AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FACULTY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES ACADEMIC YEAR 2012-2013 Dr. Peter Dorman President American University of Beirut Beirut, Lebanon October 2013 Dear Mr. President, Please find enclosed the Annual Report of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences for the academic year 2012-2013. This report was written by the chairpersons and/or directors of the academic units and of standing committees of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and edited in the Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office. Patrick McGreevy Dean of the Faculty TABLE OF CONTENTS Part I Summary Report of the Office of the Dean Dean Patrick McGreevy P. 1 Part II Reports of the Standing Committees Advisory Committee………………………………………. Dean Patrick McGreevy P. 7 Curriculum Committee…………………………………….. Dr. Lara Halaoui P. 9 Graduate Committee………………………………………. Dr. Sawsan Kreydiyyeh P. 12 Library Committee………………………………………… Dr. Sirene Harb P. 19 Research Committee………………………………………. Dr. Tarek Ghaddar P. 20 Undergraduate Student Academic Affairs Committee…….. Dr. Malek Tabbal P. 26 Student Disciplinary Affairs Committee…………............... Dr. Bana Bashour P. 32 Undergraduate Admissions Committee…………………… Dr. Hans D. Muller P. 35 Part III Reports of the Academic Units Anis Makdisi Program in Literature…………………..… Dr. Nader El-Bizri P. 46 Arabic and Near Eastern Languages Department………... Dr. David Wilmsen P. 49 Biology Department……………………………………... Dr. Khouzama Knio P. 61 Center for Arab and Middle Eastern Studies …………….. Dr. Waleed Hazbun P. 90 Center for American Studies and Research ……………… Dr. Alex Lubin P. 100 Center for Behavioral Research ……..………………….... Dr. Samir Khalaf P. 107 Center for Language Research and Teaching ….....…...… Dr. Kassim Shaaban P. 109 Chemistry Department …………………………………... Dr. Mazen El-Ghoul P. 112 Civilization Sequence Program ….……………………….. Dr. Maher Jarrar P. 130 Computer Science Department…………………………... Dr. George Turkiyyah P. 150 Economics Department………………………………….. Dr. Nisreen Salti P. 164 Education Department…………………………………… Dr. Ghazi Ghaith P. 176 English Department……………………………………… Dr. David Wrisley P. 200 Fine Arts and Art History Department……………….….. Dr. Thomas Kim P. 232 Geology Department…………………………………….. Dr. A. Abdel Rahman P. 241 History and Archeology Department…………….………. Dr. Helen Sader P. 250 Institute of Financial Economics………………………… Dr. Simon Neaime P. 267 Mathematics Department………………………………... Dr. Hazar Abu Khuzam P. 280 Philosophy Department………………………………….. Dr. Ray Brassier P. 293 Physics Department……………………………………… Dr. Samih Isber P. 304 Political Studies and Public Administration……………... Dr. Thomas W. Haase P. 317 Psychology Department……….……………………….... Dr. Charles Harb P. 335 Sociology, Anthropology and Media Studies…….....….... Dr. Sari Hanafi P. 348 University Preparatory Program…………………………. Dr. Samar Harkous-Rihan P. 365 Zaki Nassif Music Program……………………………… Dr. Nabil Nassif P. 370 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 of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences covers the period from September 17, 2012 to August 30, 2013. A. NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION During the first semester, the freshman class saw 361 new students registered, while the sophomore class saw 604 registered. This was an increase in admission to both classes from the previous year. During the second semester, the freshman class saw 42 new students registered while the sophomore class saw 57 new students registered which was a slight increase in admission to both freshman and sophomore classes from the previous year. The current policy of admission in FAS is to keep the student population in the sophomore class in FAS at the same level as in the previous academic years but to increase the number of students at the freshman level, if possible. The graduate program saw 107 (82 graduates, 13 prospective graduates and 12 special graduates) new students enrolled during the first semester. During the second semester, the graduate class saw 68 (53 graduates, 9 prospective graduates and 14 special graduates) new students registered. The UPP (University Preparatory Program) saw 20 new registered in September 2012 out of a total of 42 accepted applicants. This represents an increase in registration in this program in relation to the same period of 2011-12. Nine new UPP students registered in the second semester out of thirteen accepted applicants. During the first semester, the total enrollment at the undergraduate level was 2,736 including fifty in UPP, while at the graduate level it was 412 including fifteen prospective graduates and thirteen special graduates, in addition to 24 students at the PhD level. 