CAS Newsletter June 2015

American University of Sharjah Issue 1 | June 2015

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College of Arts and Sciences NewsletterIssue 1 | June 2015

It gives me great pleasure to introduce this first issue of the CAS Newsletter. This publication is meant to serve as a platform for news and perspectives reflecting

the College of Arts and Sciences’ achievements, faculty ideas and students’ insights relevant to the academic journey of one of AUS’s central academic units. Thanks to the astute vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah and President of American University of Sharjah, and to the continued support of the university administration, CAS has steadily moved towards its goals of strengthening research, developing an active outreach program, identifying funding opportunities, providing innovative teaching and learning environments, and being a driver of liberal education and provider of professional academic programs. By doing so, CAS seeks to realize its mission of educating and training students in liberal arts setting with traditions of inquiry to become critical thinkers and effective communicators who are able to address challenging and complex real-life problems.

This maiden issue of the CAS Newsletter encapsulates some of the most significant highlights of CAS events and ideas over the past two semesters. The tragic loss of our colleague, Dr. Richard Gassan, affected everyone in the CAS family. But like a family, we pulled together in order to get through that time of sorrow. Despite our loss, CAS has persevered and had an overall strong year.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of the CAS community—faculty, staff, and students—for their devotion and hard work. Without your passionate engagement, all of these achievements would not have been possible. I also wish to thank Associate Dean Dr. Ahmad Al-Issa, the Department of Mass Communication, and the Office of Strategic Communication and Marketing for making this publication possible!

Mahmoud Anabtawi Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

International Mathematics and Statistics Conference held at AUSBy Farah Ahmed

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah and President of American University of Sharjah, the Second International Conference of Mathematics and Statistics AUS-ICMS’15 convened at the Main Building auditorium from April 2 to 5. The conference was opened by His Excellency Sheikh Mohamad Bin Saoud al Qassimi, Chairman of the Central Finance Department of Sharjah. The conference was held in collaboration with the American Mathematical Society.

AUS Chancellor Dr. Björn Kjerfve continued on p.7

AUS and Etisalat showcase young filmmakers and video journalistsEtisalat and AUS have teamed up to spotlight films and news features produced in the UAE. ELife OnDemand, Etisalat’s video on demand (VOD) platform, will add a variety of short films and video news features produced by AUS mass communication students, for subscribed eLife viewers. The videos will also be available to Etisalat’s customers subscribed to eLife Video Packs.

The content agreement signed between the two organizations recently is the region’s first-of-its-kind initiative, aimed at encouraging and showcasing young, university-level filmmakers and video journalists.

The university’s Department of Mass Communication has earned an enviable reputation throughout the country for the quality work produced by its students. This new agreement is a platform for aspiring talent to explore their potential, highlight their creativity and reach out to a broader audience. The project will begin with 30 films and video news features, and more projects will be added over time.

“AUS has a great reputation for producing some of the best student films in the country,” said Dr. Björn Kjerfve, Chancellor of AUS. “Our students have won acclaim for their work both nationally and

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCESكلية اآلداب والعلوم



The Second International Conference on Mathematics and Statistics | AUS-ICMS’15

www.ams.org

Technical SponsorSponsor

ContentsCAS students win SIB Awards 2Open day showcases physics for high school students 5Physics department joins the UAE in its Mars exploration mission 5CAS and CAAD master of Islamic calligraphy 9Mass Communication student wins two awards 12Professor Tassa spotlights Method Acting 14

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College of Arts and Sciences Newsletter American University of Sharjah Issue 1 | June 2015

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AUS calls for more science students to achieve a sustainable environment By Farah Ahmed

American University of Sharjah held its annual Environmental Day on April 23, aiming to inform high school students about the careers they may pursue in the sciences.

The event hosted about 350 students and teachers from 15 high schools across the UAE. “The sciences have not generally been the focus for high school students entering the university system, but the positions for science graduates are out there in certified laboratories, both chemical and medical, pharmaceuticals, environmental, health and safety programs, consulting firms for environmental impact assessment, conservation and so many more,” Dr. Sandra Knuteson, Chair of the Environmental Day Committee said.

Environmental Day, organized by the College of Arts and Sciences, also promoted awareness of local, regional and global environmental issues, along with the university’s bachelor of science degree programs in biology, chemistry and environmental sciences under the theme of “Careers in Science: Building a Sustainable UAE.”

“There is a great need for science graduates to lead the UAE to a safe and sustainable future. We see the UAE recognizing its environmental impacts from industry and society and trying to mitigate them more than

ever; therefore, we need to help them move towards sustainability by finding safe methods and technologies to reduce that impact,” Dr. Knuteson said.

This year’s guest speaker was Project Director of the UAE Dolphin Project Dr. Ada Natoli. Dr. Natoli discussed, in a lecture, the Gulf and UAE’s efforts to protect the dolphin species and the local marine environment. The UAE Dolphin Project is a non-profit initiative committed to investigate the dolphin population in the UAE coastline. It aims to promote this issue through the “implementation of a research program as well as running media campaign and educational programs involving the public and private organizations,” according to its website.

Speaking about the event, Dr. Mahmoud Anabtawi, Dean of CAS, said, “The main theme of the Environmental Day is Building a Sustainable UAE, which is well-matched with the UAE’s Vision 2021.The UAE’s Vision 2021 document, which was released in 2010 by the UAE government, outlines the major future challenges the UAE faces. The document also provides initiatives, projects and legislation to address these future challenges; the Green Community is one of the key initiatives outlined in that document. This key

initiative includes promoting the production and use of renewable energy, encouraging investments in green economy and facilitating production, planning of green cities, maintaining biodiversity and the ecological balance in the UAE, regulating the use of water resources, electricity, and natural resources. There is no doubt that these initiatives will create new jobs for environmental sciences graduates.”

