PROJECT DESCRIPTION

"Back to the roots" is envisioned as a quality liberal education program, which will offer 1-5 weeks of "theory" courses in Dubrovnik and then take students on a Mediterranean cruise, visiting the "roots of western civilization." While aboard the ship, students will continue to study theory and learn from the well-trained and experienced faculty. At the same time they will explore and learn first-hand about the area by visiting the most famous sites. The ship will make eight pre-defined, planned stops in:

Before departing from the ancient city of Dubrovnik, all students will pass an orientation and exploration exam, and develop a personal "guide-book" with the most important historic facts, features of the region, artifacts of importance for/to Western civilization as we know it, and other information. Students will be divided into eight collaborative learning and exploring groups. Each group will have a special exploration and discovery project to be carried out in the place/country of their choice. After completing the project they will share their findings with all the other members of the group. Through eight collaborative groups, and through a joint learning program, students will observe, discover, and learn first hand about the history of the area. They will explore the cradle of western thinking, where Christianity "merges" with the Jewish and Arab world. It is a region in which three continents still preserve the ancient "bridges," where old and new, history and future create a unique and beautiful melange. All students will write a "ship diary,' a daily journal following pre-defined topics. The topics will encourage problem solving, comparative and creative thinking, as well as a better understanding of their "roots," and personal growth.

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