News & Events
Zahran Selected for FASPE Program
Eman Zahran, a Fulbright scholar studying for a Master of Arts in Religious Studies at University of Chicago Divinity School, is one of fifty students chosen by the Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics to participate in a two week program in New York, Berlin, and Poland for law, medical, journalism, and seminary school students. The FASPE programs instruct students on the contemporary ethical issues facing their professions - using the Holocaust and the conduct of their professions in Nazi Germany as a framework for study.
Eman, who is from Egypt, will return to Menoufiya University to work on projects related to interreligious and intercultural dialogue after her studies in Chicago. She says, "I hope that by the time I finish this program, I will have an idea that I can transfer to my people by experiencing from a close-up view this human tragedy and its consequences. I hope I can mediate in the conflict in my region one day, by helping the people cross this black hole in our history in our region and may be help in creating programs that teach us to coexist with each other more peacefully."
FASPE's goal is to provide tomorrow's professional leaders with opportunities to increase their awareness and preparedness for the ethical issues they will confront as professionals. By educating students about the causes of the Holocaust and promoting their awareness of contemporary related issues, FASPE seeks to prevent future collaboration by professional and religious leaders in genocide, racism, anti-Semitism, and xenophobia.
The Div School's AMRS program is designed for those who wish to pursue a graduate course of study in religion but do not intend to pursue the Ph.D. degree in religion. Many students in the AMRS program are working (or retired) professionals in fields such as law, journalism, or medicine. Several international Fulbright scholars also choose the program for their studies. The program aims to allow students to focus on specific interests while exposing them to the many disciplinary approaches to the academic study of religion that are pursued by the Divinity School faculty. The 2011-2012 academic course schedule will feature a few courses scheduled during evening hours to accommodate the needs of this diverse and experienced student population.
FASPE is under the auspices of the Museum of Jewish Heritage -- a Living Memorial to the Holocaust.
