DIPLOMA IN TOUR GUIDING

The overall philosophy of this three-semester program is to provide the individual participants with the necessary expertise and skills to operate as a professional in the tourism and tour guide industry. The overall aim of the Tour Guide Program is the formation of tour guides for pilgrim and tourist visitors to the Holy Land through appropriate theoretical and practical vocational training activities.

Paradigm of courses

First Year
FIRST SEMESTER		CR	SECOND SEMESTER		CR
TRGD 102	Archeology of Holy Land I	3	TRGD-202	Archeology of Holy Land II	3
TRGD 103	Introduction to Christianity	3	TRGD 203	Introduction to Islam	3
TRGD 104	Geography of the Holy Land	3	TRGD 207	History of the Holy Land II	3
TRGD 106	The Art of Tour Guiding I	3	TRGD 206	The Art of Tour Guiding II	3
TRGD 107	History of the Holy Land I	3	TRGD 209	Introduction to Judaism	3
THIRD SEMESTER CR TRGD 301 Botanical & Animal Life 3 TRGD 302 Archeology of Holy Land III 3 TRGD 305 History of the Holy Land III 3 TRGD 306 Art of Tour Guiding III 3 TRGD 307 Practical Aspects of Tour Guiding 3 TRGD 310 Comprehensive Seminar 3

Description of Courses

TRGD 102 Archeology of the Holy Land I (Cr. 3)

Students will receive an introduction to the archeology of the Holy Land and study the material culture of Palestine. The course concentrates on the major periods and sites from the Paleolithic (Early Stone Age) to the Ottoman period.

TRGD 103 Introduction to Christianity (Cr. 3)

This course will familiarize the students with the growth and development of Christianity in the Holy Land through two millennia. A historical approach will be utilized to provide a logical presentation of Christianity in its Jewish background; prophecies, institutions, and moral and spiritual values, culminating in the study of Jesus, his spiritual and moral values, and his followers.

TRGD 104 Geography of the Holy Land (Cr. 3)

This course aims to study the location of Palestine, its historical geography, and the geological history and structure of the rocks. In addition, the students will study the main physical geographical phenomena, demography, human settlement, structure of the economy, institutions, and touristic importance of the Holy Land. The students will learn how to use and read different kinds of maps. A three-day tour through Palestine will enable the students to experience the reality of what they have studied.

TRGD 106 The Art of Tour Guiding I (Cr. 3)

This course introduces the students to the principles and fundamentals of tour guiding. Field trips will be included and the sites announced at the beginning of the semester.

TRGD 107 History of the Holy Land I (Cr. 3)

This course is an introduction to the history of the Holy Land beginning with the period of the Hebrews and the Land of Cannan to Christ and his times, to modern times. Students will study notable developmental stages of the Holy Land including the various religions and States which ruled over it by reading important sections of the Old and New Testaments and the Qur’an.

TRGD 202 Archeology of Holy Land II (Cr. 3)

This course is a continuation of TRGD-102 to Archeology of Holy Land I.

TRGD 203 Introduction to Islam (Cr. 3)

This course is an introduction to the principal elements of Islamic life, its beliefs, holy book, festivals, symbols, holy sites, and traditions. It is intended to enable future guides to communicate this basic knowledge accurately and clearly to pilgrims and tourists.

TRGD 206 The Art of Tour Guiding II (Cr. 3)

This course is a continuation of TRGD-106 Holy Land Guide I. Students will study the duties of tour guides, including the ethical, social, legal, and economical aspects of guiding. The sites to be visited will be announced at the beginning of the semester.

TRGD 207 History of the Holy Land II (Cr. 3)

This course is a continuation of TRGD-105 History of the Holy Land I.

TRGD 209 Introduction to Judaism (Cr. 3)

This course is an introduction to the principal elements of Jewish life, its holy sites, festivals, symbols, and traditions. It is intended to enable future guides to communicate this basic knowledge accurately and clearly to pilgrims and tourists.

TRGD 301 Botanical and Animal Life (Cr. 3)

This course will acquaint the students with knowledge and appreciation about plants and animals of Palestine and those which are common in Palestinian folklore.

TRGD 302 Archeology of Holy Land III (Cr. 3)

This course is a continuation of TRGD-202 Archaeology of Holy Land II.

TRGD 305 History of the Holy Land III (Cr. 3)

This course is a continuation of TRGD-207 History of the Holy Land II.

TRGD 306 The Art of Tour Guiding III (Cr. 3)

This course is a continuation of TRGD-206 Holy Land Guide II and includes theoretical and practical work related to specific methods of planning, presenting, and evaluating guides and guiding activities. The sites to be visited will be announced at the beginning of the semester.

TRGD 307 Practical Aspects of Tour Guiding (Cr. 3)

This course will allow the students to review, organize, integrate and refine material they studied in previous tour guide courses. The following areas are subject of study: public speaking, maps, planning tours and excursions, specialized tours, coach tours, guiding in churches and mosques, town walkabouts. Other topics include, but are not limited to, problems confronting guides, working conditions, speech training, handicapped clients, guide’s appearance and mannerisms, guiding in museums, archeological sites, and public buildings. Students will continue to deepen their experiences through active participation in field trips.

TRGD 310 Comprehensive Seminar (Cr. 3)

This seminar is designed to provide the students with an opportunity to review, organize and integrate materials from previous and present courses. Students will select and prepare a particular subject in Tourism chosen from a selected list of Departmental approved topics. Students will present their subjects for discussion at seminar meetings with faculty members assisting as coordinators.