Georgetown University in Qatar: A Bridge Between Worlds

Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), a branch campus of Georgetown University located in Doha, Qatar, has been serving as a bridge between academic communities in the United States and the Gulf region of the Middle East since 2005. It offers a world-class education in international affairs, drawing on the diverse economic, social, political, and cultural traditions of the region. GU-Q provides a vibrant, multinational community of students, faculty, and staff, fostering a sense of belonging and a supportive environment dedicated to scholarship, learning, and service.

A Campus in Education City

GU-Q is located in Education City, Doha, Qatar. The purpose-built 360,000-square-foot (33,000 m2) building was inaugurated in February 2011 and features a three-story high atrium, an auditorium with a seating capacity for 300 people, and 14 classrooms and lecture halls. It includes offices, classrooms, a library, and other facilities for more than 200 undergraduate and graduate students.

Academic Programs and Curriculum

GU-Q offers a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service (BSFS) degree. In 2015, the university broadened its remit to include executive and professional education and custom training programs, in addition to the primary Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service degree.

Core Curriculum

All GU-Q students complete the same core curriculum requirements as students in Washington, D.C. GU-Q students are required to take two Engaging Diversity courses, one domestic and one global.

Majors

The university offers majors in:

International History (IHIS)
International Politics (IPOL)
International Economics (IECO)

International Economics (IECO)

Eight courses total are required for the IECO major, with three additional courses (ECON 2543, ECON 2544 and MATH 1350) required for entry to the major. Three courses from the IECO applied course list. IECO-4970 Research Project Design or a 4000-level IECO seminar course that has a term paper requirement.

International History (IHIS)

The major in International History (IHIS) in the School of Foreign Service is rooted in the history of diplomacy and international relations, but it goes beyond the study of the formal relationships between states-the traditional subject matter of diplomatic history-to address themes in comparative, trans-regional and global history. Interdisciplinary in focus, the major draws on ideas and methodologies from subjects as varied as anthropology, philosophy, sociology, political science, religious studies, and literature.

The study of history and writing are inseparable. As a form of knowledge based on the interpretation of fragmentary records that survive from the past, all historians use the written word to posit an argument and defend it with evidence. Because historical sources reveal only part of the whole story, no single historical work can ever be fully comprehensive or definitive. As a result, historians continually debate the varying interpretations that emerge between different schools of thought. At its core, historical writing depends on judgment: the thoughtful selection of good research questions and the identification and interpretation of historical sources.

Historians use two types of evidence: primary and secondary sources. Primary sources are documents or other records created at the time of the events under analysis; they come directly from the participants themselves. Secondary sources are the findings of writers who were not direct participants in a historical episode but those who have subsequently investigated primary evidence of it. Works of scholarship are the most common secondary sources students of history will encounter. Sources, whether primary or secondary, do not answer historical questions themselves. Students of history must sift with a critical eye through the information provided in their sources and then rely on their own judgment to construct a historical argument grounded in evidence. In order to determine the reliability of their sources, historians read documents closely and place them in historical context. They ask critical questions to determine who wrote the document, when and where it was created, and for what purpose.

Writing in history takes many forms. Some history papers are organized as narratives that tell stories of people and events in the past; others are more analytical and organized as an essay. Most historical writing incorporates both narrative and analysis. Some papers deal with historiography, that is, how different historians or schools of thought have approached the history of a particular subject. Other papers deal directly with history, analyzing not simply what happened but why and how it happened.

As they move through the SFS Core Curriculum and meet the requirements towards their major, IHIS students repeatedly encounter and practice various forms of historical writing. Students of history are typically asked to write many kinds of papers, including document analyses, book reviews, response papers, bibliographic surveys, historiographical essays, research or exhibit proposals, or research papers. All SFS students, including IHIS majors, take history courses as part of the Core Curriculum. These courses introduce students to writing in the discipline of history through the careful reading and discussion of primary sources and writing assignments that require engagement with the past based on evidence-based analysis and interpretation. In HIST courses in the 1100-2999 range, students continue to work on primary sources, but they will more frequently encounter differing interpretations of modern scholars.

IHIS majors complete a total of eight courses, the majority of which are taught by historians. All IHIS majors are required to take HIST 3105, Global Perspectives on International History, which is a reading and writing-intensive gateway colloquium. In addition, they take four courses selected from an approved IHIS list, including at least one of which must be a seminar (numbered from HIST 3000-4999). They also select three courses, including at least one non-History course, as part of a thematic, regional, or periodic concentration within the major. All IHIS majors take at least two courses numbered HIST 3000+ but most take more than that. These discussion-based seminars require more substantial reading (in both primary and secondary sources) and more complex and substantial writing assignments, including those that require historical research and extensive use of the library. Many IHIS majors go on to complete the year-long Senior Honors Seminar, in which they research and write a significant and original historical thesis under the mentorship of the Seminar director and individual faculty members. In the Honors Seminar, students routinely review and comment on each other’s drafts.

