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Table of Contents

General Information

Undergraduate Studies

• Admissions
• Academic Requirements & Regulations
• Student Finances
• Student Life
• The Core Curriculum
• Fields of Undergraduate Study: Academic Degrees & Course Listings
• Language Institutes
• Study Abroad and Summer Session

Graduate Studies

Research

Continuing Education & Training Programs

Appendix: Personnel & Enrollment

• Core Curriculum Requirements
• The Writing Program
• Scientific Thinking
• Philosophic Thinking
• The Seminar
• Arab History
• Arab Society
• Arabic Literature
• Core Curriculum Electives
• Arabic Language Requirements

Consistent with the institution's commitment to a liberal education, the core curriculum lays a foundation of general education in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Befitting the bicultural character of the university, the core curriculum requires that all undergraduate students undertake the study of Arabic literature, history and society. Furthermore, the core curriculum seeks to supplement the secondary school training of entering students by providing the linguistic, analytical, and study  skills necessary for university work.

The core curriculum carries a total of 40 hours of credit. Of these, 27 are devoted to the Core Curriculum Requirements, designed as a coherent whole and taken in sequence.  All undergraduate degree students are required to complete each course within the Core Curriculum Requirements. An additional 13 credit hours provided by the Core Curriculum Electives are also required of all degree students. The Core Curriculum Electives offer a variety of courses from which undergraduates may choose.

In addition to the Core Curriculum Requirements, some categories of students must take additional Arabic literature and language courses to improve their knowledge of the Arab cultural environment.

Instruction in the core curriculum ranges from small seminars to regular classes to large lectures. Students also receive individual counseling. A final assessment of their work is made in each course. Some courses are given a letter grade, while others are graded on a pass/fail basis. Students who do not obtain a satisfactory standard in a course are asked to repeat it.

The Core Curriculum Program is currently under revision.  All changes will be described in an addendum.

Core Curriculum Requirements

The Core Curriculum Requirements consist of the following courses:

1.The Writing Program (9 credit hours of writing) - students can fulfill these requirements in two ways: ECLT 101 Approaches to Critical Writing (3 cr.), ECLT 102 Integrated Writing (3 cr.), and ECLT 103 Research Writing (3 cr.). ECLT 102 Integrated Writing (3 cr.), ECLT 103 Research Writing (3 cr.), and a 300 level writing course (3 cr.) offered in the Writing Program (e.g. ECLT 320, 321). 9 credit hours 2. Scientific Thinking (SCI 120) 3 credit hours 3. Philosophic Thinking (PHIL 220) 3 credit hours 4. The Seminar (SEMR 200) 3 credit hours 5. Arab History (MEHT /HIST 246) 3 credit hours 6. Arab Society (SOC 210) 3 credit hours 7. Arabic Literature (See Below) 3 credit hours

 

1. The Writing Program

Approaches to Critical Writing (ECLT 101)

Develops proficiency in critical expository writing, critical reading and greater fluency in expression. Focuses on the writing process with an emphasis on developing the student's voice, organizing and developing ideas independently within the context of academic writing. Introduces library research and use of sources. Credit: 3 hrs.

Integrated Writing (ECLT 102)

Develops the skills to produce effective persuasive writing with a focus on organization, content, analysis of readings, critical thinking. Provides training in the use and integration of sources, library and online research. Credit: 3 hrs.

Research Writing (ECLT 103)

Develops the skills to produce extended forms of academic essays and research papers with a focus on the methods of research, process of research paper writing, integration and evaluation of sources, and critical analysis. Prerequisite: ECLT 102 or its equivalent. Credit: 3 hrs.

Business Communication (ECLT 320)

This course focuses on the writing of professional documents, including reports, memos, business letters, and resumes. Also included is the formal presentation of professional reports. Prerequisite: ECLT 103 or its equivalent. Credit: 3 hrs.

Technical Writing (ECLT 321)

This course focuses on the writing of scientific and/or technical reports, memos, and technical users' documents. Particular attention is paid to technical writing in the workplace. Presentation of reports in formal settings is also covered. Prerequisite: ECLT 103 or its equivalent. Credit: 3 hrs.