CAS holds annual dinnerThe College of Arts and Sciences held its annual dinner event on April 20 at the Dean’s Residence. In his welcoming statement, Dean Mahmoud Anabtawi thanked CAS faculty and staff for their hard work and dedication to the college’s mission. Winners of the CAS Excellence in Teaching and Research Awards were announced at the

dinner. Dr. Mohammed Ibahrine (Mass Communication) won the Teaching Award. The Research Award was earned by Dr. Nawar Golley (English) in the Humanities and Social Sciences category and Dr. Ayman Badawi (Mathematics and Statistics) in the Mathematics and Sciences category.

The following outgoing CAS faculty were also recognized: Dr. Fawwaz Jumean (Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences); Dr. Timothy Marshall and Dr. David Radnell (Mathematics and Statistics); and Tizreena Ismail, Patricia Prescott and Grace Sawaya (Writing Studies).

internationally. This partnership with Etisalat is an exciting new avenue for our students to showcase their talent and we are very pleased to be collaborating with them in this venture.”

Dr. Mahmoud Anabtawi, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said the project will enhance AUS students’ visibility in the community. “This is an excellent opportunity for our students to showcase their creative video works on a leading television platform of the calibre of Etisalat’s elife system,” he commented.

Rashed Al Abbar, Etisalat’s Vice President of Home Services, said, “We’re taking Etisalat’s reputation as a leader in providing top-notch home entertainment one step further by enhancing our content portfolio with locally produced films. We are

also playing our part in encouraging the community of young filmmakers from American University of Sharjah by showcasing their work. It is both exciting and rewarding to be part of the UAE’s growing creative landscape within the international circuit.”

Etisalat’s eLife TV launched OnDemand, its VOD service, in 2011 with a library of films from major regional and international studios that includes a variety of Hollywood, Hindi, Arabic and much more content in different languages to reach out to all demographics in the UAE.

AUS and Etisalat showcase young filmmakers and video journalistscontinued from p. 1

CAS students win SIB AwardsNine College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) students recently won Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) Awards for their research projects. The winners were announced at the annual Student Research Awards ceremony held in the AUS Main Building on March 24. Following are names of winners and their advisors from CAS.

First Place: Heba Qasim Al Kafri, “Solution of Non-Linear BVPs by Green’s Functions and Fixed Point Iterations”

Advisor: Dr. Suheel Khouri, Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Second Place: Sara Abdulmajid Azzam, “Camel Milk: A Preliminary NMR Metabolomics Study”

Advisor: Dr. Lucia Pappalardo, Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences

Second Honorable Mention: Afaf Al-Shihabi, Deena Oweis, Maitha Al Juwaied, Maryam Khoury, Maysan Abdulmajeed, Radwa Abdelmawgood, Rama Al Azzouni, “Canon Cameras Summer Launch – Defero Communication.”

Advisor: Dr. Harris Breslow, Department of Mass Communication


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Open day showcases physics for high school studentsThe Department of Physics, in collaboration with the Office of Enrollment Management, held the First Physics Open Day, FUNtastic FZX, on April 30. Over 20 high school student teams from seven Sharakah partner schools competed in hands-on projects refereed by AUS physics professors. The daylong event included many educational and fun activities, demonstrations and project experiments. The projects illustrated various contemporary physics concepts, such as nanophysics and cosmology, with real-life applications ranging from waves, optics and light to roller coasters. Both the visiting high school students and AUS students enjoyed the four-round physics trivia game, in which six teams of four members competed to answer general physics questions. The day ended with serving different ice-cream flavors prepared in liquid nitrogen.

In his welcoming address, Dr. Mahmoud Anabtawi, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said, “There has been a lot of interest in physics, especially these days and in the UAE. This is confirmed by the many new initiatives of the UAE government in the last few years, such as the Mars Mission and Green Cities. This will create many jobs for physics majors and physicists.”

The event was held as part of the Sharakah program under which AUS has signed Memorandums of Understanding with 12 secondary schools in the UAE whereby the

university will offer workshops to teachers and students; offer patronage of selected research, cultural, social and sporting activities and events organized by the Sharakah partner school; award partial scholarships to deserving students selected from

lists provided by the schools; and offer university preparation courses, including SAT and TOEFL preparation courses, as well as recruitment of outstanding students from varied sociocultural and economic backgrounds to AUS.

Physics department joins the UAE in its Mars exploration mission By Farah Ahmed

The Department of Physics held its first workshop on the UAE 2021 Mars Exploration Mission (EMX) in collaboration with the Emirates Institute for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) on March 31. The event included speakers from both EIAST and AUS who highlighted the possible collaboration in the Mars mission that the UAE is aiming to achieve.

“EIAST approached the AUS Department of Physics and proposed to organize a joint workshop to present the state of the intended Mars mission that the UAE plans to launch in 2020–2021. EIAST is aware of the existing expertise of the AUS Department of Physics in the various fields of physics and astronomy,” said Associate Professor and Head of Department of Physics Dr. Ali Alnaser in an email interview.

The UAE 2021 Mars Exploration Mission (EMX) is a great opportunity to develop the UAE’s scientific capabilities and contribute to the scientific community, said Sarah Al Amiri, Deputy Project Manager and Science Team Lead at EIAST, at the workshop.

