Russell Stone is director of the Israel Studies Program at American University.

How did you get involved in Israel studies at American?
I’ve been interested in Israel Studies and in the place of Israel in the Middle East throughout my academic career. In graduate school I studied sociology and Middle East studies. I’ve been doing research on Israel, mostly on public opinion, for the past 30 years. Ever since the Center for Israel Studies was founded [in 1998], I have been active on the academic advising board. I took over as director in fall of 2006.

How did this program get started?
There was a lot of interest in several U.S. universities, including AU, to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel. Israel had become a topic of lively discussion, and in some cases strong criticism, on American campuses, and there was concern in the community that college students did not have access to information and programs about Israel. We were fortunate to receive both financial support from the university, and a grant from an outside donor who is a friend of AU and interested in programming on Israel, to get the center going.

What kinds of courses does the program offer?
The Center does more than offer courses. Over the years we have brought to campus a wide range of Israeli academics and artists to offer workshops and short-term programs in the arts, humanities, sciences and social sciences. We’ve brought specialists in performing arts, literature and letters, economics, environmental science, law and society, public administration, visual arts, Jewish studies, politics and sociology, among other topics. We also support conferences, and host guest lectures and sponsor programs on all aspects of Israeli society, and of course, political issues.
Just recently, in Summer 2006, the University approved an undergraduate minor in Israel Studies. To our knowledge, it’s the first in the country. Students can take courses on the history of Israel, Israeli society, the Israel-Arab conflict, modern Jewish civilization, and Israeli identity, among others. In the coming year we will have a visiting professor from Israel who will add courses on women in the Israeli justice system and minority groups within Israel.

What kinds of jobs or opportunities do you think a typical Israel studies major might encounter here at American or after graduation?
We don’t yet have a major, only a minor, but we’re working on it! I envision that students will take Israel Studies in conjunction with another major, depending on individual interests. This will both broaden their awareness of important issues in the U.S. and the world, and provide a basis for continuing graduate study, or work opportunities in community organizations, global business, media and communications, and many other fields that require in-depth knowledge and understanding of Israel and the Middle East.

Is there anything interesting or unique about the program that you’d like to add?
We are among the first universities in the U.S. and Canada to establish an Israel Studies Center, so many other colleges and universities look to us as a leading example. We are also the first to create an undergraduate academic program. Most important, we provide the opportunity for students, faculty, and the broader community to learn more about Israel, to discuss issues in a calm and supportive setting, and to work toward understanding and coexistence with all those engaged in learning about and supporting Israel’s place in the Middle East and the modern world.