International Politics (IPOL)

International Politics is an interdisciplinary major that explores the processes between actors in the international system. There are currently two core requirements in this major - Scope and Methods for Political Science (IPOL 2170 ) and Quantitative Methods for International Politics (IPOL 3270). The student must also take 7 other courses that have been approved for the IPOL major program.

The IPOL major’s interdisciplinary nature does not lend itself to a narrow set of guidelines, and there is a recognition that no one means of written assessment or writing style should be required across IPOL approved courses. Some will require several shorter papers in the form of book reviews, responses, course papers or assessed quizzes. Others require longer final papers or written examinations. Others again require a combination of both. That said, IPOL is a writing-intensive major and student needs to be able to absorb, analyze and disseminate information on a wide range of issues and topics in written form. All IPOL courses have the goal of building on the core concepts and theories provided to students in Introduction to International Relations (GOVT 1600) and Comparative Political Systems (GOVT 1400).

Minors and Certificates

GU-Q students may complete any combination of three programs to include: 1 major and 2 minors; 1 major, 1 certificate, and 1 minor; 1 major and 2 certificates. Certificate programs mark secondary levels of concentration within the bachelor’s degree. They are strictly optional and are awarded only in conjunction with the undergraduate degree. Certificate programs should be viewed as a means for focusing interests and structuring elective coursework. On occasion students have pursued minors available to SFS students on the DC campus. Please be aware that many of these DC-based minors cannot be completed by GU-Q students as they require foundational courses not offered at GU-Q. Priority enrollment in any course offered at GU-Q is reserved for students completing their core and major requirements.

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Honors Programs

The honors program allows the student to examine a significant scholarly issue in detail and to focus his or her time and attention on an important issue in which he or she is deeply interested. By writing an honors thesis, the student gets a sense of how much he or she enjoys the kind of original research done in graduate school.

International Economics (IECO) Honors Program

Enroll in and pass IECO-4970 in the fall semester and IECO-4980 in the spring semester of the fourth year and submit a senior thesis on an approved topic which is judged to be of honors quality by the economics faculty. The thesis should be in the range of 50-80 pages. The student should speak with his or her thesis advisor to determine the appropriate paper length. A thesis paper can be judged to be of honors quality, but if other requirements are not met, the student can’t earn honors. Submit a complete research proposal using either the proposal form or following the proposal guidelines. Successfully complete two semesters of work dedicated to thesis preparation.

International History (IHIS) Honors Program

Submit a final written thesis that is approved by the IHIS faculty. Give a formal, public presentation of his or her research in the spring semester in which the thesis is completed.

International Politics (IPOL) Honors Program

Final written thesis must gain the approval of a faculty committee, which usually includes the seminar instructor, the curricular dean, and the IPOL field advisor. The thesis should be in the range of 50-80 pages. The student should speak with his or her thesis advisor to determine a paper length.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service in Qatar partners with organizations in Doha to provide academic internship programs for students. These internships greatly enhance Georgetown’s commitment to applied and experiential learning. These experiences provide students with additional context for their classroom learning, and thus a deeper understanding of key academic concepts. Only degree-seeking students studying at GU-Q are eligible. Students apply to work at one of the partner organizations for the fall or spring semester. Students work 10-15 hours per week at a partner organization doing substantive work under the guidance of a mentor at the organization. In addition, students will be registered for INAF 3951 International Affairs Internship for one credit, graded on a pass/fail basis. As part of this course, students complete 10.5 total hours of Georgetown classroom instruction over the semester, which is designed to complement the internship and connect academic skills to applied practice.

The International Negotiation Simulation Exercise in conjunction with Georgetown University’s Institute for the Study of Diplomacy (ISD) and SFS-Qatar, trains students at campuses in Washington, D.C. and Doha in negotiations, decision-making and crisis management. This one-day simulation offers students the hands-on opportunity to practice diplomacy through complex international negotiations and real time crisis decision making activities. The simulation exercises are hypothetical situations based on a current international problem, and participants gain experience in high-level diplomatic negotiations between key players. Students are assigned to teams and special guests and faculty mentors lead the exercise. Participants carefully read a background paper and scenario, and then absorb short “confidential” negotiating instructions. Students have the option to earn academic credit in this program, which is structured over a 1 week period, by completing all mandatory modules and academic components connected to the negotiation lab and the one-day simulation. This experiential learning simulation is usually offered in the fall semester.