The workshop started with a short presentation by Al Amiri, followed by a question and answer session. AUS professors also presented different

ways in which they can collaborate with EIAST to contribute to this national project. Around 60 students, faculty members and guests attended the workshop. Also attending was Dr. Mahmoud Anabtawi, Dean of CAS, who said, “This a very exciting seminar because we are not only talking about the Emirates’ mission, we are also addressing the science behind this mission and we are very excited about the collaboration [with EIAST].”

Three AUS faculty members prepared presentations to further explain how AUS can collaborate with EIAST. Associate Professor of Physics Dr. Tariq Majeed briefed the audience about the history and the atmosphere of Mars. Professor of Physics Dr. Nidhal Guessoum presented various ways in which the students can contribute to the EMX. Associate Professor and Director of the Mechatronics Engineering Graduate Program Dr. Mamoun Abdel-Hafez talked about the possible applications of aerospace technology that can be used for EMX.

“Today’s students are tomorrow’s scientists and engineers. They will be the ones participating in launching this mission and analyzing the data coming from it. Having them get involved early with this project will allow them to explore the field and become part of it from the very beginning,” Dr. Alnaser said in an email interview.

Performing Arts hosts piano concertOn Tuesday, March 10, 2015 the Performing Arts Program presented a piano concert featuring guest artist Emily Logan with Visiting Instructor of Music Angelina Lynne. In addition to the solo repertoire, the program included works for four hands and duo-piano. During her week at AUS, Logan also presented a lecture on managing performance anxiety and gave a master class for students.

Mass Communication honors its graduating seniorsThe Department of Mass Communication (MCM) honored its Spring 2015 graduating seniors with a luncheon on May 11. The event was attended by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Dr. Mahmoud Anabtawi, CAS Associate Dean Dr. Ahmad Al-Issa, MCM faculty and students. The top three students—Nada Ramadan, Mais Al Amouri and Radwa Abdulmawgood—received plaques of recognition from Dean Anabtawi.

Today’s students are tomorrow’s scientists and engineers. They will be the ones participating in launching this mission and analyzing the data coming from it.


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International Studies attracts global interest in international studiesBy Nada Ramadan

Since the Department of International Studies’ establishment in 2000, student interest in an international studies degree has never been higher, said Dr. Vernon Pedersen, Head of the Department.

“In Fall 2012, we had 156 students and today, we have 220. It has been a very nice and steady gain over the past few semesters,” he noted in an April 21 interview.

The Department of International Studies (INS) offers concentrations in international relations (IR) and international economics (IE). The international relations concentration is extremely popular, said Dr. Pedersen, who joined the department as head in August 2014.

Dr. Pedersen noted that the department’s biggest challenge is “coordinating the different elements that come under the umbrella of INS.”

“We have sociologists, psychologists, historians, anthropologists, political scientists and philosophers, which is an interesting mix to bring together coherently,” he added.

He noted that the department is culturally diverse as well, with its faculty members representing around 10 different countries.

“The same goes for our classes; I have students from Pakistan, India, Palestine, UAE, Jordan and a couple of people from Central Asia,” he added.

He noted that demographic diversity is essential in INS, because “you want to bring to light as many different

perspectives as possible.”

Regarding career opportunities, Dr. Pedersen stated that an international studies degree is extremely versatile, because “it gives students a broad content base so that they can understand the context of the things that are going on in the world.”

He added that it also gives them a very adaptable skill set in terms of communication, time management, problem solving and critical thinking.

The department’s most popular events include AUSMUN and Moot Court. AUSMUN, an annual Model United Nations conference held on campus, aims to “foster debates, create alliances and propose solutions to some of the most pressing issues of the present day.”

This year’s AUSMUN Secretary-General Omar Al Mutawa stated that being an international relations student has significantly helped him when taking part in MUN conferences.

“I largely owe my political consciousness to my professors, who work tirelessly to inspire us and challenge our preconceptions of the

world,” he added.

Al Mutawa, a junior, said that being secretary-general has helped him work towards one of his personal ambitions of bridging the gap between countries and fostering a culture of global awareness and tolerance.

Expressing similar views, international relations senior Tamara Khamis, who is expected to graduate in June, said that the program helped her define her goals.

“I eventually want to become a professor, so the program has helped me with my writing and reading, which improve on a weekly basis when you are an international studies student,” she added.

The department offers Moot Court as a regular 3-credit course each fall, in which students prepare and present written memorials for fictitious cases before the International Court of Justice.

International relations junior Mennat Al Khalil, a member of this year’s team, said that taking part in moot court competitions has been the most rewarding experience she has had so far.

“I’ve participated in MUN conferences in Bahrain and New York, but none of them compare to the things I learned in Moot Court,” she added.

She stated that not only did it add to her skills in debating, advocacy, legal research and writing, but it also taught her “the ability to strike a balance between patience and teamwork.”

Leading mathematician highlights mathematics in Arab historyBy Nada Ramadan

The study of mathematics originated from the need to develop a framework for solving problems, said Professor Edriss Titi from Texas A&M University, USA, in a March 31 lecture at AUS.

Organized by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Professor Titi’s lecture questioned the origins of mathematics using historic examples. Speaking to an audience of around 50 students and faculty members, he

stated that people often think that the “numerical subject” is only about solving equations. “It actually involves thinking logically about puzzles,” he added. Professor Titi noted that the framework used to solve a specific problem should be general enough that it can be applied to areas “far beyond where it originated from.”

