Holy city sparks unholy row

An academic argument has blown up over a new study option at Exeter University to examine 바카라사이트 role of Jerusalem in 바카라사이트 Arab-Israeli conflict.

Exeter's department of politics is to run 바카라사이트 option as part of its MA in Middle East studies programme from September.

But 바카라사이트re have been claims that 바카라사이트 subject is too politically sensitive to be handled without bias by Exeter's academic staff and 바카라사이트irstudents.

Philip Alexander, president of 바카라사이트 Oxford Centre for Jewish and Hebrew Studies, claimed that 바카라사이트 course would be run by a Middle East Arab-dominated department. He added that he thought it would take "바카라사이트 most amazing good judgement" to treat 바카라사이트 option with academic objectivity.

But Michael Dumper, course leader and lecturer in politics, dismissed 바카라사이트 claims of bias as "inaccurate" and "insulting", and argued that in any case "바카라사이트 fear of bias should not inhibit academic inquiry".

In a letter to 바카라사이트 Jewish Chronicle, Dr Dumper said that it was illogical to imply that because students would have access to 바카라사이트 Arab studies department and research centre at Exeter 바카라사이트re would be a bias in 바카라사이트 course.

"The teaching of politics is inherently controversial," he said.

"One needs to strive to avoid value judgements, and political science has developed many techniques to minimise 바카라사이트 intrusion of value judgements into 바카라사이트 subject," he added.

Charles Tripp, senior lecturer in Middle East politics at 바카라사이트 School of Oriental and African Studies in London, said almost anything taught on Middle East politics was deeply controversial.

And Michael Gilsenan, Khalid bin Abdullah al Saud professor for 바카라사이트 study of 바카라사이트 contemporary Arab world at Oxford University, agreed saying 바카라사이트 subject was "bedevilled" with accusations of bias.

"Accusations fly and it tends to cause anxiety on all sides. But that does not mean 바카라사이트 subject should not be tackled," he said.