Georgetown University launches new semester of Community Classes

Back by popular demand Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) invites members of the public to enroll in their popular Community Classes program starting this week for courses that will begin on October 11. This semester offers sixteen unique non-credit bearing courses on a wide range of topics taught by prominent scholars and industry experts.  Designed to meet the demands and busy schedules of Qataris and residents of Qatar alike, courses will run in the evenings for six consecutive weeks with classes taught in Arabic and French, as well as English.

“There are many people in Qatar who are interested in personal enrichment and critical skill development, or want to explore new career ideas. This is why we decided to extend Georgetown’s world class educational resources to the Doha community, and in the evenings so people can fit the courses into their busy lives,” said Dr. Amira Sonbol, Professor of History, Faculty Chair and member of the committee tasked with developing the Community Classes program.

For this second installment of the program, GU-Q is offering courses such as Islamic Finance, providing insight into the development of the Islamic finance industry and its place in the modern economic system, Understanding Digital Marketing, teaching students how to utilize the latest digital techniques to market a business or personal brand, and Great Philosophers and Contemporary World Events, a study of what the great philosophers of the West can teach about the contemporary challenges facing the world today.

The varied selection of topics also includes Introduction to Critical Thinking & Logic, Questionnaire Design, Perspectives on Islam and Human Rights, Modern History of the Sudan, Anthropological Film and Nuclear Weapons and International Security. The Private-Public Dichotomy in Arab Culture will be taught in Arabic and new this semester will be one course taught in French titled Masterpieces of French Literature.

Siroon Hanna, who took a course in Arabic Poetry in the first Community Classes offered by the university in the spring complimented the program by saying, “This curriculum is very advanced. We learned very important poetic texts based on analysis and discussion with colleagues...I have personally benefited by developing my talent in writing and learning new skills.”

"Our goal at Georgetown is to reach all members of Qatari society with our various programs and events,” said Renee Gallant, Associate Director of Outreach & External Engagement. ”Community Classes give people an opportunity to explore a topic of interest while either reliving their student experience, or experiencing at taste of student life for the first time.”

Courses will run once a week on either Sunday, Tuesday or Wednesday evenings from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.The Community Classes program commemorates Georgetown’s 10th anniversary of academic excellence and innovative thought in Qatar. To enroll or find out more, visit https://qatar.sfs.georgetown.edu/cc