Looking at algebra, he stated that it was specifically created to simplify

the dividing of inheritance based on Islamic traditions. “At the time, people needed simple equations to solve a time-consuming problem,” he added. Professor Titi was also invited to speak at the Second International Conference on Mathematics and Statistics held at April 2–5. His research interests are in applied and computational mathematics, particularly in the development of analytical and partial differential equations.

Mass Communication design students participate in Sustainability competitionTwelve mass communications (MCM) students were recognized by AUS Sustainability for their participation in the Tip of the Month Competition 2015 held on Wednesday January 14, 2015 in the Main Building. Organized in collaboration with MCM Senior Instructor Ana Milena Gavassa, the competition called for designing posters relating to sustainability issues.

“I thought it would be a great idea to assign this project to my freshman students in MCM 100 because they

never had the opportunity to work with a short deadline before,” Gavassa said.

The 12 winners were students in MCM 100 Introduction to Digital Media Design in Fall 2014. They produced designs highlighting important environmental protection concerns and solutions. One winner was designated for each month of the year and the winning posters are being displayed around campus.

“This competition is a great step and opportunity that will add to their CV and help them in the future,” Gavassa said.

International Mathematics and Statistics Conference held at AUS continued from p. 1

welcomed the delegates at the opening ceremony. “The world today has become a global village, connected and interlinked in innumerable ways. But even when such close connections were not commonplace, mathematics was the one universal language which had equal appreciation no matter where you lived in the world,” Chancellor Kjerfve said.

In his address to the delegates, Dr. Mahmoud Anabtawi, Dean of CAS said, “The sponsorship of the prestigious American Mathematical Society is profound evidence of the high quality of this conference, and the commitment of its organizers to promote mathematics and research in this part of the world and elsewhere.”

The conference brought together renowned mathematicians, researchers and scientists to discuss new research developments in the fields of pure mathematics, applied mathematics, mathematics education and statistics. The conference covered topics such as algebra, analysis, applied mathematics, statistics, differential equations, discrete mathematics, financial mathematics, numerical analysis, probability theory, stochastic differential equations, and topology and geometry, among others.

Dr. Hana Sulieman, Head of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and chairperson of the conference, noted that AMS sponsorship “also attests to commitment by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at AUS

to fulfill its mission that includes promoting mathematics and its important role in the advancement of UAE society and increasing knowledge productivity and research in mathematical sciences in the region.”

Keynote speakers were Gunnar Carlsson, a Professor of Mathematics at Stanford University and a highly influential mathematician, most well-known for his proof of the Segal Burnside Ring conjecture and for his work on applied algebraic topology, especially topological data analysis; Professor Samad Hedayat, a UIC Distinguished Professor at Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC); and Professor Edriss S. Titi, holder of the Owen Professorship of Mathematics at Texas A&M University and Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Irvine.

The first AUS-ICMS was held five years ago, making it the first international mathematics conference in the

region, according to the conference’s website. Members of the mathematical community from 45 different countries attended the conference’s first edition. This year, the number of attendees has increased to 250 mathematicians and statisticians from 50 countries, said Dr. James Griffin, Associate Professor of Mathematics and Statistics at AUS and a conference organizer.

Speaking about student benefits from this year’s conference Griffin said, “Graduate students meet renowned mathematicians and statisticians present their results, and they get to see some practical things like how a research question and results are presented to an audience because it is totally different than teaching a class and explaining a lecture.”

Dr. Griffin note that the undergraduate students who helped with conference “also benefited the same way the graduate students did by attending the lectures, but they also gained some work experience.”


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New avenue for scholarly publishing announcedBy Aisha Almazmi

Dr. Farideh Koohi-Kamali, publisher at Palgrave Macmillan, introduced a new form of scholarly publication during her lecture “The Global Outreach: Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Latin America” on March 4 at AUS.

The Palgrave Pivot allows researchers to produce their work in a format with a 20,000 to 50,000 word limit, Dr. Koohi-Kamali said.

She explained that it was created as a response to scholars who wanted to publish their full research at lengths in between the traditional journal article (7,000-8,000 words) and monograph (70,000-110,000 words), both of which Palgrave also publishes, along with textbooks. Submitted work undergoes several “totally blind [peer] review” stages prior to acceptance for

publication, she said.

Dr. Nawar Golley, Professor of English and organizer of the event, called the Palgrave Pivot idea “innovative and very practical” for scholars working with manuscripts that fall in-between the word counts of traditional publishing venues. Because such works would go through a rigorous

peer-review process with Palgrave Macmillan, she said, the initiative was especially attractive to professors.

Dr. Koohi-Kamali said that through this initiative, a manuscript is digitally produced within three months and is available in print on demand.

“It has been received very favorably by the scholars,” she added.

There is a demand for scholarly publications dedicated to this region, the Dr. Koohi-Kamali said added, and Palgrave Macmillan has published many books by prominent experts in this field including four new series with the Berkeley Program on Entrepreneurship and Development in the Middle East.

Mass Communication students take a closer look at audience researchBy Farah Ahmed

Audience research experts shared their insights with students and faculty members during a panel discussion on audience measurement, research and data sources in the Middle East and North Africa held at AUS on March 17. Around 30 students and faculty members attended the session, which was organized by the Department of Mass Communication (MCM).

Sarah Messer, who is the Director of Media for the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan at Nielsen, stated the importance of understanding traditional and digital media in order to understand and engage with audiences.