Placement of Students

Students may be exempted from one or two courses (ECLT 102, 103) by a series of placement exams. These exams are administered by the WP during the first week of classes.

Dropping

Students must take the 100 level Writing Program courses as soon as they are placed into these courses and must take them in immediate sequence. Students may not drop these courses.

2. Scientific Thinking

Scientific Thinking (SCI 120) emphasizes the unifying aspects of the scientific approach to the study of nature and human behavior. About one-third of the course is devoted to a discussion of the nature of scientific inquiry and investigation. The course focuses on the process of fact identification and concept formation and testing. In the remainder of the course students are exposed to applications of the approach in various disciplines.

3. Philosophic Thinking

Philosophic Thinking (PHIL 220) presents various types of philosophical discourse (dialectical, analytical, critical, etc.) stemming from different epochs of philosophy, and dealing with the main subjects of philosophy.  It is introductory and aims to involve students in the philosophical quest.  It tries to bring out the common grounding of the academic disciplines in the "desire to know" and to help students to recognize this desire as something pertaining to human nature.  Philosophy is first shown in its works, and participation in these works is then invited through the communal attempt to understand them.  Finally, unity is sought in variety:  the spirit of philosophy is portrayed through its works. Prerequisite:  SCI 120.  Credit: 3 hrs.

4 . The Seminar

Core Seminar  (SEMR 200)  is an interdisciplinary course in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. Its goal is to foster the critical interpretation of texts. In this course, students read a variety of texts from different disciplines in an attempt to explore new ideas and new approaches to knowledge. Each week, students attend general lectures and then meet with their tutors in small groups to discuss the readings. The Seminar is an integral part of AUC's program of liberal education. By asking questions about human nature, society, culture, and the natural and supernatural worlds, students will develop their critical-analytical skills and broaden their understanding of themselves and the world in which they live. Prerequisites: PHIL 220. Credit: 3hrs.

Core Honors Seminar (SEMR 300) is an interdisciplinary honors course which is an elective sequel to Core Seminar 200. The focus of Core Seminar 300 is the critical exploration of ideas stemming from a selection of texts representing a variety of cultural traditions both past and present. Because Core Seminar 300 is an honors course, students will be expected to demonstrate skills and a degree of commitment that are more advanced than those normally associated with other 300-level courses. Prerequisites: Core Seminar 200 with 3.4 overall GPA and/or consent of the Core Seminar Supervisor. Credit: 3hrs. Offered in  Spring. Grading in this course is on a Pass/Fail system.

5. Arab History

To satisfy the Arab history component of the Core requirements, students must take one of the courses listed below. Credit: 3 hrs.

ARBS 246 321 322 343 344 345 Survey of Arab History, 3 cr. Social and Cultural History of the Middle East, 600-1800 A.D., 3 cr. Land, Trade and Power: a History of Economic Relations in the Middle East, 600-800 A.D., 3 cr. Arab-Islamic Civilization in the Classical Age, 600-945 A.D. , 3 cr. Arab-Islamic Civilization in the Middle Period, 945-1380 A.D., 3 cr. Islamic civilization, 1380-1800 A.D., 3 cr. HIST 355 356 History of the Middle East, 1700-1900 A.D., 3 cr. History of the Middle East in the Twentieth Century, 3 cr.

 

6.  Arab Society

Arab Society (SOC/ANTH 210) offers a description and analysis of social and cultural characteristics and problems of contemporary Arab society, taking into consideration the specific historical, economic, and ideological forces that shape it. Social basis for Arab unity and identity is examined and students receive an introduction to basic concepts and principles for understanding social phenomena. Prerequisite: ARBS/HIST  246. Credit: 3hrs.

