 2 weeks) 
  • 2 Cultural and Professional Networking Trips/Mini-Conference, fellows will present about their research and meet with area scholars 
  • 2 hours homework and 2-3 hours independent reading, writing, and research per day
  • Final ACTFL proficiency assessments in Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing 
  • 1 final presentation at mini-conference at the end of the program on research projects to local scholars   
Post-program: 
  • Submit Summary Report of your project (2-page abstract) to be posted to the CASA website 
  • 15-minute recording about research subject to post on CASA website (may be based on the presentation abroad) 
  • 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): $62 Consortium Members/$87 Non-Consortium Members 
  • Selection OPI & Reading Exam: $111
  • Program Fee: $974 Consortium Members, $1640 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/Selection Exam Deadline:  Friday, January 31, 2025 AT 11:59 PM MT 

Application Requirements:

  • Reading and Speaking Language proficiency test scores (Writing and Reading exams will be scheduled later 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