Digital media has been going through an evolution in the past 15 years and it is quite frightening to try and understand “what is going on in digital media,” said Luara Chaibi, head of digital research at MBC. She also encouraged the audience to start using digital media and “get on the bandwagon now.”

The speakers started with a broad overview of the important issues and trends in media audience. They also touched on media measurement and how it used. Then they moved on to speak about the importance of understanding data and research in the business environment.

Speaking about research and data sources in the Middle East, Messer said, “what is interesting about the region in the last few years is really the Arab spring,” adding that the Arab Spring has changed the audiences by changing the way they engage with media and use technology.

Messer said that the three most important elements in analyzing data are distribution, marketing and branding and sales. The key thing

is to take this data and change it to information and knowledge, she said. “It is the knowledge of how to feed the distribution, marketing and branding, and sales that will really make the difference and not the data and information on its own,” Messer said.

Chaibi explained to the audience that there are two ways to understand data. She said that digital research is like a “raging river to dive in and try to pull out the fish while the river is moving.” Another way to look at digital data is to “imagine it as a tornado and the role of the media researcher is to try and continually stay in the center of that storm,” Chaibi stated.

Assistant Professor of Mass Communication Dr. Abeer Najjar led a question and answer section session following the discussion.

“The speakers have a very well rounded regional and international experience in the area of audience research. They are both well informed and engaging speakers,” Dr. Najjar said.

Seminar provides tips for undergraduate writing successBy Aisha Almazmi

A classroom can be considered a kind of laboratory where instructors interested in pedagogy can manipulate the variables to obtain different outcomes, according to Dr. Sara Cotterall, Associate Professor in the Department of English.

In her presentation “Supporting Undergraduate Research Writing at AUS: Theory and Practice” at the first Department of English’s regular seminar series for Spring 2015, Dr. Cotterall examined issues those teaching ENG 204 Advanced Academic Writing face.

Dr. Cotterall pointed out to her audience of faculty and students that writing a sophisticated research essay

using secondary sources in a second or third language is very difficult.

To address this, Dr. Cotterall uses different types of “scaffolding” to help the learners achieve what they would be unable to do alone. One of the professor’s scaffolding strategies includes constraining the topic choice by focusing on matters related to the UAE.

Dr. Cotterall explained that this methodology allowed her to aid her students further through tapping into her and their knowledge of the country, as well as encouraging them to take advantage of databases and resources available in the library.

She added that planning the process of writing the research paper and dividing it across the semester is vital, as this enables immediate feedback helpful for identifying her students’ strengths and weaknesses.

Creating a critical and friendly atmosphere that exploited her students’ oral proficiency through in-class discussions of their papers facilitated their learning process and created “a real sense of community,” the professor said.

She described the overall response and feedback from her students as positive. “If you can combine fun with learning then you’re doing well,” Dr. Cotterall noted.

Seminar focuses on DNA profiling in forensic science

The Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences hosted a presentation on the use of DNA profiling in forensic science by Dr. Ahmed Al Marzooqi, Former Head of the UAE National Database Center and Former Member of the Interpol DNA MEG, on April 30 at the Chemistry

Building. Dr. Al Marzooqi noted that the use of DNA in forensic science was introduced in September 1984 by the geneticist Dr. Alec Jeffreys from University of Leicester in the UK. He also pointed out that DNA profiling in criminal investigations was first used in 1987 in a high profile case where DNA

evidence led to successful conviction of a dangerous offender, and the exclusion of an innocent suspect. Dr. Al Marzooqi also explained that since the use of DNA profiling, a large number of serious cases has been solved by using National DNA Databases, which hold millions of profiles. Moreover, DNA is greatly used in civil cases such as paternity and kinships testing. He stated that DNA profiling can also be used to identify individuals in mass disasters and missing persons. In the past, many weeks were needed for reliable results, but now high sensitivity results can be obtained within a few hours, according to the guest speaker.

CAS and CAAD host master of Islamic calligraphyMuslim Chinese calligrapher Haji Noor Deen Mi Guang Jiang gave a presentation about Arabic calligraphy to an audience of faculty and students on April 14. Organized by the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Architecture, Art and Design, the presentation featured different facets of Islamic calligraphy within Sini or Chinese script traditions. Haji Noor Deen highlighted the synthesis between Arabic and Chinese calligraphy as an art on its own right. He also gave a workshop in which he demonstrated his creative talent in calligraphy to a group of students. Haji Noor Deen is currently developing his own gallery called The Chinese House for the Arts of Islamic Arabic Calligraphy and the Arabic Calligraphy Creative Centre, at the National Academy of Painting and Calligraphy in Henan Province, China.


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AUS graduates advised on applying to Balamand medical school By Aisha AlMazmi

The University of Balamand (UOB) is ready to consider any AUS graduates who have plans to apply to its medicine program, Dr. Camille Nassar, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Sciences at the Lebanon-based university said in an interview April 30.

In a lecture at AUS, Dr. Nassar said that the highlight of a memorandum of understanding signed between AUS and Balamand is that AUS graduates applying to medical school at Balamand will be evaluated as applicants from a “sister” university.

Dean Nasser explained that there are certain criteria that must be met before students will be accepted into the program. Applicants must have completed a set of required science courses and have passed the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).

“Based on this we can admit students to our medical faculty,” Dr. Nassar said.

The professor emphasized the significance of psychology and sociology, which are going to be part of the new MCAT.

