The Woodman-Scheller Israel Studies International Program (WSISIP)​, M.A, BGU:

• Israel Studies: An Interdisciplinary Perspective - The course provides an introduction for the study of Israel from an interdisciplinary perspective. discuss key questions concerning the state of Israel and Israeli society through multiple disciplinary and theoretical perspectives: history, Economics, Political science, Law, sociology, and philosophy.
• Emergencies and Crises in Israel - The coronavirus pandemic thrust to the top of the public agenda the question of how countries and societies, in Israel and around the world, confront crises and emergencies. The course will discuss this issue through an analysis of the various crises and emergencies that Israel has faced throughout its history: terror, security threats, economic crises, political violence and most recently – the coronavirus pandemic.
• Studying the different crises enables a discussion of the fundamental issues in this field, including, among others: the tension between the necessity to protect national security and safeguarding democracy and human rights; the risk of governments abusing emergencies for political ends; how leaders handle emergencies; public response to economic emergencies; and the causes and contexts of political violence.
• The Israeli Political System – This course provides an introduction to the structure, institutions, and dynamics of the Israeli political system. It examines the constitutional framework, the role of key institutions such as the Knesset, the government, and the judiciary, as well as the functioning of political parties, elections, and coalition politics. The course also sketches the central disputes and societal rifts that have shaped Israeli politics, including tensions between religion and state, majority and minority, and security and democracy. Adopting both a historical and comparative perspective, it situates Israel within broader discussions of democratic governance, highlighting both its distinctive features and the challenges it faces.
• The Israeli Right: Ideology and Politics- The course examines the worldview of the Israeli right and the ideological and political processes that have shaped it from the establishment of the state to the political upheaval of 1977. Within this framework, we will explore the positions, struggles, and development of the Herut movement—and later the Likud—as the central force of the Israeli right, both historically and in the present. Particular attention will be devoted to the movement’s positions on democracy, the separation of powers, human rights, and the rule of law. The discussion will proceed through an analysis of its stance across a series of key historical events in which its core principles were articulated. In this context, we will address, among other issues, debates over the enactment of a constitution for Israel, responses to states of emergency, majority–minority relations, and episodes of political violence. Adopting both a historical and a comparative perspective, the course situates the Israeli case within broader debates on right-wing political thought, democratic governance, and the challenges posed by crises and emergency powers. It analyzes the transformations in the worldview of the Israeli right over time, as well as the enduring tension between its commitment to democratic and liberal values and its commitment to national and Jewish values. By placing the Israeli right at the center of inquiry, the course offers a deeper understanding of the major ideological, political, and institutional developments that have shaped Israel since its founding, while also contributing to comparative discussions on democracy, political movements, and the evolution of right-wing ideologies.
• The Israeli Right: Ideology and Politics
• Emergencies and Crises in Israel

Israel Studies Program, BGU:

• Mastering Rhetoric: The Art of Writing, Persuasion, and Storytelling Rhetoric is the art of persuasion through language. It is the tool that enables people to express ideas, make arguments, persuade, address specific audiences, handle criticism, convey messages, and communicate effectively with their surroundings. Mastery of rhetorical skills is an essential asset in the modern job market and across a wide range of professions. High-level proficiency in these skills provides a significant advantage in various roles, situations, and tasks.