e-Polis: Humanities from Jerusalem to the World
Tax deductible
About Polis
Polis - The Jerusalem Institute for Languages and Humanities is an academic institution founded in Jerusalem in 2011 by a group of international scholars. Our goal is the renewal of Humanities through the revival of ancient languages and the return to the foundational texts of Western civilization: the Bible, ancient playwrights, historians, poets and philosophers, the Fathers of the Church, etc. Today, Polis has more than 500 students in its different academic programs and language courses.
The Polis method
Polis has developed a method for teaching ancient and modern languages as living ones. It has become the only place in the world where all the main ancient languages such as Latin, ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew, Syriac and Coptic are taught through full immersion. Instead of teaching languages through texts, we teach texts through languages. From day one, the only language spoken, read or written in the classroom is Latin, ancient Greek, Arabic or Hebrew. This makes students feel closer to the language, provides them with the fluency to read the texts directly and without translation, enabling them to make real contributions in the field of humanities.
Graduate and One Year Programs
Polis has introduced two MA programs: one in Ancient Philology and another in Near Eastern Languages. Within each of our Masters, some students follow a one-year program, making shorter studies. We also offer a two years fluency program in Greek. Our programs focus on philology, classical philosophy, languages and the history of the Near East.
Why e-Polis Matters
E-Polis will be the very first online platform offering courses in four ancient languages and several modern ones through a full immersion method: Latin, ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew, Coptic, modern Hebrew, Spoken and Modern Standard Arabic. It will connect Jerusalem to the entire world through languages and Humanities.
Until now our courses and programs were only available to students who have the money and availability to spend a year or two in Jerusalem.
Our e-Polis project aims for:
1- Allowing our international alumni the possibility of pursuing their studies with us after they return back home, either by taking a higher level of the same language or by starting a new language or subject.
2- Offering our courses and materials to anyone anywhere.
What will Funds Pay for?
The project aims to raise 150,000 USD in order to cover the costs to turn Polis into e-Polis. This includes:
-25,000 USD to develop the software application that will connect the Institute with the students.
-75,000 USD to buy the hardware for the platform and install it in our facilities. This includes computers, cameras, projectors, and audio materials.
-25,000 USD to train the teachers, staff and researchers in order to operate the platform and to maintain it.
-25,000 USD to provide a number of our MA students with scholarships for their research on language acquisition through distance learning.
What do our Donors Receive?
Donors pledging over 500 USD will receive a personalized Polis mug with their name written in their favourite language (Latin, ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew, Coptic, Modern Standard Arabic).
Donors pledging over 1,000 USD will get free access to all our online materials.
Donors pledging over 5,000 USD will be offered the chance to participate in one of our language courses for free, getting free access to all our online materials.
On behalf of Polis, its staff and its students and on behalf of the many people around the world who will have a chance to live the Polis experience from their homes, thank you!
Polis - The Jerusalem Institute for Languages and Humanities is an academic institution founded in Jerusalem in 2011 by a group of international scholars. Our goal is the renewal of Humanities through the revival of ancient languages and the return to the foundational texts of Western civilization: the Bible, ancient playwrights, historians, poets and philosophers, the Fathers of the Church, etc. Today, Polis has more than 500 students in its different academic programs and language courses.
The Polis method
Polis has developed a method for teaching ancient and modern languages as living ones. It has become the only place in the world where all the main ancient languages such as Latin, ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew, Syriac and Coptic are taught through full immersion. Instead of teaching languages through texts, we teach texts through languages. From day one, the only language spoken, read or written in the classroom is Latin, ancient Greek, Arabic or Hebrew. This makes students feel closer to the language, provides them with the fluency to read the texts directly and without translation, enabling them to make real contributions in the field of humanities.
Graduate and One Year Programs
Polis has introduced two MA programs: one in Ancient Philology and another in Near Eastern Languages. Within each of our Masters, some students follow a one-year program, making shorter studies. We also offer a two years fluency program in Greek. Our programs focus on philology, classical philosophy, languages and the history of the Near East.
Why e-Polis Matters
E-Polis will be the very first online platform offering courses in four ancient languages and several modern ones through a full immersion method: Latin, ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew, Coptic, modern Hebrew, Spoken and Modern Standard Arabic. It will connect Jerusalem to the entire world through languages and Humanities.
Until now our courses and programs were only available to students who have the money and availability to spend a year or two in Jerusalem.
Our e-Polis project aims for:
1- Allowing our international alumni the possibility of pursuing their studies with us after they return back home, either by taking a higher level of the same language or by starting a new language or subject.
2- Offering our courses and materials to anyone anywhere.
What will Funds Pay for?
The project aims to raise 150,000 USD in order to cover the costs to turn Polis into e-Polis. This includes:
-25,000 USD to develop the software application that will connect the Institute with the students.
-75,000 USD to buy the hardware for the platform and install it in our facilities. This includes computers, cameras, projectors, and audio materials.
-25,000 USD to train the teachers, staff and researchers in order to operate the platform and to maintain it.
-25,000 USD to provide a number of our MA students with scholarships for their research on language acquisition through distance learning.
What do our Donors Receive?
Donors pledging over 500 USD will receive a personalized Polis mug with their name written in their favourite language (Latin, ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew, Coptic, Modern Standard Arabic).
Donors pledging over 1,000 USD will get free access to all our online materials.
Donors pledging over 5,000 USD will be offered the chance to participate in one of our language courses for free, getting free access to all our online materials.
On behalf of Polis, its staff and its students and on behalf of the many people around the world who will have a chance to live the Polis experience from their homes, thank you!
Fundraising team (4)
Polis Institute
Organizer
New York, NY
Association for Cultural Interchange, Inc.
Beneficiary
Hani Elias Tahhan
Team member
Jamie Banks
Team member
Mercedes Rubio
Team member