“It used to be [that] they basically examined the students in biology, in chemistry and in physics and how these three sciences apply to the human body,” he explained. However, “They found out that behavioral science is a very important part in the medical

profession.”

Dr. Nassar advised prospective students to focus on the material listed in the MCAT syllabus to prepare for it, as well as taking the sample and mock exams to practice. Dr. Fawwaz Jumean, Head of the Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences (BCE), also recommended searching for the guidelines of the 2015 MCAT online.

Dr. Nassar stated that he had a positive impression of AUS and hoped students would apply and get an MD degree from UOB.

“They will be an added value to the society of Sharjah and the UAE,” the he added.

Before his lecture, Dr. Nasser discussed with Dr. Mahmoud Anabtawi, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, areas of cooperation in facilitating BCE students’ admission to Balamand’s medicine program.

As part of his visit to AUS, Dr. Nassar met with AUS students who are interested in seeking a medical career. His visit was part of an initiative started by Dr. Jumean and Dr. Amin Majdalawieh, Associate Professor in BCE, in 2012. The project resulted in an agreement between the two universities, stating that UOB will facilitate the admission process of AUS graduates applying for the medicine program.

ATS trains teachers of ArabicThe Department of Arabic and Translation Studies (ATS) organized a one-day workshop for 150 school teachers on Saturday, April 18, to enhance their teaching methodologies and technological knowledge. Entitled “Arabic Teaching: Theoretical and Practical,” the workshop featured presentations by ATS professors on a range of subjects pertaining to Arabic language instruction and methodologies. The workshop addressed some of the theoretical and practical aspects in teaching the Arabic language. It included three sessions: Teaching Arabic Grammar, Vocabulary-Building in Arabic: Theory and Practice, and Integrating Building in the Arabic

Classroom. Presentations focused on the teaching of Arabic syntaco-morphological patterns to non-Arabic speakers, theories about learning

Arabic vocabulary, the benefits in integrating technology in the Arabic classroom and much more.

Workshop trains journalists in social mediaA workshop on social media use in mass communications contexts was given November 1-6, 2014 by Dr. Mohammad Ayish, Head of the Department of Mass Communication, at Al Khaleej newspaper in Sharjah. Fifteen journalists from different media organizations across the UAE took part in the five-day workshop. Dr. Ayish presented about the evolution of social media as outcomes of Web 2.0 technologies and explained the different usages they are put into in media contexts. Trainees did practical assignments in different social media functions, including crowdsourcing, aggregation and audience analytics.

Environmental science students check vehicle emissions and air quality By Farah Ahmed

Environmental science students enrolled in ENV 453 conducted unofficial testing for vehicle emissions and air quality on campus March 3 in collaboration with Tasjeel.

Tasjeel is a testing and registration center for vehicles. ENV 453 is a monitoring class where students go out into the environment and examine various pollution issues.

Course instructor Dr. Sandra Knuteson said that this was the fifth time she has done this activity with ENV 453 Environmental Monitoring and Analysis students. The students conduct

unofficial testing of toxic gases such as VOCs, CO and CO2 by examining the car model, year, age of car, mileage, engine type, fuel type, brakes, and time since last oil change, she added.

During the process of examination, the students look for the best possible way to lower emissions to meet the UAE’s standards. “The vehicle emissions should be as follows: CO should be less than 4 percent, and VOCs should be less than 800 ppm,” Dr. Knuteson added. These strict standards encourage companies to produce efficient cars with lower emissions, she said.

While this activity is only for environmental science majors, Dr. Knuteson asked students in ENV 100 Principles in Environmental Science to participate by bringing in their cars for examination. This year over 60 cars were unofficially tested.

The Tasjeel activity plays a significant role in the students learning process as it helps them understand the environment they live in, Dr. Knuteson said. “Students [also] learn about the registration process in the UAE and how the government can help reduce vehicle emissions,” she added.

CAS ALSs Offer Interactive Learning to Students

Three Active Learning Spaces (ALSs) have been opened at the College of Arts and Sciences to enable students to engage in more interactive learning in different subjects. Located in the LAN, Physics and NAB buildings, the facilities allow faculty to move their course design beyond the traditional lecture format. The room design, flexible furniture, writing surfaces, and technology support instructors in engaging their students in collaborative learning activities.

Online journal provides creative outlet for studentsBy Farah Ahmed

Asrar: Dialogues from the Diaspora is an online student-run academic and cultural journal initiated by the AUS Department of English to encourage both faculty and student engagement with literary subjects.

The journal is managed by three undergraduate English literature students—Iffat Siddiqui, Israa Tariq and Marziah Rashid—in addition to alumna Farah Nada. “We, the editors,

have witnessed this journal grow from a mere idea to a thriving intellectual dialogue,” states the journal’s website.

Asrar features various genres of writing such as essays and opinion papers, creative writing, criticism, and reviews. It also features artwork, such as photography. The online journal serves as an interactive space for students from different backgrounds and majors.

The journal publishes works of students from any AUS department. It may be accessed online at www.asrarjournal.com.


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Mass Communication student wins two awardsBy Farah Ahmed

Mass communication (MCM) student Mais Al-Amouri has won awards from both Alaan TV and the Dubai International Film Festival during this academic year.

Al-Amouri won Alaan TV’s competition UAE...the beloved homeland, launched in celebration of the 43rd UAE National Day. The competition aimed to provide an opportunity to express love for and belonging to the UAE through an image or a video, according to Alaan TV’s website.

