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Goals and Objectives
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“A Liberal Arts education is a celebration of learning that encompasses pretty much everything: the arts and the humanities, the social sciences and the ‘hard’ sciences, business training and other professional studies. It grounds us in a sound understanding of our own culture and history, but also makes us aware and tolerant of the histories and cultures of others. Liberal learning seeks to emphasize the growth of intellectual self-reliance and independence while encouraging co-operative endeavor. It is the competence to think, analyze and understand independently.” - Former AUC President Thomas Bartlett
The primary aim of AUC’s Core Curriculum is to ensure that all students, regardless of major, receive a strong grounding in the traditional liberal arts and sciences. The Core Curriculum is a body of courses designed to provide a broad liberal arts base for students. It aims to develop basic academic and intellectual traits while enhancing students’ writing skills, as well as their ability to reason and construct a logical argument. It strives to familiarize students with a diverse body of knowledge and intellectual tradition, and helps them understand themselves, in addition to their culture, society and place in the world. It encourages them to address the patterns of rational thought and argumentation that underpin the world’s great intellectual traditions, and introduces them to the ways in which science seeks to comprehend the natural world. In sum, the Core Curriculum lies at the heart of AUC’s commitment to the liberal arts. It is, first and foremost, an education in the fundamentals of learning itself.
General Description
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The Core Curriculum is a body of 10 to 15 courses (30 to 46 credit hours) that all students are required to complete, regardless of major. It is divided into three components.
The Primary Level consists of a set of English and Arabic language requirements (3 to 15 credit hours) and four arts and science courses (13 credit hours). They are designed for AUC freshman and most will complete them during their first three semesters. The four courses include Scientific Thinking, Philosophical Thinking (all students must take both), a natural science course and a freshman requirement in the humanities or social sciences. All students majoring in the fields of science and engineering (except actuarial science) are exempted from the general science elective. In addition, students who demonstrate the appropriate competence may be exempted from up to six credit hours of Arabic language and up to six credit hours of English writing courses.
The Secondary Level consists of four requirements in the social sciences and humanities (12 credit hours) including one course in the general humanities and social sciences; one that deals with world history, culture, society, politics and economics; and two that deal with the history culture, society, politics and economics of the Arab world. Most students will complete one of these four requirements in each semester of their junior and senior years.
The Capstone Level consists of two requirements that students are intended to meet in their senior year or beyond. The goal is to ensure that students meeting the requirements in their senior or fifth year take courses that are designed for seniors, challenge them to the highest level of their ability and prepare them for life after graduation.
I. Primary Level: 16-28 credit hours
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Category 1: English Composition and Communication (3-9 credit hours)
Students may fulfill this requirement by completing one of these paths, based on their placement.
- RHET 101, 102 & 201
- RHET 102, 201, & 300 or 400
- RHET 201 & 300 or 400
- RHET 300 or 400
Category 2: Arabic Language (0-6 credit hours)
All entering students, except those who have passed the thanawiya amma exam or its equivalent, will take an Arabic placement exam. Based upon the exam results, students may be required to take up to two modern standard Arabic courses.
(ALNG 101, 102, or 103; 201, 202 or 203).
Category 3: Information Literacy
Category 4: Fundamental Intellectual Skills Requirement (6 credit hours)
PHIL 220 |
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Philosophic Thinking |
SCI 120 |
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Scientific Thinking |
Category 5: Natural Sciences or Quantitative Thinking (3 credit hours plus 1 lab credit)
Restriction: Students majoring in any of the fields of the School of Sciences and Engineering are exempted from the natural science requirements. Actuarial Science students must take 1 credit hour of Natural Science lab.