Zones of Conflict, Zones of Peace (ZCZP) is one of GU-Q’s academic program, aiming to lead students to explore areas of the world that have been involved in political and military conflicts every semester.

Cross-Registration and Study Abroad

Generally starting with the 4th semester, Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) students may enroll in classes at other Education City Partner Universities pending space available in the class, and the approval of an academic advisor and the Associate Registrar for GU-Q. Generally, students may not take more than one consortium class in a semester and can take no more than four consortium courses over the period of their degree. Complete the Education City Cross-registration form. This is the only form that will be accepted, and must be completed online and printed off for appropriate signatures. Old/handwritten forms will not be accepted. In addition, you must submit a copy of your passport with the registration request form. Registration at the university in which you plan to enroll is on a first-come, first-served basis. By enrolling at another university in Education City, you are agreeing to follow their university rules and policies, which includes attending classes even if GU-Q is closed.

Students who study away from their home campus are exposed to new ideas and perspectives, as well as to peoples, cultures, and values that are different from their own. In the 3rd year, GU-Q students are eligible to apply through a competitive process for the programs offered by the Office of Global Education. Some forms of Qatar-based financial aid cannot be used on these programs. Students should check with their financial aid advisor before making your application to any of these external sites. GU-Q students can also apply through a competitive process for a limited number of slots to study on the Georgetown University campus in Washington, D.C. for one semester in their 3rd year. Most Qatar-based financial aid can be applied to one semester of study on Georgetown’s campuses in Washington, DC and the Georgetown Villa Le Balze Program in Fiesole, Italy; students should check with their financial aid advisors early in the process. Courses taken on main campus are applicable to a student’s BSFS degree and the grades earned factor into a student’s cumulative GPA. GU-Q students may also apply to study in Washington, DC in the summer. This option is open to all students who have completed their first year at GU-Q. Most forms of Qatar-based financial aid will not routinely cover summer study on main campus; students should check with their financial aid advisors before applying. Courses taken on main campus are applicable to a student’s degree and the grades earned factor into a student’s cumulative GPA.

Student Life

About 25 student organizations exist on the school's campus. Student organizations include The Georgetown Gazette, Brainfood, the Women's Society and Development Club, Amal, Hoya Empowerment and Learning Program (HELP), Model United Nations, Photography Club, Senior Class Committee, Performing Arts Club, Fencing Club, The Free Society, Georgetown Business Society (GBS), Students for Justice in Palestine (GUQ-SJP), Southeast and East Asian Student Association (SEA), and the Georgetown Investment Association (GIA).

GU-Q students formed the Middle Eastern Studies Association (MESSA) in 2012 as a forum for organizing an annual global conference to showcase undergraduate research in the social sciences and humanities. The conference is also fully organized by GU-Q students who consult extensively with a faculty board to help select papers for presentation and to peer review papers for possible publication in the annual Journal of the Georgetown University in Qatar Middle Eastern Studies Student Association.

Library Resources

The James Reardon-Anderson Library was the largest library in Qatar before the Qatar National Library was built. The library is one of nine Georgetown University libraries. The library offers online access to more than 2 million scholarly resources and an intercampus loans service with Georgetown's library services in Washington DC. There is also an interlibrary loans services agreement with other universities on the Education City campus and with Qatar University. The Library houses over 90,000 books, and over 6,000 multimedia items. The Library space is open to the public.

Research and Faculty

Past and current research projects have included the study of Islamic bioethics, skills training for migrant workers, food security in Qatar, Arabic language pedagogy for heritage learners, and the history of women in Persian Gulf countries, among many other topics.

Leadership

In April 2021, Georgetown University appointed Safwan M. Masri as the dean of Georgetown University in Qatar.

Admissions

Georgetown University in Qatar has an acceptance rate of 20% for the Class of 2027.

Controversies

Georgetown University is considered the epicenter of Qatari influence in American higher education. Over the past two decades, the Washington, DC, institution has received more than $971 million from Qatar through its Doha campus partnership and targeted endowments - funding that further ensconced extant Islamist influences in the university’s intellectual culture. Qatar’s influence now extends into Georgetown’s governance, with Sheikh Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani- son of the former Emir of Qatar-a member of the university’s Board of Directors, thereby embedding Qatari interests at the highest level of institutional decision-making in America’s capital.

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