The award landed Al-Amouri a two-week internship at Alaan TV in Dubai Media City along with a certificate at the end of the training, she said.

Al-Amouri said that after spending more than 18 years in the UAE, she finally found a way to offer the country “something special” on its National Day. She added that MCM Associate Professor Dr. Hania Nashef encouraged her to take part.

“Dr. Nashef thought it would be a good opportunity for all students to put their foot in Dubai Media City,” Al-Amouri said.

Al-Amouri filmed her two-minute video in Abu Dhabi because she believed that it would represent the UAE as a whole, as “the capital is the heart of the country,” she said.

The video included footage of the Corniche, Breakwater and the Emirates Palace, along with paintings of UAE’s

late President His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and a quote from a speech he gave.

Al-Amouri said that she was very happy to be representing AUS and she was glad that she made her professors proud. She added that she received emails from them congratulating her on the achievement.

“I would like to encourage all MCM students to participate in any competition because this will add to their CV and help them in the future,” Al-Amouri said.

DYJA Award

Al-Amouri also won the Dubai Young Journalist Award (DYJA) for her reporting on the 11th edition of the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF). The award landed Al-Amouri an internship at Gulf News, along with a certificate.

Six students from different universities in the UAE were selected to participate in this year’s DYJA. The participants’ work was featured in tabloid, a publication of Gulf News. They had the opportunity to interview industry experts, celebrities and officials, according to DIFF’s website.

“The DYJA aims to spot and foster the next generation of journalistic talent, to encourage the growth of the market in the region,” according to DIFF’s website.

Al-Amouri said that she was assigned

to write film reviews, cover the red carpet events and conduct interviews with filmmakers and celebrities. “It was one of the best experiences in my life,” Al-Amouri said.

She added that one of the most exciting moments at DIFF was when she met the Palestinian director Rashid Masharawi. “I was very happy that I got the chance to meet him because his films tackle the important issue of Palestinian refugees and the difficulties they face,” she said.

Al-Amouri said that covering the red carpet was a challenge because she had to “shout out” the celebrities’ names for interviews, and not all of them responded because they did not want to talk to the press.

She said that DYJA was a great learning experience, where “I learned how to be determined and passionate about my job.”

Book explores intercultural communication with ArabsThere is a need for more books that portray Arabs in a less stereotypical and biased way, said Dr. Rana Raddawi, Associate Professor of English at AUS, in an interview.

“Especially after 9/11 and recently with the Arab Spring in the Middle East, Arabs are often portrayed as being aggressive, fanatic and violent, particularly by the Western media,” Dr. Raddawi noted.

This topic is addressed in a new book she edited entitled Intercultural Communication with Arabs, published in December 2014.

Speaking about the book’s content, Dr. Raddawi, who also authored one of its 18 chapters, states that it provides an insight into the ways Arabs communicate and interact with each other and people of other cultures. The volume explores ways Arabs communicate in three different contexts: educational, professional and societal settings.

Two other AUS professors also contributed chapters to the book: Dr. Khawlah Ahmed, Associate Professor in the Department of English, and Dr. Linzi J. Kemp, Associate Professor in the Department of Management. AUS alumni Sarah Abdul-Hadi, LoriAnn Alnaizy, Bashaer Aref and Asma AlShamsi also co-authored a chapter, under the supervision of Dr. Raddawi.

This is one of the first books on intercultural communication that

focuses on the Arab world, Dr. Raddawi stated, adding that it is based on case studies, ethnographies and real life experiences of Arab and foreign scholars who live or have lived in the region.

She noted that other books have presented Arabs in a stereotypical or generalized manner because “they tackle only one group of Arabs that is not representative of the entire culture.” However, “It is important to show the humanitarian side of Arabs and that they are just like any other human being with basic needs, human rights and aspirations,” she adds.

She said that although the media paint a certain picture of Arabs, it is important for people to know the multicultural and diverse nature of Arab societies.

“There are Arabs who are blond, brunette, white, black, brown, covered and uncovered Arab females, Muslim, Christian and even Jewish,” Dr. Raddawi stated, adding that there are cultural features that unite them such as language, traditions and origins.

Regarding its use at AUS, she stated that she hopes the new book will be used in intercultural communication classes.

“Because we are in the Arab world, it seems fitting to have a book that is mostly about Arab culture, and then supplement that with articles involving communication in other cultures and countries,” she noted.

She added that there are plans to host an international conference on campus, “which will probably be the first about intercultural communication in the region.”

Regarding its use internationally, she noted that the book’s contributors are already promoting it in their universities and are planning to teach it in a few of their classes.

Dr. Raddawi states that she hopes it will “pave the way for other books to contribute to a more comprehensive perspective of intercultural communication in the Arab world.

Professor’s book emphasizes ethics in IslamThe recent book Ethics in Islam: The Value of Friendship in the Political Thought of Al-Tawhidi and his Contemporaries (Routledge Academic Publisher, 2015) contributes to modern discussions of Islam and political ethics. Authored by Dr. Nuha Al-Shaar (Department of Arabic and Translation Studies), the book revives the value of friendship in politics. It introduces friendship, as discussed by fourth-century Islamic philosophers, as the best way to reform social and political order and as a means to the good life, to restrain passion and self-interest, to bring about cooperation and promote reason, and for action in opposition to religious zeal. The book is of interest to scholars and researchers of political philosophy, comparative ethical thought and Islamic studies.

