Dr. Kathy Kamphoefner (Coordinator, Community-Based Learning)

Dr. Kathy Kamphoefner earned her PhD in Communication Studies at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. She specialized in Intercultural Communication, with a regional specialty in the Middle East. She also studied in the Program of Communication and Development Studies. Kathy's MA focused on Interpersonal and Small Group Communication, while her BA is in Sociology, with a minor in English. Kathy taught communication courses for many years in the US, Russia, Israel/Palestine, and Egypt. In her experience as a volunteer in the US, she has worked with hospitalized children, the developmentally disabled, in social movements for peace, women's rights, GBLT rights, and for human rights, while in the Middle East she has worked in violence reduction in Israel/Palestine and for the rights of refugees.

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.

Learn & Serve in Egypt is a unique summer education abroad opportunity for undergraduate students to study in the Middle East/North Africa region and engage in an intense service learning experience with local non-governmental organizations. Students simultaneously study Egyptian Colloquial Arabic, allowing them to practice speaking the most widely understood Arabic dialect, while undertaking an international volunteer placement in Cairo, the Arab world’s most populous city. Students earn a total of 6 academic credits (Community Based Learning, 3 credits and Egyptian Colloquial Arabic, 3 credits). With the addition of cultural activities, dialogue programs with local university students, and excursions, students gain an intimate understanding of the role of organizations in Egyptian society.

2013-14 Tuition and Fees*:
 

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.

Orientation

Egyptology students enroll in 15 credits and choose three Egyptology specific courses, one course from a discipline of his/her choice from the Area & Arabic Language Studies Program, and one Egyptian Arabic course. The purpose is to provide students specializing in Egyptology with some study of the current economic, political, social and cultural reality of contemporary Egypt.  Egyptology courses are taught by some of Egypt's leading faculty.

Egyptian Arabic instruction begins during on-site Orientation and continues as a credit course throughout the semester. Students are placed in classes appropriate to their previous knowledge of Arabic (Egyptian Arabic 121, 221 or 321).

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.