AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FACULTY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES ACADEMIC YEAR 2009-2010 TABLE OF CONTENTS Part I Summary Report of the Office of the Dean Dean P. McGreevy P. 1-4 Part II Reports of the Standing Committees Advisory Committee………………………………………. Dr. P. McGreevy P. 6 Curriculum Committee…………………………………….. Dr. A. Lyzzaik P. 8 Graduate Committee………………………………………. Dr. R. Talhouk P. 11 Library Committee………………………………………… Dr. H. Genz P. 20 Research Committee………………………………………. Dr. A. Abdel Rahman P. 21 Student Academic Affairs Committee……………………. Dr. M. Tabbal P. 29 Student Disciplinary Affairs Committee…………............... Dr. A. Clary P. 35 Undergraduate Committee………………………………… Dr. B. Kaafarani P. 37 Part III Reports of the Academic Units Anis Makdessi Program in Literature…………………... Dr. M. Jarrar P. 46 Arabic and Near Eastern Languages Department………. Dr. R. Baalbaki P. 58 Biology Department…………………………………….. Dr. C. Smith P. 73 Center for Arab and Middle Eastern Studies …………… Dr. J. Meloy P. 109 Center for American Studies and Research …………….. Dr. R. Myers P. 115 Center for Behavioral Research ……..…………………... Dr. S. Khalaf P. 120 Center for English Language Research and Teaching …... Dr. K. Shaaban P. 124 Chemistry Department …………………………………... Dr. M. El-Ghoul P. 126 Civilization Sequence Program ….………………………. Dr. R. Smith P. 150 Computer Science Department…………………………... Dr. A. Nasri P. 165 Economics Department………………………………….. Dr. S. Neaime P. 180 Education Department…………………………………… Dr. G. Ghaith P. 193 English Department……………………………………… Dr. A. Zenger P. 218 Fine Arts and Art History Department……………….….. Dr. H. Franses P. 250 Geology Department…………………………………….. Dr. A. Abdel Rahman P. 266 History and Archeology Department…………….………. Dr. S. Seikaly P. 278 Institute of Financial Economics………………………… Dr. S. Neaime P. 294 Mathematics Department………………………………... Dr. H. Abu Khuzam P. 304 Philosophy Department………………………………….. Dr. B. Haidar P. 321 Physics Department……………………………………… Dr. S. Isber P. 331 Political Studies and Public Administration……………... Dr. R. Antoun P. 347 Sciences and Mathematics Education Center ……….….. Dr. S. Bou Jaoude P. 360 Social and Behavioral Sciences……………….................. Dr. N. Dajani P. 362 University Preparatory Program…………………………. Ms. R. Shaaban P. 389 PART I SUMMARY OF THE OFFICE OF THE DEAN OFFICE OF THE DEAN FACULTY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES REPORT TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES This report on the Faculty of Arts and Sciences covers the period from October 1, 2009 to September 30, 2010. A. NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION During the first semester, the freshman class saw 425 new students registered, while the sophomore class saw 482 registered. This was a significant increase in admission to both classes from the previous year. During the second semester, the freshman class saw 71 new students registered while the sophomore class saw 61 new students registered. The current policy of admission in FAS is to keep the student population in the sophomore class in FAS at the same levels as for the previous academic years but to increase the number of students at the freshman level if possible. The graduate program saw 132 (115 graduates and 17 prospective graduates) new students enrolled during the first semester. During the second semester, the graduate class saw 65 (55 graduates and 10 prospective graduates) new students registered. The UPP (University Preparatory Program) saw 22 registered in September 2009 out of a total of 27 accepted applicants. This represents a decrease in registration in this program in relation to the same period of 2008-09. Six new UPP students registered in the second semester out of nine accepted applicants. During the first semester, the total enrollment at the undergraduate level was 2723, while at the graduate level it was 421, in addition to twelve students at the PhD level. During the second semester, the total enrollment at the undergraduate level was 2663, while at the graduate level it was 420, in addition to nine students at the PhD level. 