Undergraduate Studies
Dean of Undergraduate Studies
The Dean of Undergraduate Studies oversees The Academy of Liberal Arts which administers several cross-curricular programs that serve to strengthen AUC’s liberal arts mission by supporting high impact teaching practices and student centered learning experiences. The Core Curriculum is at the center of these programs, the academic centerpiece of every student’s liberal arts curriculum, regardless of major. In addition, The Academy of Liberal Arts administers the Academic Advising Center, The Academic Community Engagement Program, The Undergraduate Research Program, The Writing and Communication Center, and The Common Reading Experience. The Academy of Liberal Arts works in close collaboration with all academic programs to support first year and undeclared students in transitioning to the university by furthering the integration and coordination of teaching and learning across the curriculum and serving overall as an advocate for undergraduate students at AUC.
Academic Advising Center (AAC)
The mission of the Academic Advising Center (AAC) at AUC is to provide academic advising and assist all undeclared undergraduate students in developing their educational plans, and setting career and life goals while helping them appreciate the values of liberal arts education until they declare their major. This is done through advising and mentoring systems offered to students throughout their year(s) at the center. Once they declare a major, the students should receive the same service in their department of major while the center will continue providing the needed academic support, advice and help regarding the Core Curriculum and general academic rules and regulations. AAC operates on the basis of shared responsibility where AUC community (faculty, student and staff) interact and coordinate efforts to achieve advising goals and desired student outcomes from admission to graduation.
One of the goals of AAC is to provide developmental advising, a process that involves both teaching and learning as it engages the students actively in their education and helps them to develop a sense of responsibility for their academic choices. Continuity and follow up on the student’s academic, mental, intellectual, psychological and post-graduate planning status on a one-on-one basis are fundamental practices and assessment of the center’s goals and outcomes is integral.
The Core Curriculum
At AUC, every student pursues two kinds of programs that integrate seamlessly to produce one transformative educational experience. All students enroll in a major-a specialized program of studies, in which they complete the courses of their chosen discipline or professional field. This gives them depth in a particular field. In addition, every student completes an unspecialized program that brings together students from all majors-the Core Curriculum. The Core Curriculum is the centerpiece of our liberal arts education and the core of the learning experience at AUC. Students engage in an interdisciplinary, diverse journey of learning that does not restrict their learning to knowledge or skills in only one particular field, giving them breadth of knowledge and transferable skills for lifelong learning.
Core Curriculum courses have the goal of developing the liberal arts skills of critical thinking, critical reading and written communication, collaboration, information literacy, digital literacy, and civic engagement, as well as an understanding of issues that affect humanity that are relevant to all disciplines. Core Curriculum courses assist students in understanding their place in the world-socially, culturally, intellectually, and historically.
Dialogue Program
The Dialogue Program courses are courses where students engage in cross-cultural dialogue with students on other campuses, incorporating various mediums such as videoconferencing technologies. The courses give the students the opportunity to explore the dialogue process with counter-partners from around the globe, discussing topics that range from current local events to a wide variety of global socioeconomic, political and cultural issues.
The Academic Community Engagement Program (ACE)
The Academic Community Engagement Program at AUC aims to support and foster Community-Based Learning, which is a methodology that advances articulated learning goals through student service to a partner community. Launched from the classroom and lectures, readings, and discussions, students apply academic theories and innovative thinking in co-developmental, hands-on service with local, Egyptian, and international communities. Students reflect on the changes within themselves, within the partners they’ve worked with, and within the community at large to assess the impact of civic engagement and responsibility on self, others, and the world.
Designation: Community-Based Learning courses are designated as “Course Title: Community-Based Learning” on the Schedule for Classes/Registrar. (ex: “Grant Writing: Community-Based Learning”).
Undergraduate Research Program
The Undergraduate Research Program institutionalizes, supports and expands opportunities for undergraduate student research, entrepreneurship and creative achievement. It nurtures amongst the academic community, across the disciplines, a culture of research and development, and the drive to advance the liberal education outcomes of undergraduate inquiry and critical and creative competence.
Among other programs and services, the Program adminsters a conference and mini-grant program for undergraduate researchers and hosts the yearly EURECA conference featuring student research and creative work.
Mohamed Taymour Writing and Communication Center
The Writing and Communication Center helps graduate and undergraduate students in all disciplines improve their writing skills and communication abilities. The Center offers assistance to students at any stage in the writing process - whether brainstorming ideas for an essay, Master’s thesis proposals, or any specific issues related to structure, language, citations or otherwise as well as providing feedback on presentations. They also assist faculty members in the effective use of writing components in their courses and offer tailored workshops upon request.
The Common Reading Experience (CRE)
Reading offers people a way to explore, a way to be inspired, a way to connect, and a way to grow. The Common Reading Experience helps create engaging and shared reading opportunities for the AUC community. The program helps promote reading among students, faculty, administration, and staff across AUC. Discussions, reading circles, forums, guest speakers and more allow participants to go even deeper in their engagement with the CRE texts.
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