7. Arabic Literature

Students who have a Thanawiya ‘Amma certificate or its equivalent must take one course chosen from the following list of Arabic literature courses taught in Arabic:

ARBS 201 202 301 302 303 Introduction to Classical Arabic Literature Introduction to Modern Arabic Literature Classical Tradition I Classical Tradition II Constructions of Modernity I ARBS 304 305 306 307 308 309 311 312 313 314 315 316 Constructions of Modernity II Arabic Literature and Gender Arabic Literature and Film The Writer and the State Colloquial and Folk Literature Selected Themes and Topics in Arabic Literature Classical Arabic Poetry Classical Arabic Prose Modern Arabic Poetry The Arabic Novel Arabic Drama The Arabic Short Story

 

Students who do not have a Thanawiya ‘Amma certificate or its equivalent must take two Arabic literature courses, of which one fulfils the Arabic literature component of the required Core and the second fulfils the Humanities requirement of the elective Core (see "Core Curriculum Electives" below).  They may choose their two Arabic literature courses from those listed above, taught in Arabic, and from the following courses, taught in English:

ARBS 203 204 310 Classical Arabic Literature in Translation Modern Arabic Literature in Translation Selected Themes and Topics in Arabic Literature in Translation

Core Curriculum Electives
The Core Curriculum Electives consist of the following:
1.Four credit hours of natural sciences, selected from

BIOL 100 Introductory Biology BIOL  104/114L Unity of Life and Lab BIOL 105/115L Diversity of Life and Lab CHEM 100 Chemistry and Society CHEM 105/115l General Chemistry and Lab PHYS 100/SCI 150L Conceptual Physics and Lab SCI 104/150L Man and the Environment and Lab SCI 105/150L Science and Technology of Ancient Egypt SCI 109/150L Exploration of the Universe and Lab SCI 250 Introductory Geology

 

2. Three credit hours of social sciences, selected from:

ANTH 202 Cultural Anthropology ECON 201/202 Introduction to Economics I and II JRMC 200 Introduction to Mass Communication JRMC 300 Arab Media: History, Law and Contemporary Issues JRMC 317 Public Opinion and Communication JRMC 400 Mass Media Ethics and Responsibility JRMC 450 World Media Systems and Global Information POLS 201 Introduction to Political Science PSYC 201/202 General Psychology I and II SOC 210 Introduction to Sociology HIST 206 Global Politics in the Twentieth Century

 

3.Three credit hours of humanities and fine arts.

Students may take any course listed under Humanities (except for ARBS 201/203). For courses listed under Theater, Art, Music and Film, students may take any course at the 200, 300 or 400 level. Permission of the instructor is required for all courses. At the 300 and 400 level, written permission of the department chair is needed.

4.Three additional credit hours in any one of the above fields (i.e. natural sciences, social sciences, humanities and fine arts).

The department of a student's major may require the student to take a specific course to fulfill the relevant part of the Core Curriculum Electives, namely in science, social sciences and the humanities.  A student may satisfy the remainder of the Core Curriculum Electives by choosing any other relevant course, other than those from the Core Curriculum Requirements, subject to the approval of the department offering the course. The courses which have received such approval are normally shown as such in the  Schedule of Courses.

However, students who do not have a Thanawiya `Amma certificate or its equivalent must satisfy the Humanities requirement by passing a second Arabic literature course chosen from those listed above under Arabic Literature, section 7 of the Core requirements. Students should note that taking this course in English rather than in Arabic will oblige them to take certain Arabic language courses (see "Arabic Language Requirements" below). They may not take ARBS 201 with 203, or 202 with 204.

 Arabic Language Requirements

The university is set in an Arabic-language speaking milieu, and therefore expects each student to have an appropriate knowledge of the Arabic language. Students who take their Core curriculum Arabic literature course or courses in Arabic are considered to have this knowledge, but those who take one of these courses in translation must also take three credits of literary Arabic language courses, at a level which will be determined by their score in a placement test administered by the Arabic Language Institute. Those students who take both of these courses in translation must also take six credits of literary Arabic language courses, at a level which will be determined by their score in a placement test administered by the Arabic Language Institute. These courses will be treated as electives.