Jerusalem Project

 The biggest challenge for the Jerusalem Project in 2011 is the amount of information which needs to be learned and understood.  This project requires the understanding of centuries of historical relationships between the groups which live in Jerusalem as well as knowledge of current plans, predictions, and religious adn political motivations.  Knowledge to this extent can only come through extensive study.  This project, due to the limits of time can provide only a brief study.  The brief study is good for providing an overview and for sparking interest, but perhaps in the future, some activities should be required before the course begins.  Students could read an overview of the history - or even Karen Armstrong's book  - before the class begins so that the entire class could be devoted to delving deeper.  Having some knowledge of the conflict in history and today would help students to be better engaged throughout the course.