America at a Crossroads — Season 1, Episode 15: Campus Battleground

Episode synopsis

Campus Battleground, a special in the America at a Crossroads series, focuses on the University of California-Berkeley and Columbia University in New York where, in the spring of 2006, pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian students struggle over the competing claims of Zionism and Palestinian nationalism. Since the 1960's, the American university has often been less a free marketplace of ideas than a combat zone where partisan groups forcefully and sometimes fiercely argue their positions on national and world affairs. In recent years, no issue has been more contentious than the conflict in the Middle East. In this film, students debate over what history teaches and whether absolute demands can ever lead to honorable compromise. This seemingly intractable conflict half a world away has forced these students to think about allegiances to family, ethnicity and religion, and above all about the need to take a stand that will define them and their ideals.

About America at a Crossroads

America at a Crossroads is a documentary miniseries concerning the issues facing the United States of America as related to the War on Terrorism. It aired originally on PBS television. The miniseries initially consisted of 11 independently produced aired episodes, and premiered April 15–20, 2007 on PBS. Its executive producers are Jeff Bieber and Dalton Delan; series producer is Leo Eaton and it is presented by Robert MacNeil. Its music score is composed by Canadian musician Mark Korven.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1JIHAD: The Men and Ideas Behind Al Qaeda
• E2Warriors
• E3Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience
• E4Gangs of Iraq
• E5The Case for War: In Defense of Freedom
• E6Europe's 9/11
• E7The Muslim Americans
• E8Faith Without Fear
• E9Struggle for the Soul of Islam: Inside Indonesia
• E10Security Versus Liberty: The Other War
• E11The Brotherhood
• E12Kansas to Kandahar: Citizen Soldiers at War