Learn and Serve in Egypt (Community-Based Learning MENA 390, 3 credits; Colloquial Egyptian  Arabic, 3 credits)

Community-Based Learning in the MENA Region (MENA Studies 390; 3 credits)

This six-week summer course offers students first-hand, experiential learning about the role of non-governmental, private voluntary and media organizations in an Arab society through community-based learning. The course enables students to examine social issues from multiple perspectives, read relevant texts, participate in projects related to the fields of education, human development, human and civil rights, journalism or social services, engage in direct service with partner agencies, and reflect academically on their experience. Guided and facilitated by the course instructor, students are expected to spend approximately 12-15 hours at their community placement work-site each week and submit weekly journal entries reflecting on their experiences, in addition to designing and delivering a final service learning project to be shared with a larger audience. This course is intended to deepen and broaden the students’ interactions with their host countries, as well as provide a solid analytical framework to enhance their study abroad program in Egypt. The Community-Based Learning portion of the program carries 3 credits.

In addition to the Community-Based Learning course, students take a 3-credit Egyptian Colloquial Arabic course at AMIDEAST to support their service learning experience and strengthen their ability to practice their Arabic language skills at their community placement work-site. Classes meet 2 hours per day, 5 days per week (a total of 60 hours of instruction, equivalent to a semester course on a U.S. campus).

The following levels are offered (see course descriptions above from semester program):
Colloquial Egyptian Arabic I (Arabic 121; 3 credits)
Colloquial  Egyptian Arabic II (Arabic 221; 3 credits)
Colloquial Egyptian Arabic III (Arabic 321; 3 credits)

Colloquial Egyptian Arabic I (Arabic 121; 3 credits)

Students are introduced to words, expressions, and structures used frequently in everyday life. Students practice them in class before they are given assignments to carry out with native speakers in real situations. Evaluation combines performance in class and successful interaction with Egyptians. By the end of the course, students are able to ask essential questions and understand the responses, express basic facts and opinions in simple sentences, and engage in basic conversations in Egyptian Arabic with native speakers. Living in Cairo will provide daily opportunity for practice.

Colloquial Egyptian Arabic II (Arabic 221; 3 credits)

Students who have already studied Modern Standard Arabic are introduced to words, expressions, and structures used frequently in everyday life in Egypt. Students practice them in class before they are given assignments to carry out with native speakers in real situations. Evaluation combines performance in class and successful interaction with Egyptians. By the end of the course, students are able to ask essential questions and understand the responses, express facts and opinions in simple as well as complex sentences, and engage in conversations in Egyptian Arabic with native speakers about non-academic topics. Living in Cairo will provide daily opportunity for practice.

Colloquial Egyptian Arabic III (Arabic 321; 3 credits)

Students with a strong background in Modern Standard Arabic are introduced to vocabulary, expressions, and structures used frequently in Egyptian everyday life. Students practice them in class before they are given assignments to carry out with native speakers in real situations. Evaluation combines performance in class and successful interaction with Egyptians. By the end of the course, students are able to ask questions and understand the responses, express facts and opinions in complex sentences, and engage in conversations in Egyptian Arabic with native speakers about a wide range of topics, both academic and non-academic. Living in Cairo will provide daily opportunity for practice.