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National Guides Course
In 1998 Archaeological Seminars established the first English speaking Government Tour Guide course for the training of new guides licensed by the Ministry of Tourism. This 18 month academic program which is supervised and taught under our expert guidance has been widely acclaimed. The following is a brief description of our course
Goals of the Course:
The aim of the course is to:
Train Tour Guides to guide both incoming tourists and the local population. The future guides will become acquainted with the archaeology, history, religions, flora and fauna, geography, art and architecture of the region, also Middle Eastern societies and the state, economy and government in Israel.
Applicants
The course is intended for those interested in acquiring a full or part time profession in guiding tourists, both local and from abroad.
Admission Requirements
Matriculation Certificate, or proof of 12 years of education.
Applicants must be fluent in English.
In order to receive a tour guides license, students must be citizens or residents of the State of Israel.
Applicants must be able to express themselves verbally.
Applicants must pass the application process, which includes an interview with the Archaeological Seminars staff and the Ministry of Tourism.
Duration of the Course and Framework of Studies
The course lasts approximately 2 years comprised of 450 hours of study in the classroom, not including the study tours. The studies take place every Wednesday evening, Fridays, and a full day study tour. The course also entails 60 days of study tours to get acquainted with the country. The tour days are not consecutive and take place throughout the course on a certain day of the week. There are also tours which take place over two or three consecutive days.
Place of Study
Jerusalem. Notice will be given of the exact location.
Program of Studies
a) Background Studies and Introductions
· Bibliographical guidance.
· Preparing tours by area and subject.
b) Geography and Climate
· Maps for guides.
· Geography of the Middle East and Israel.
· Climate of the Middle East and Israel.
c) Geology and Geomorphology
· Foundations in Geology.
· Foundations in Geomorphology.
· Development and analysis of land formations.
d) Flora and Fauna
· Flora in Israel.
· Fauna in Israel.
e) Religions and Minorities
· Judaism.
· Christianity.
· Islam.
· Minorities in Israel.
f) Archaeology
· Introduction to Archaeology.
· Pre-history, Scriptural Archaeology, Classical Archaeology.
· Ancient Islamic Archaeology.
g) Art and Architecture
· Introduction to Art and Architecture.
· Christian and Muslim Art and Architecture.
· Architecture in Israel from the 19th Century.
h) History of Israel
· Biblical Period.
· Second Temple Period.
· Late Roman and Byzantine Periods.
· Ancient Arabic Period.
· Crusader Period.
· Mameluke Period and Ancient Ottoman Period, until 1799.
· Modernity through today.
i) The State of Israel and Current Affairs
· Administration of the State of Israel.
· Society.
· Religion and State.
· Economics, trade, commerce, agriculture, water.
· The history of the Arab-Israeli dispute and the peace process.
j) Methodology of Guiding
· Typology of incoming tourism to Israel and Israeli tourism.
· Tools and aids for guiding.
· Experience in guiding; administration and organization of a tour.
· Methodology of guiding by target public and subjects.
· Workshops in leadership and activation of a group.
· Manners and conduct.
· Security and safety.
· The tour guide and his connection with tourism sectors.
k) First Aid Course
l) Tours (approximately 60 days)
· Regional tours.
· Tours by subject
Certification and Licensing
After successful completion of the course, including all the required assignments of the course, government examinations and Israeli citizenship;
a graduate of the course receives:
i. Certification of completion from the Archaeological Seminars.
ii. A National Tour Guide License from the Ministry of Tourism.
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