This course offers students a comprehensive understanding of the political and social scene in Egypt today. Students engage in a wide range of onsite lectures, starting with the founding of modern Egypt by Muhammad Ali in the early 19th century, continuing through British occupation and the Egyptian monarchy up to the revolution in 1952. The course traces the development of the republican government through the presidencies of Gamal Abdul Nasser, Anwar Sadat, and Hosni Mubarak in establishing political legitimacy. It then continues by examining the January 25th Revolution of 2011 and its aftermath. Lectures will also focus on Egypt's regional and international role, the system of governance, elections, civil society, gender and human rights, political parties, Islamic movements, and media. The objective of the course is to understand the historical, cultural, economic, social, and political forces in Egypt today as it evolves from a stable authoritarian regime into a new democracy. Guest lecturers come from civil society organizations, think tanks and political groupings, and students will visit key organizations as well. In addition to the 3-week Contemporary Egyptian Politics program, students can also choose to continue their experience in Egypt by participating in the 4-week Intensive Arabic Summer Session II which begins one week following the close of the Politics course.
Other Program Features
In addition to the formal lectures and meetings, students will be introduced to the Egyptian Colloquial Arabic language, engage their Egyptian peers in dialogues, participate in numerous cultural activities, visit historical sites in and out of Cairo, and meet with representatives from Egyptian governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Orientation on Arrival
Upon arrival in Cairo, AMIDEAST Education Abroad Program students participate in an orientation designed to introduce them to Egyptian culture and daily life and familiarize them with the logistics of the program. Topics such as safety and health, cultural adjustment, program regulations, participant responsibilities and other essential information are all discussed during orientation.
Course Coordinator – Dr. Riham Bahi
Dr. Riham Bahi is an Assistant Professor at Cairo University in the Faculty of Economics and Political Science and a Visiting Assistant Professor at the American University of Cairo. Dr. Bahi earned her PhD in International and Public Affairs from Northeastern University in Boston, where she also received her MA in International Relations and Comparative Politics. Dr. Bahi also serves as the Dialogue Coordinator at the Center for Civilization Studies and the Dialogue of Cultures. She has over ten years experience teaching American and Egyptian undergraduate and graduate students, and is very familiar with both the U.S. and Egyptian educational systems and pedagogies. She has received many honors, including a Fulbright Pre-Doctoral award and expert credentials from the Center for Effective University Teaching at Northeastern University. Her research interests include global and transnational aspects of political Islam and U.S. relations with the Muslim world.
Excursions
Students participate in program-organized excursions both in and around Cairo to visit major attractions and historical sites. Excursions will include visits to:
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Pyramids, Egyptian Museum, Citadel, Islamic
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Cairo and Coptic Cairo
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Alexandria
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Ain Sokhna
Transcripts
Students receive credit for their program through an AMIDEAST grade report or (if requested) through AMIDEAST's Institution of Record, Northeastern University. This Northeastern University transcript will carry an additional fee.