1 B. STUDENT ADMISSIONS The University Unified Admissions Committee (UUAC), with representation from all Faculties, has met and acted on all applications. Early admission to the University by the UUAC has resulted this year in 280 applicants being admitted to the sophomore class and 82 to the freshman class in FAS. Furthermore, 1273 applications for admission to the freshman class were received and 702 applicants were issued letters of acceptance to-date for the first semester of 2010-2011, including early admissions. Additionally, 1825 of 2983 applicants for admission to the sophomore class (including early admissions) were issued letters of admission. It is to be noted that many of these accepted applicants represent students applying to other Faculties at AUB also. The faculty acted on 34 applications to the UPP (University Preparatory Program), and to date 23 have been accepted for the first semester. C. CURRENT FACULTY NUMBER AND COMPOSITION The teaching program involved 274 faculty members, 155 graduate assistants for the first semester and 156 for the second. During the first semester, a total of 6382 students were enrolled in 453 different courses (equivalent to 1092 courses and sections). A total of 6339 students were enrolled in 479 different courses (equivalent to 1083 courses and sections) during the second semester. There were 274 budgeted full-time faculty lines in FAS for 2009-2010, all of which were filled. Of these, 228 were used for full-time contracts with the balance used for part-time appointments. Fulltime appointments were distributed as follows: 152 in the professorial ranks (assistant, associate, and full professors), 71 in ranks of instructor and lecturer, two assistant instructors and 3 research associates. This includes all faculty members on paid junior and research leaves (25 in total for both semesters). D. PROFESSORS ON LEAVE, 2009-10 Thirteen professors were on paid research leave during the academic year. Eight were on leave (one maternity) during the first semester, four during the second semester, and one for the whole academic year. Ten other faculty members, financed by university funds, were also on junior paid leaves; four during the first semester of 2009-2010 and six during the second semester. Two faculty members were on leave without pay during 2009-10. 2 E. PROFESSORS ON LEAVE, 2010-11 Several requests for leave without pay and paid research leaves for 2010-2011 were considered by the Advisory Committee of FAS. To date four professors have been granted leaves without pay for 2010-2011: three for the whole academic year and one for the first semester. Nine professors have been granted paid research leaves for the academic year 2010-2011: one for the whole academic year 2010-2011, five for the first semester and three for the second semester. Eleven faculty members were granted junior faculty research paid leaves for the academic year 2010-2011: four for the first and seven for the second semester. F. FACULTY RECRUITMENT A total of 772 applications have been received for faculty positions that were advertised in the Faculty starting September 15, 2010. After consultation with the departments and the Advisory Committee, 24 offers have been made so far, 21 offers have been accepted and 3 have been declined. The national distribution of those who accepted our offer are: 6 Lebanese, 12 US citizens, and one each from: Britain, Croatia, and Australia. One visiting position is filled within the Edward Said Chair in American Studies for the second semester, one for the Alfred H. Howell Endowed Chair in History and Archaeology and one for the Whittlesey Chair in History and Archaeology. G. APPLICATIONS FOR PROMOTION Eleven applications for promotion were received by the deadline of September 15, 2009. Seven applications were for the promotion to the rank of full professor and four for the rank of associate professor. The promotion cycle resulted in all faculty members being promoted. H. GENERAL REMARKS Dr. Malek Tabbal joined FAS as Associate Dean in Fall 2009. Dr. John Meloy joined as a second Associate Dean in Fall 2010. The FAS Academic Committee, consisting of chairs and directors, was given new importance as a forum for faculty discussion and communication. It met almost twice a month. The president, the provost, and several vice-presidents visited sessions. A 3 special session dedicated to strategic planning with regard to development was attended by several representatives from the Office of Development. A number of initiatives were made to enhance advising and other student processes in the faculty. These will continue to be a focus in 2010-2011. New computers with locked desks were installed in 12 classrooms in Nicely Hall. More classroom renovations are scheduled for summer 2011. Work on the renovation of the Science Lecture Hall is nearly complete. The vastly improved facility will be ready before the beginning of spring semester 2010-2011. A large number of lectures, workshops, and conferences were sponsored by FAS centers and departments in 2009-2010. The CAMES Summer Arabic Program has grown and been enhanced. Plans are underway for further expansion over the next several summers. Patrick McGreevy Dean Faculty of Arts and Sciences 4 PART II REPORTS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES 5 ADVISORY COMMITTEE A. MEMBERSHIP Chairperson: Patrick McGreevy, Dean Members: Abi Khuzam, F., Professor, Mathematics Haydar, B., Professor, Philosophy Isber, S., Professor, Physics Jurdak, M., Professor, Education Neaime, S., Professor,