The Pyramids. Luxor and Karnak Temples. Irrigated agriculture. Water wheels. Papyrus
boats that sailed the oceans. The Nile Barrages. Suez Canal. Aswan High Dam. Preservation
of Abu Simbel. El-Salaam Water Project. From ancient times to the present, many of the
world's most impressive engineering feats have occurred in one country – Egypt.

The History of Engineering is a 3-credit course offered jointly by AMIDEAST Education
Abroad Programs in the Arab World and the Faculty of Engineering of Cairo University.
Topics addressed during the course range from ancient engineering feats such as the
temples and monuments of ancient Egypt to ancient and modern water resource
management and irrigation. Preservation and restoration of historic sites, including ancient
monuments, mosques, churches and synagogues will also be covered. These topics are
addressed through lectures, discussions and numerous site visits and excursions.

Arabic Language Extension

In addition to the 3-week History of Engineering program, students can also choose to extend their experience in Egypt by participating in the 4-week Intensive Arabic Summer Session I which takes place the four weeks prior to the History of Engineering course.

Classes meet 5 hours per day, 5 days per week. Each student will receive 100 hours of Arabic language instruction in each session, including both Modern Standard Arabic and colloquial Arabic. One summer session covers the material usually presented in one semester on a U.S. campus.
Students are given placement tests on arrival and placed in the level appropriate for their Arabic language proficiency. The following levels are offered:

Arabic I (Arabic 101; 6 credits)*
Arabic II (Arabic 102; 6 credits)
Arabic III (Arabic 201; 6 credits)
Arabic IV (Arabic 202; 6 credits)
Arabic V (Arabic 301; 6 credits)
Arabic VI (Arabic 302; 6 credits)

Full course descriptions will be posted by February 1, 2012. All courses will be taught using the Al Kitaab series. Arabic I, II, III, and IV will use the third edition; Arabic V and VI will use the second edition.

For students whose proficiency is beyond the advanced level, a tutorial program will be arranged to address their specific interests (Media Arabic; Arabic literature; Classical Arabic texts, etc.)

*Note: Arabic 101 is only offered in summer sessions if there are a number of applicants who do not have any background in the Arabic language. We do not guarantee that this course will be available. Please indicate on your application if you are hoping to enroll in 101.