Jerusalem and the Question of Palestine in Syrian Curricula and Theses: Damascus University as a Model (1925–2024)
Date
2026-06-19
Authors
Bushra Khair Bek
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Center for Jerusalem Studies - Al-Quds University
Abstract
Jerusalem and Palestine remain central in Syria's political and cultural discourse, where they are regarded as integral parts of the Arab homeland. Geographically and historically, Palestine and Syria form part of Bilad al-Sham, with Palestine historically serving as the gateway to the Mashriq (the Eastern Arab world).
Jerusalem and the Palestinian question are also present in educational curricula at all levels of basic and university education. Their presence has remained uninterrupted at every stage since the establishment of the nucleus of Damascus University (formerly the Syrian University), which served as a cradle of student political activism rejecting Zionist activity in Palestine and continues to do so to the present day.
This continuity has been maintained through the teaching of Palestine and its cause in the course National Arab Culture, which is compulsory for all first-year students in Syrian universities across all faculties. In addition, several faculties address the Palestinian cause either through dedicated courses or through specific chapters within certain courses.
Furthermore, this topic has also featured prominently in university theses at the master's and doctoral levels, as well as in graduation projects, across a range of disciplines, including political, social, economic, and urban studies.