Harvard Summer Program in Ashkelon, Israel
This page contains content from the Summer School 2009. For current information, visit the Harvard Summer School website at www.summer.harvard.edu.
Information on the programs being offered summer 2010 will be available online in early September.
An archaeological excavation of an ancient Mediterranean seaport
Faculty: Lawrence E. Stager
(8 credits: UN, GR) Limited enrollment
Program dates: June 7–July 17, 2009
Application deadline: no later than April 15
Cost: $4,896
In this summer field school, Harvard Summer School students work alongside volunteers and a professional archaeological staff of 20 to excavate ancient Ashkelon, one of the
most important seaports in Israel and in the eastern Mediterranean.
We focus on areas from the Canaanite era (2000–1200 BC), when Ashkelon was a Bronze Age metropolis surrounded by commanding ramparts and covering more than 150 acres. On site is the oldest arched gate in the world, which still stands two stories high. We continue with the excavation of Philistine fortifications located at the top of the Canaanite ramparts, and of Canaanite houses from the end of the Bronze Age. We also explore the remnants of the Philistine era (1185–604 BC), uncovering the city known from the days of David and Goliath, from the saga of Samson and Delilah. We search for the origins of the mysterious Sea Peoples and reveal their culture from the time of arrival until their demise at the hands of the Babylonian conqueror Nebuchadnezzar. Finally, focusing on the Roman through Islamic periods, we excavate monumental architecture from the forum in the center of the city.
Our field training focuses on methods of stratigraphic excavation, recording, and interpretation, and the study of ceramic typology and its applications. Staff specialists hold workshops on surveying, photography, ceramics, geology, faunal analysis, and conservation of artifacts. Fieldwork is complemented by a series of lectures by staff and Israeli scholars.
Course of study
Students who are participating in the Ashkelon program for course credit take NELC S-198.
NELC S-198 Field School and Education Program for Ashkelon Excavations—The Leon Levy Expedition
This is an interdisciplinary course of archaeological fieldwork supported by lectures and workshops by resident staff and Israeli scholars on the archaeology, geography, and history of ancient Israel, Phoenicia, and Philistia. Three field trips to other archaeological sites in Israel help students in this course to contextualize the work being done at Ashkelon and broaden participants’ understanding of Israel and archaeological work being conducted therein. Prerequisites: none.
Course credit
For Harvard College students, this program counts as one full-year course (8 credits) of degree credit.
Transfer credit. Harvard Summer School courses and credits are accepted toward degrees at most colleges and universities. Since degree requirements vary among schools, students are advised to obtain transfer credit approval from their home institutions before registering for Harvard Summer School courses.
Faculty
Lawrence E. Stager, PhD, Dorot Professor of the Archaeology of Israel and Director of the Semitic Museum, Harvard University
Application
Students must be at least 18 years old to apply. The application materials, outlined below, are due no later than April 15 (Harvard College students should be aware of earlier funding deadlines):
- An application form (applications for this program are no longer being accepted)
- The Ashkelon Volunteer Staff Application form
- Official transcripts (sent directly from schools to the address below; unofficial copies of transcripts are accepted for Harvard College students only)
- A $50 nonrefundable application fee
- A supplementary statement describing interest in the program, relevant coursework, and travel experience (not a prerequisite)
Applications should be addressed as follows:
Matilda West
Study Abroad Coordinator
51 Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Students are notified of admission decisions by mid-April.
Cost
The cost of the program is $4,896, plus a nonrefundable $50 application fee. In addition, students are responsible for a health insurance fee ($165; waived if students have US insurance that provides coverage outside the United States), independent excursions, and for transportation to and from Israel. The cost of the program covers the following:
- Tuition
- Room and board
- Field trips
Program directors will advise students of likely additional expenses.
Payment deadlines
Harvard Summer School online services allows accepted students to make payments or deposits with a valid credit card.
Students can also mail their payment, along with a completed Study Abroad Payment Form (available in Forms), to:
Student Financial Services
Harvard Summer School
51 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
For those admitted to the program, a nonrefundable deposit of $490 must be received by April 15 to secure a place in the program. Payment in full is due by May 15. A $100 late fee will be charged for payments received after this date.
Funding
Harvard College students are eligible for funding through the Harvard College Office of International Programs (OIP), as well as a variety of centers around campus. All Harvard Summer School study abroad programs qualify for summer funding. Programs of eight weeks or longer in duration (including extensions of Harvard Summer School Programs approved by faculty members) qualify for Rockefeller International Experience Grants; programs of shorter duration qualify for other summer grants.
Students may consult the Funding Sources Database for more information on all sources of funding. Please note that the funding application deadline for summer grants and Rockefeller International Experience Grants is February 27.
To apply for any study abroad funding, students need to provide information about the program’s budget, submit an application through the Common Application for Research and Travel (CARAT), as well as supplementary documents to the relevant center, if necessary. Additional information on the funding application process is available through CARAT.
Also see the Harvard College Financial Aid Office summer school page for information about assistance.
Other Harvard students may be eligible for financial assistance through their Harvard financial aid offices. Students enrolled at other institutions should consult their respective financial aid offices.
Accommodations
Students stay at the Dan Gardens Hotel, a five-star seaside hotel, with transportaion to and from the site provided. Breakfast is served in the field, lunch and dinner in the hotel. Rooms accommodate three to four participants. See the 2009 Ashkelon Exacavation Practical Information handout for more details.
Physical activity
Students are expected to participate in strenuous field activity with interest, precision, vigor, and attentiveness. Experience is not necessary, but enthusiasm, cheerfulness, and the ability to get along well with diverse personalities under field conditions are definite assets.
Additional information
Contact Ashkelon Excavations, leonlevyexpeditiontoashkelon@gmail.com, or Kristen Vagliardo, volunteer coordinator, (617) 495-9385, fax: (617) 496-8904. Also see the Leon Levy Expedition website.
Students with disabilities should contact the disability services coordinator as soon as possible: (617) 495-0977, (617) 495-9419 (TTY), or disabilities@dcemail.harvard.edu. Request-for-accommodation forms and supporting diagnostic documentation must be submitted by April 15. See the Disability Services page for more information about disability services, including request forms and guidelines for documentation.
Students applying for admission to Harvard’s study abroad programs should understand that although the University provides reasonable assistance and support to facilitate the participation of qualified students in its programs (including students with disabilities and health impairments), some of our programs are located in parts of the world where accommodations may not be readily available. Students are encouraged to be forthcoming with the disability services coordinator about any specific needs and functional limitations so that the Summer School can collaborate with those students in a way that fosters their safe participation and allows them to fully appreciate any barriers that they may face, depending on the location and rigors of the particular program.
Harvard Summer School is aware of the risks associated with international travel. Should the US Department of State issue a travel warning for any of the countries in which a study abroad program is planned, the program in that country may be canceled.