The UAEU Philosophy Department will host the philosophy faculty and students from PSUAD and NYUAD for a philosophical majilis, followed by a dinner of Emirati cuisine.
Sunday 11 December 2011
5:30-9:30
Al Ain Palace Museum
Bus for NYUAD students departs DTC at 4:10
[Description : AlAinMajlis]
Fostering critical thinking and intercultural dialogue is the key to a liberal education for the twenty-first century. Students in the Emirates, whether national or expatriate, need to have a sound knowledge of the history of both Islamic and Western thought and must develop the ability to think well about social and political issues affecting the nation and the globalized world. Philosophy and Social Science programs focus on the development of such skills, but are yet underdeveloped in the region, experts believe.
On Sunday 11 December, students of philosophy from three universities of the emirate of Abu Dhabi will gather in Al Ain on the occasion of the first UAE Philosophy Day. This event is co-organized by the three only universities offering philosophy majors in the country : Departments of Philosophy from UAE University Al Ain, New York University Abu Dhabi and Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.
At the invitation of the Department of UAE University, students from Abu Dhabi will join them in the historical and symbolic setting of Al Ain Palace Museum, the late Sheikh Zayed’s residence in Al Ain between 1937 and 1966, now converted into a museum. Students will be gathering for an evening majlis discussion on the subject of liberal education and tolerance, moderated by the three professors of philosophy in charge of the Departments : Tracy Ann Scholl (UAEU), Matthew Silverstein (NYUAD) and Jacob Schmutz (PSUAD). Other faculty from those universities will be joining the event. The discussion will be followed by a common dinner of traditional Emirati cuisine.
Dr Jacob SCHMUTZ
Head of the Department of Philosophy and Sociology
Visit the Department on FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/pages/Philosophy-Sociology-Department-Paris-Sorbonne-University-Abu-Dhabi/198225050196458
