Dr. Mohammed Ezroura (Academic Coordinator and Professor)

Dr. Mohammed Ezroura is a professor of English and former Vice Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at Mohammed V University-Agdal. He earned his PhD in Comparative Literature and Critical Theory from the University of British Columbia, his MA in the Sociology of Literature from Essex University, and his undergraduate degree in English from Mohammed V University. He served for many years as resident director of the Vassar College study abroad program in Morocco and has been a visiting scholar or professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara; the American Studies Research Center in Hyderabad, India; University of British Columbia; University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee; Vassar College; Lincoln University; Connecticut College; Seoul National University; Cairo University; Edinburgh University; and Stirling University.

Colloquial Moroccan Arabic I (Arabic 111; 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 Moroccans. 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 Moroccan Arabic with native speakers.  Living with a Moroccan family or in a student residence hall with Moroccan students provides daily opportunity for practice.

 Le Maroc et l'Europe: Economie et Politique (Economics 340; 3 credits)

Ce cours vise à décrire et à analyser les différentes étapes de la politique européenne à l'égard du Maroc et ce, plus précisément depuis le processus de Barcelone de 1995. Cette politique économique est jalonnée par un certain nombre d'enjeux, de contraintes et d'opportunités pour les deux parties marocaine et européenne. Le cours visera à la fois une analyse critique de cette politique et tentera d'aborder l'implicite de cette politique en termes d'intérêts différentiés/mutuels que de valeurs partagées.

The bustling city of Cairo serves as an excellent environment in which to learn Modern Standard and Egyptian colloquial Arabic. For those students looking to quickly improve their Arabic, they can enroll in a rigorous 4-week or 8-week intensive summer session in the heart of the Arab world. Classes are held in AMIDEAST’s central facilities in Dokki on the west bank of the Nile and students are housed in shared apartments in Dokki. In addition to high-quality Arabic instruction, AMIDEAST works tirelessly to take advantage of the unique environment in which our programs are held by combining classroom instruction with experiential field visits and activities in the vibrant city of Cairo.  Students also participate in an overnight excursion outside Cairo.

Rabat is one of Morocco’s “imperial cities,” as well as its political capital. It is home to the leading educational institutions in the country and offers students opportunities to move from the shops and cafes of the “European” city to the winding alleys and exciting markets of the old medina in a few minutes’ walk.

The AMIDEAST Education Abroad Regional Studies in French Program in Rabat offers a diverse set of courses taught in French on Morocco in its Muslim, Arab, African and Mediterranean contexts. In addition, students learn Moroccan Arabic and have the opportunity to study Modern Standard Arabic if they so desire. Students in the program live either with French-speaking Moroccan families or in a private Moroccan student residence hall.

The program is managed by AMIDEAST/EGYPT in conjunction with AMIDEAST headquarters in Washington, D.C. AMIDEAST works collaboratively with Arab Academy to oversee the academic curriculum and implementation of the program. It also manages all logistical elements of the program, including the on-site orientation, student accommodations, arrangements for excursions, and the planning of special events and extra-curricular activities. Finally, AMIDEAST provides comprehensive support to both participants and administrators in the event of any problems or unusual circumstances.

Founded in 1998 based on an initiative of His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi Bin Muhammad, the Institute of Traditional Islamic Arts and Architecture (ITIAA) is the first institute in the Arab world entirely dedicated to teaching and the preservation of traditional arts and architecture of Islam.  It operates under the aegis of the Aal Al Bayt Foundation for Islamic Thought. Beginning with the mastery of geometry, biomorphic design, and calligraphy, students learn the three main ornamentations found in Islamic art. Later, students may move on to more traditional crafts such as wood-working, gypsum carving, ceramics, brass-working, and manuscript calligraphy.

Traditional Islamic Art (3 Credits)

Egypt is home to one of history’s first great civilizations. Situated at the northeastern most point of Africa, Egypt has long acted as a bridge between cultures of the Middle East and Mediterranean Basin and the peoples of Africa. Egypt’s nearly 80 million inhabitants rub shoulders with history daily, from the Pyramids and Sphinx of Ancient Egypt, to Roman ruins, from Fatimid mosques, and the ancient Khan el-Khalili market, to modern marvels such as the Aswan Dam. Here, visitors have the opportunity to experience life in a Muslim country and experience unique heritage and traditions of Egypt. Whether enjoying an evening falucca ride down the Nile, exploring a desert oasis, or wandering through ancient markets, each experience in Egypt offers rich insight into its remarkable culture. With its rich culture and exceptional history, Egypt offers unbeatable cross-cultural learning experiences for study abroad students.