Study the history and various aspects of the culture(s) of the Arab and Islamic World with special emphasis on Egypt. Lectures on History, Language, Literature, Arts, and Religion etc. combined with study tours of important historical and culturalsites in and around Cairo, such as the Pyramids, Al-Azhar mosque,and Alexandria.Lectures and accommodation will be at the campus of the American University in Cairo (final approval still pending).
Course CreditThe course can be taken either as History 173 (3 hrs.) or Arab 199 (up to 5 hrs.). Note that History 173 satisfies the General Education Requirements.
EligibilityThe course is open to U of Istudents. The course is also open to Students from other universities and colleges after enrolling in the University of Illinois Summer session.
CostThe
Cost of the program (airfare from Chicago to Cairo, fees, room, and field
trips) is estimated at $3916 (including $600 for meals/personal expenses).
Information about financial aid is available at the Study Abroad Office
(217-333-6322).
Information about Egypt: If you have any questions about life in Egypt, What to take with you etc, feel free to contact
Dr.
Ken Cuno
k-cuno@uiuc.edu
or
Dr. Marilyn
Booth
m-booth@uiuc.edu
Cultural and Historical information:
Books:A few books that students intending or thinking of going on the program could read are: Max Rodenbeck, Cairo: the City Victorious. The history of Cairo from Pharaonic times to the present. Naguib Mahfuz, Midaq Alley. A novel portraying life in a traditional middle-class quarter of Islamic Cairo in the 1940s. John Esposito, Islam, the Straight Path. An introduction to Islam. Used as a text in Hist. 173 in the Spring. Albert Hourani, A History of the Arab Peoples. An introduction to Arab and Middle Eastern history. Used as a text in Hist. 173 in the Spring.
The
WebTo find out what's going on in Egypt check out these URLs
for news:
*Al-Ahram
Weekly (Egypt), an English weekly published by Egypt's semi-official
newspaper (government owned) [hard copy in Asia Lib.]:
www.ahram.org.eg/weekly.
* Egyptian
government sponsored site containing pictures and information about Egypt
and its culture.
www.sis.gov.eg/sis-imgs/images/frontimg.htm.
* For
Middle East history and culture in general look up Columbia
University Middle East Studies Resources:
www.columbia.edu/cu/libraries/indiv/area/MiddleEast
For more information call or email:
Tel (217) 333-7129
e-benma@uiuc.edu