1 During the second semester, the total enrollment at the undergraduate level was 2,582 including 45 in UPP, while at the graduate level it was 436 including 15 prospective graduates and 16 special graduates, in addition to 24 students at the PhD level. B. STUDENT ADMISSIONS The University Unified Admissions Committee (UUAC), with representation from all faculties, met and acted on all applications. Early admission to the University by the UUAC has resulted this year in 282 applicants being admitted to the sophomore class and 96 to the freshman class in FAS. Furthermore, 837 applications for admission to the freshman class were received and 605 applicants were issued letters of acceptance to-date for the first semester of 2013-14, including early admissions. Additionally, 2,084 out of 3,062 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 24 applications to the UPP (University Preparatory Program), and to date 21 have been accepted for the first semester. C. CURRENT FACULTY NUMBER AND COMPOSITION The teaching program involved the equivalent of 337 full-time faculty members, plus 160 graduate assistants for the first semester and 162 for the second. During the first semester, a total of 6,388 students were enrolled in 472 different courses (equivalent to 1,145 courses and sections). A total of 6,229 students were enrolled in 502 different courses (equivalent to 1,127 courses and sections) during the second semester. There were 285 budgeted full-time faculty lines in FAS for 2012-13, all of which were filled. Of these, 249 were used for full-time contracts with the balance used for part-time appointments. Fulltime appointments were distributed as follows: 185 in the professorial ranks (assistant, associate, and full professors), 64 in ranks of instructor and lecturer, two assistant instructors. This includes all faculty members on paid junior and research leaves. D. PROFESSORS ON LEAVE, 2012-13 2 Eighteen professors were on paid research leaves during the academic year 2012- 13. Eleven were on Periodic Paid Research Leaves (seven in the fall and three in the spring, and one for both semesters). Another seven were on Junior Paid Leaves (three in the fall and four in the spring). One faculty member was on leave without pay during the fall semester. In addition, two professors were seconded on REP assignments for the academic year 2012-13. E. PROFESSORS ON LEAVE, 2013-14 Twenty-five professors will be on paid research leaves during the academic year 2013-14. Fourteen will be on Periodic Paid Research Leaves (three in the fall, eight in the spring, and three for both semesters). Another eleven will be on Junior Paid Leaves (five in the fall and six in the spring). Four faculty members will be on leave without pay (one in the fall, one in the spring, and two for both semesters). In addition, two faculty members will be seconded on REP assignments for the academic year 2013-14. F. FACULTY RECRUITMENT A total of 683 applications have been received for faculty positions due to start September 1, 2013 that were advertised by the faculty. After consultation with the departments and the FAS Advisory Committee, 21 offers have been accepted. These faculty members include: 8 Lebanese citizens, 3 US, 2 Lebanese/US citizens, 2 Finnish, 3 Iranians, and one from each: Italy, Russia/Germany, and India/USA. The visiting chairs for the academic year 2013-2014 are Dr. Vijay Prashad (Edward Said Chair of American Studies), Mr. Paolo Orlandi (Whittlesey Chair in the SOAM Department), and Dr. Tayib El-Hibri (Howell Chair in the History and Archaeology Department). G. APPLICATIONS FOR PROMOTION Fifteen applications for promotion were received by the deadline of September 3, 2012. Four applications were for the promotion to the rank of full professor and 11 for the rank of associate professor. One of the four applying to the rank of full professor was successful, and eight applying to the rank of associate professor were successful. 3 H. GENERAL REMARKS The Faculty of Arts and Sciences moved ahead on a number of strategic initiatives in 2012-13. We addressed persistent challenges, expanded education and research in selected areas, and worked to improve upon our strengths. The faculty is committed to expanding research and graduate education in support of AUB’s aspiration to make Lebanon and the Arab region a place where new knowledge is not only absorbed but created. Despite our dedication to this goal, we have an equal dedication to maintaining and enhancing undergraduate education and AUB’s longstanding commitment to liberal arts education. In spite of the dire economic, political, and security situation in Lebanon—and in the face of a great deal of tension in September 2013—thousands of new students arrived to pursue undergraduate degrees. It is their willingness, along with the commitment of the university’s faculty and staff, that keeps AUB remarkably stable in such circumstances. We cannot allow undergraduate education to erode. It is absolutely central. In coordination with a university-wide effort, FAS created a new Advising Unit consisting of Associate Dean John Meloy, Student Services Officer Leila Knio, and new FAS Advising Coordinator Bana Bashour, assistant professor in the Philosophy Department.