(Choose one course with lab) |
BIOL 102 & 150L |
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Essentials of Environmental Biology |
BIOL 103 |
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Introductory Biology |
BIOL 104 |
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Unity of Life |
BIOL 105 |
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Diversity of Life |
CHEM 103 & 150L |
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Chemistry and Society |
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(for students with no Chemistry background) |
CHEM 104 & 150L |
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Man and the Environment |
CHEM 105 & L |
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General Chemistry I |
PHYS 100 & 150L |
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Physics for Poets |
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(for students with no physics background) |
SCI 105 & 150L |
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Science and Technology of Ancient Egypt |
SCI 109 & 150L |
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Exploration of the Universe |
SCI 240 & 150L |
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Chemistry Art and Archaeology |
SCI 250 & 251L |
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Introduction to Geology and Lab |
MACT 112 & SCI 150L |
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Statistical Reasoning |
MACT 199 |
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Selected Topics for Natural Sciences |
Category 6: Humanities or Social Sciences (3 credit hours)
(Choose one course from the 2 sub categories: a humanity or a social science course)
Sub-Category 1: Humanities Option |
ARIC 101 |
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Children’s Literature and Cultural Representations |
ARIC 199 |
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Selected Topics in the Humanities |
ARTV 199 |
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Selected Topics in the Humanities |
CREL 135 |
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Dimensions of the Sacred: Exploring Religious Experience |
ECLT 123 |
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Experiencing Creativity: Texts and Images |
ECLT 199 |
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Selected Topics in the Humanities |
FILM 199 |
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Selected Topics in the Humanities |
HIST 110 |
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World Cultures |
HIST 111 |
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Big History (for freshman) |
HIST 112 |
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History and Historical Fiction |
HIST 114 |
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A History of Modern Imperialism |
HIST 122 |
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Words that made History: Great Speeches of the Twentieth Century |
HIST 123 |
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Family History in the Modern Middle East |
HIST 124 |
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Eve and the Serpent: Witches and Witchcraft in History |
HIST 199 |
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Selected Topics in the Humanities |
MUSC 199 |
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Selected Topics in the Humanities |
RHET 199 |
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Selected Topics in the Humanities |
THTR 199 |
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Selected Topics in the Humanities |
THTR 130 |
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The World of the Theater |
PHIL 100 |
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Reading Philosophy |
PHIL 199 |
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Selected Topics in the Humanities |
SEMR 111 |
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The Human Quest: Exploring the “Big Questions” |
SEMR 112 |
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Who Am I?: Explorations in Consciousness and Self Across the Disciplines |
SEMR 199 |
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Celebrating Ideas: A Voyage Through Books, Art, Film and Theatre |
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Sub-Category 2: Social Science Option |
ANTH 199 |
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Selected Topics in the Social Sciences |
ECON 199 |
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Selected Topics in the Core Curriculum |
EGPT 199 |
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Selected Topics in the Social Sciences |
POLS 101 |
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Introduction to Political Science |
POLS 199 |
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Selected Topics in the Social Sciences |
PSYC 199 |
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Selected Topics in the Social Sciences |
SOC 199 |
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Selected Topics in the Social Sciences |
Most students will complete these requirements in their first three semesters.
II. Secondary Level: 12 credit hours
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Category 1: Humanities and Social Sciences (3 credit hours)
Every student must choose and complete one course from the following sub-category lists. The requirement should be completed by the end of the student’s sixth semester. If the student chooses to meet the primary level Humanities/Social Science requirement by taking a Humanities course, she/he must choose from the list of Social Science options below to meet this requirement. If the student chooses to meet the Primary level Humanities/Social Science requirement by taking a Social Science course, she/he must choose a course from the Humanities options below to meet this requirement.
