Members of the Social Sciences Department Reflect Upon Their Experiences

13 February 2008

Around 145 students and nine faculty members attended an assembly held by the Social Sciences Department on Wednesday, February 13th, to exchange feedback and experiences between the department faculty members, graduates, and students. 

During the discussion, Dr. Norma Hazboun, Chairperson, emphasized the importance of opening a dialogue about all issues concerning the department. She also stressed that there should be “a combination of education and social practice in creating a ‘total student’”. Dr. Hazboun encouraged the students to get involved in voluntary work as much as they can to build their personalities and experiences.

Some graduates and senior students reflected upon their experiences in social work and its impact upon their personalities. Mr. Mahmoud Hammad, Dean of Students (BU’97), emphasized the importance of studying sociology as it helps one understands the structure of the society and social relations. “It provides students with the ability to interconnect with people in a more human way”. He also added that Bethlehem University sociology graduates have excelled in their positions in the different local and international organizations. Based on her experience in social work, Ms Nabila Daqqad, lecturer in the department (BU’82), emphasized that anyone who wishes to study social work should have certain personal characteristics as they deal with different human concerns and problems.   

Rujan Ibrahim, senior student in sociology, reflected upon her experience in voluntary work in the different NGOs and emphasized its importance in building one’s personality. Due to her active voluntary work, Rujan has been offered a scholarship for a Masters in Sociology and Development in the Higher Institute for Social Sciences in the Netherlands. Another senior student in social work, Hiba Abud Dayeh, talked about the importance of social work in dealing with clients in a humane way.

The attending students commented on some remarks that occurred during the discussion with the chairperson and faculty members. Ali Abu Mustafa, third year student in social work, stressed the importance of empowering the students while studying social work, “We in the Social Sciences field are learning how to face the “storms” around us, not by giving in; but by standing up and helping others to do the same”. Ezzat Netsheh, third year student in social work, also stressed the importance of voluntary work and encouraged his fellow students to gain as much as voluntary experience as possible since this will help them in their future search for employment.

This assembly is an initial activity carried out by the Social Sciences Department through which students are provided the chance to reflect upon their experiences with their fellow colleagues.  Currently the Social Sciences Department provides two majors in Sociology and Social Work and one minor in Psychology. There are almost 300 students studying in the department. We wish the Social Sciences Department good luck in their endeavors.