islamic architecture
A storied legacy of almost a century of teaching in the field gives the Department of Arab and Islamic Civilizations a unique position in the Middle East. The Department offers a wide range of specializations and degree options. It has world-class, international faculty with diverse course offerings in fields such as Arabic Literature, Middle East History, Islamic Art and Architecture, and Islamic Studies.

News

Graduate Programs

 

 

students attending event in hall

Arabic Studies: MA

The department of Arab and Islamic Civilizations (ARIC) offers Master’s degrees in Arabic Studies with emphases in four fields: Islamic Art and Architecture, Middle Eastern History, Islamic Studies, Arabic Language and Literature.
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students talking and smiling in event hall

Arabic Studies: Graduate Diploma

An opportunity for students who do not plan to pursue doctoral research or academic careers to study the history, culture, religion, literature, and material culture of the Arab and Islamicate worlds.
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Undergraduate Programs

Major and Minors

 

 

islamic architecture

Arabic Studies: BA

Arabic Studies program is to develop a broad awareness of Arab-Islamic civilization and to develop in students the ability to examine critically the different aesthetic, intellectual and cultural components of this civilization. Each student is required to fulfill Arabic language requirements and take a common core of courses from Arabic Literature, Islamic Studies, Middle Eastern History, and Islamic Art and Architecture.
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close up of opened old book in Arabic writing

Arab and Islamic Civilizations Minor

This minor allows students to choose the courses that interest them from the ARIC department's different specializations. They can choose any combination of undergraduate courses in Arabic Literature, Middle East History, Islamic Studies, and Islamic Art and Architecture.
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Rare book at Rare books Library

Arabic Literature Minor

This minor allows students to delve deeper into classical and modern Arabic literary production and read texts in various genres, including poetry, prose, novels, short stories, drama well as film and media adaptations.
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Islamic Architecture

Islamic History Minor

This program allows students to study various aspects of Middle East and Islamic history, both premodern and modern, including political and social history. Courses include chronological surveys of particular time periods and regimes and thematic in-depth analysis of issues relevant to the history of the region, such as marriage and the family, religious diversity, spirituality, popular culture, gender, and class issues.
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Detail of a mosque facade

Islamic Art and Architecture Minor

This minor gives a greater appreciation of the cultural heritage of the Arab-Islamic world to interested students. It focuses on both the built environment and artifacts that survive from different time periods and regions of the Islamic world.
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Islamic Architecture AUC New Cairo Campus Building

Islamic Studies Minor

The minor is designed for students who wish to gain a deeper knowledge and appreciation of Islam as a culture.
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ARIC in Motion

Tracing the Past

Dive into the research of Bernard O'Kane and explore Cairo's rich history through the ornamental stucco found within its mosques and other Islamic architecture.

How ARIC explores the history, literature, art and architecture of the Islamic world.

Amina Elbendary, Associate Professor in the Department of Arab and Islamic Civilizations

Academic Support

Department of Arab and Islamic Civilizations is available to support you and answer questions Sunday through Thursday 9 am- 3 pm. 

 

For general inquiries: 

Please send an email to: aric@aucegypt.edu 

 

For Graduate studies inquiries:

Please send an email to Ellen Kenney, Director of the Graduate Studies: ekenney@aucegypt.edu

For administrative affairs:

Marwa Sabry: msabri@aucegypt.edu

Sherwet Salah:sherwet.salah@aucegypt.edu

 

 

Contact Us

AUC New Cairo, AUC Avenue, P.O.BOX 74, New Cairo 11835, Egypt
Arab and Islamic Civilizations Department
Room 2167, Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Hall (HUSS)
t 20.2.2615.1786 │email:aric@aucegypt.edu