Sub-Category 1: Humanities Options |
ARIC 206 |
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Art and Architecture of the City of Cairo |
ARIC 270/271 |
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Introduction of Islamic Art and Architecture I |
ARIC 305 |
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Arabic Literature and Gender |
ARIC 306 |
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Arabic Literature and Film |
ARIC 307 |
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The Writer and the State |
ARIC 320 |
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Introduction to Sufism |
ARIC 336 |
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Studies in Ibn Khaldun |
ARIC 337 |
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Shi’I Muslims in History |
ARTV 200 |
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Art Foundations |
ARTV 211 |
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World Art Survey I |
ARTV 212 |
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World Art Survey II |
ARTV 222 |
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Architecture: Art or Engineering |
ARTV 299 |
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Special Topics in the Humanities |
ARTV 310 |
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Modern Art |
ARTV 314 |
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Modern and Contemporary Architecture |
CREL 299 |
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Special Topics in the Humanities |
ECLT 200 |
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Introduction to Literature |
ECLT 201 |
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Survey of British Literature |
ECLT 202 |
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Global Literature in English |
ECLT 299 |
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Special Topics in the Humanities |
FILM 220 |
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Introduction to Film |
FILM 299 |
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Selected Topics in the Humanities |
HIST 203 |
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Western Civilization from Antiquity to the Middle Ages |
HIST 204 |
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Early Modern Europe |
HIST 205 |
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Europe in the Age of Revolution and Reform (1789-1914) |
HIST 211 |
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History in the Making |
HIST/CREL 212 |
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The Quest for the Historical Jesus |
HIST 299 |
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Selected Topics in the Humanities |
HIST 307 |
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The Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Reformation |
HIST 308 |
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Europe in the Age of Reason |
MUSC 220 |
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Introduction to Music |
MUSC 299 |
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Selected Topics in the Humanities |
PHIL 221 |
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Informal Logic |
PHIL 224 |
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Self and Society |
PHIL 226 |
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Philosophy of Religion |
PHIL 230 |
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Introduction to Ethics |
PHIL 299 |
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Selected Topics in the Humanities |
PHIL 344 |
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Literature and Philosophy |
RHET 299 |
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Selected Topics in the Humanities |
THTR 230 |
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Play Analysis |
THTR 299 |
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Selected Topics in the Humanities |
THTR 350 |
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Survey of Dramatic Literature |
THTR 351 |
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History of the Theatre |
THTR 360 |
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Play Writing I |
THTR 361 |
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Play Writing II |
SEMR 200 |
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Core Seminar |
SEMR 299 |
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Selected Topics in the Human Spirit |
SEMR 300 |
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Core Honors Seminar |
SEMR 310 |
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Cross-Cultural Perceptions and Representations |
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Sub-Category 2: Social Science Options |
ANTH 202 |
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Cultural Anthropology |
ANTH 299 |
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Selected Topics in the Social Sciences |
ARIC 323 |
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Marriage and the Family in the Medieval and Early Modern Middle East |
ARIC 324 |
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Non-Muslim Communities in the Muslim World |
ARIC 325 |
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On the Fringes of Society: Marginals in History |
ECON 201 |
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Introduction of Macro Economics |
ECON 202 |
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Introduction of Micro Economics |
ECON 239 |
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Economic History of the Modren Middle East |
EGPT 202 |
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Ancient Egypt |
EGPT 299 |
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Selected Topics in the Social Sciences |
LING 252 |
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Introduction to Linguistics |
PSYC 201 |
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Introduction to Psychology |
PSYC 299 |
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Selected Topics in the Social Sciences |
SOC 201 |
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Introduction to Sociology |
SOC 299 |
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Selected Topics in the Social Sciences |
SOC/PSYC 301 |
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Social Psychology |
Category 2: Arab World Studies (6 credit hours)
Every student must choose and complete two courses from the following list. The requirement should be completed by the end of the student’s sixth semester.
ANTH//SOC 210 |
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Arab Society |
ANTH 312 |
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Peoples and Cultures in the Middle East and North Africa |
ANTH 390 |
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Selected People and Culture Areas (when appropriate) |
ARIC 201 |
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Introduction to Classical Arabic Literature |
ARIC 202 |
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Introduction to Modern Arabic Literature |
ARIC 203 |
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Classical Arabic Literature in Translation |
ARIC 204 |
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Modern Arabic Literature in Translation |
ARIC/HIST 246 |
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Survey of Arab History |
ARIC 309 |
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Selected Themes and Topics in Arabic Literature |
ARIC 310 |
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Selected Themes and Topics in Arabic Literature in Translation |
ARIC 343 |
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Birth of Muslim Community and Rise of the Arab Caliphates |
ARIC/HIST 344 |
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Caliphs and Sultans in the Age of Crusades and Mongols |
CREL 299 |
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Selected Topics for the Core Curriculum |
ECON 239 |
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Economic History of the Modern Middle East |
HIST 247 |
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Making of the Modern Arab World |
HIST 299 |
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Selected Topics in Arab History |
HIST 330 |
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Urban Landscapes in the Modern Middle East / North Africa |
HIST/CREL 333 |
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Zionism and Modern Judaism |
SOC 203 |
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Social Problems of the Middle East |
SOC 206 |
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Arab Family Structure and Dynamics |
Category 3: International/World Studies (3 credit hours)
Every student must choose and complete one course from the following list. The requirement should be completed by the end of the student’s sixth semester.
