Oct. 22, 2008 – The great bazaars of the Middle East are hubs for trading spices, jewelry, cloth, exotic carpets, sharing new technologies or exchanging philosophy. Historically, these markets are where diverse cultures came into contact with and learned from each other.

The University of Utah’s Middle East Center Outreach Program and the Utah Museum of Fine Arts will sponsor a workshop on the intricacies of bazaar culture, including the art of negotiation, women at the bazaar and the social life of cities. The workshop will take place Saturday, Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts on the University of Utah campus. The workshop is free and open to the public. A Middle Eastern buffet lunch will be served for $10 per person.

Open to anyone interested in the Middle East, the workshop will specially interest teachers, offering new strategies to introduce the region and its vibrancy to their students. Participants will benefit from small group sessions that incorporate interactive learning and innovative teaching strategies. Hands-on art projects will give students and teachers an opportunity to create items that demonstrate the richness of Middle Eastern culture. Packets containing information and lesson plans will be provided. Teachers are invited to encourage high school students to attend. Relicensure credit is available.

In addition, “The Bazaars of the Middle East Box” will be available to teachers for check-out for use in the classroom. The box contains everything needed to teach about Middle Eastern bazaars, including lesson plans, art objects, pictures, games, books and realia.

Registration is free, but space is limited. To register, call 801-581-5003 or visit the website at www.mec.utah.edu/outreach.