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By Raya Abdel
Baki---
A closer look at the catalogue released annually by the University
would reveal more than a new layout. This year, students admitted
to the different faculties constituting AUB will experience
a new and updated curriculum. The change in the academic program,
which remained in effect, has come after much research and
consideration, and extends to most of the disciplines. Said
Elfakhani, Associate Dean of the School of Business explained
the alterations in the business program, maintaining that,
while some of the old courses were revised and their names
changed, other courses that had once been requirements were
rendered electives. New courses were also introduced to account
for both specialization and broad based education. In addition
to the structural changes within the courses offered, there
were changes in the program itself, extending to the number
of core classes and electives available, as well as some of
the entry requirements. These changes applied to both the
BBA and the MBA programs. Dr. Elfakhani explained that in
the new curriculum students were being offered courses on
the graduate level with 0,1,2 or 3 credit hours. Elfakhani
stressed that the objective of the new curriculum was not
only to achieve recognition and enrichment, but also to offer
specialization. Despite the added flexibility, he maintained
that the program is not easier, only more effective. In a
similar discussion, Dr. Shaaban, Chairman of the English Department,
maintained that the new program in communication skills focuses
on thematic courses, introducing new categories and expanding
the old ones. This, he explained, has rendered the program
more flexible and has allowed the Department to produce students
who are Òcritical thinkersÓ. The new curriculum offers various
courses in creative writing, comparative and world literature,
period literature, and American literature, as well as minors
in English language and English literature. As for the UOP,
Mrs. Nina Khoury maintained that the intensive English program
has been incorporated in one new course, English 100. As for
the six basic English courses, 102 through 208, they remained
part of the curriculum since they are subject to continous
modification and updating. Dr. Khattar of the Biology Department
stressed that Ò the objective of the change is to allow for
more liberal educationÓ, providing more choices and giving
the students the opportunity to choose a minor. And while
the premedical program remains unchanged, students studying
biology will enjoy more flexibility and choice through the
electives offered, some of which are from other departments.
Khattar explained the benefits of this approach, saying that
it is important for AUB to produce all rounded students, and
not just experts in one field. Dr. Ibrahim Hajj, Dean of the
Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, spoke of the changes
introduced to what he referred to as the Òblock programÓ adopted
since the faculty was established. The main objective was
to get accreditation by the ABET (American Board for Engineering
and Technology), which required the incorporation of various
electives and cultural courses into the then existing program.
Dr. Hajj countered the popular misconception that the new
program is easier, saying that one must not mix rigidity with
strength, and adding that students should be able to study
what they like. Professor Peter Hoffman of the CS program
praised the new curriculum, maintaining that the introduction
of the thematic approach has proved interesting for both students
and faculty members, who welcome the change. The outcome of
the change in the curriculum is still unknown, whether for
the better or the worse. Despite the reputation that AUB enjoys
amongst similar institutions, students are not ambivalent
towards the shortcomings of the academic programs implemented.
In any case, the change is necessary and inevitable, the result
of which we are yet to see.
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