AMST 299 |
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What is America? |
ANTH 302 |
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Kin and Family in the Global World |
ANTH 320 |
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States, Capital and Rural Lives |
ANTH/LING 352 |
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Language in Culture |
ANTH 360 |
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Gender, Power and Social Change |
ANTH 372 |
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Applied Anthropology |
ANTH 382 |
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Peoples and Cultures of Sub-Saharan Africa |
ANTH 384 |
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Peoples and Cultures of Latin America |
ANTH 386 |
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Peoples and Cultures in Asia |
ANTH 390 |
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Selected People and Cultures Areas |
ARIC 299 |
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Special Topics for the Core Curriculum |
ARIC 345 |
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Gunpowder Empires: Ottomans, Safavids and Mughols |
CREL/HIST 210 |
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Religions of the World |
CREL 220 |
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Hinduism and Buddhism in India |
CREL 230 |
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Pilgrimage Traditions in the World’s Religions |
CREL 299 |
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Selected Topics for the Core Curriculum |
CREL 320 |
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Masters, Saints & Saviors: Sacred Biography in the World’s Religions |
CREL 349 |
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Prayer and Contemplation in the World’s Religions |
CREL/HIST 398 |
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Between Hindu and Muslim in India and Pakistan |
ECLT/HIST 209 |
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Introduction to American Studies |
ECLT 299 |
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Selected Topics for the Core Curriculum |
ECLT 301 |
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Medieval Literature |
ECLT 302 |
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Literature of the Renaissance |
ECLT 332 |
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World Literature |
ECLT 333 |
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African Literature |
ECLT 346 |
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Third World Literature |
ECON 224 |
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Economic History |
HIST 201 |
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History of American Civilization to the Nineteenth Century |
HIST 202 |
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History of Modern American Civilization |
HIST 206 |
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Global Politics in the 20th Century |
HIST 207 |
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World History |
HIST 299 |
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Selected Topics for the Core Curriculum |
HIST 309 |
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History of American Political Thought |
HIST 320 |
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Big History |
LING 200 |
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Languages of the World |
MUSC 225 |
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World Music |
MUSC 255 |
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The Songs of America |
MUSC 360 |
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Music in the Western Tradition |
PHIL 319 |
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Development and Responsibility |
PHIL 356 |
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American Philosophy |
POLS 299 |
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Our Political World |
SOC/ANTH 303 |
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Social Movements |
SOC/POLS 304 |
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Development Agencies |
SOC 306 |
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Sociology of Literature |
SOC 307 |
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Social Class and Inequality |
SOC/ANTH 321 |
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The Urban Experience |
SOC 322 |
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Rural Sociology |
SOC 323 |
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Fundamentals of Population Studies |
SOC/ANTH 332 |
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Social Constructions of Difference: Race, Ethnicity and Class |
SOC/ANTH 370 |
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Environmental Issues in Egypt |
III. Capstone Level: (6 credit hours)
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Category 1: Research and Practical Experience (3 credit hours)
The requirement may be met by selecting one course from a variety of options, including a senior thesis, a senior seminar, or a supervised internship.
Category 2: Community Engagement and International Perspective (3 credit hours)
The requirement may be met by selecting one course from a variety of discipline-specific service learning courses, international study options, international dialogue courses or special seminars in international issues and debates, and the Core Seminar.
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