AUS hosts global university symposium

For the third consecutive year, AUS hosted the Symposium on the Global University. This year, thanks to a grant from the College of Arts and Sciences, three external speakers and one scholar from AUS presented their work on the development of global universities in the Gulf during the symposium, which was held March 9. Neha Vora (Lafayette University) spoke about the appropriation of feminist discourse by Qatari women in Education City. Natalie Koch (Syracuse University) presented her research findings on the motivation of professors to work for branch campuses in the Gulf. Lee Rensimer (University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research) spoke about the growth of institutions of British higher education in the UAE. Dr. Fatima Badry from the AUS Department of English discussed elements of her forthcoming book with John Willoughby (American University in Washington) on the origins of higher education in the Gulf and policy reasons why GCC countries have increasingly relied on branch campuses for the development of higher education.


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Remembering Richard Gassan

According to emails from AUS officials and media reports, Dr. Gassan, Associate Professor of History, and his friend, 72-year-old South African Desmond Daniel died instantly when struck by a car while bicycling.

A member of the Department of International Studies of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and author of two books, Dr. Gassan joined the university in the Fall 2005.

“We have all lost a remarkable man and I was specially blessed to be able to work with him,” CAS Dean Dr. Mahmoud Anabtawi said in an email.

Dr. Gassan, 56, is survived by his mother, Martha Oehler, and his older brother Larry.

The remembrance event for him in the Main Building Rotunda featured remarks by Interim Provost Kevin Mitchell, who led the assembled faculty, students and alumni, in a moment of silence. Chancellor Dr. Bjorn Kjerfve added condolences sent by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah and President of AUS.

Remembering Jack Swanstrom

Students and faculty were holding tributes throughout the week for Gassan when they learned of Swanstrom’s death. Swanstrom, 53, who taught film-related courses in the College of Architecture, Art and Design, had been part of the AUS faculty since Fall 2002.

Swanstrom, like Dr. Gassan, was remembered not only in a Main Building gathering but in efforts within his own college. Of these tributes, his CAAD colleague Ludmil Trenkov noted that “what became apparent was a tremendous outpouring of emotion.”

“Professor Jack was a force of life,” added Trenkov. “That’s why his absence is felt even greater.”

In an email to the campus community, Mitchell wrote of Swanstrom that since his arrival at AUS, he had “dedicated himself to enhancing the reputation of the college and university through the extraordinary number of student awards that resulted from work done in his film courses.”

Swanstrom is survived by his wife, Colleen Swanstrom, and stepdaughters Olivia and Genevieve Melkonian.

Professor Tassa spotlights Method ActingBy Farah Ahmed

The term “Method Acting” is often misused because actors tend to strictly focus on certain aspects of it, Professor Anthony Tassa, Head of the Performing Arts Program, said in an interview.

Method Acting refers bring up methodology of Constantin Stanislavski, which was developed at the beginning of the 20th century. All of the acting courses at AUS’s Performing Arts Program are based on Stanislavski’s method of acting, Professor Tassa said.

Stanislavski’s method comprises of a set of techniques to prepare an actor for delving into a role and becoming as closely aligned with the character he/she is playing. The most important technique in Method Acting is the super-objective, Professor Tassa explained. The actor learns how to identify and pursue his/her objectives in a scene, and it starts with understanding the character’s overall goal.

Professor Tassa said that theater actors today use different versions of Method Acting, such as the training techniques of Stella Adler, Lee Strasberg, Sanford Meisner and Uta Hagen, noting that these methodologies are all based on Stanislavski’s method. “On stage, actors can’t sustain a performance for 100 nights unless they’ve got a strong foundation for the character,” Professor Tassa noted. He added that the performers should properly

examine all the methods to develop the character.

Regarding film actors and Method Acting, Professor Tassa said there are a lot of well-trained movie stars, but also there are many “pretty faces” who don’t necessarily know what they are doing. Hollywood stars tend to use only one aspect of Method Acting, which does not work on its own, like emotional recall. This is “when you take an emotion from your earlier life and use it to play a scene,” Professor Tassa said, noting that director and acting teacher Lee Strasberg often focused on it with his students. But this is only one component of a larger palette of techniques, Professor Tassa said, and actors relying solely on it leave a “hollow” performance.

Taken To Extremes

Not all accepted Method Acting techniques represent Stanislavski’s intentions. One of the most famous examples of it was Marlon Brando’s death scene from the film Mutiny on the Bounty, Professor Tassa said. Brando submerged himself in ice for 30 minutes so he could feel his body go numb, and reconnect with the character, according to Professor Tassa. However, he said that he does not advise this kind of practice, noting that “anything that could conceivably hurt [the actor’s] body physically was not intended by Stanislavski.”

However, there are many other, less threatening techniques artists can use to help connect with their character, Professor Tassa said. For instance, if an actor has to play a scene where he/she is exhausted, they can do 100 push-ups and then do the scene, he said. This can help them understand what it feels like to be fatigued without hurting themselves, he added.

Dramatic Process

In the acting courses at AUS, students learn the first step of Stanislavski’s technique, which is the core of the dramatic process course, Professor Tassa added. Classes begin with a basic understanding of passing energy back and forth and connecting with scene partners. This is followed by others aspects of the Method, primarily understanding the use of action verbs in playing objectives.

There are, however, only so many things professors can teach in a given semester, according to Professor Tassa. “The courses do not cover the highly advanced areas of Method Acting simply because there is not enough time in a theater minor,” he said. However, these courses offer many benefits for students who are not necessarily actors. These include improving their communication, personal self-confidence, organizational and time management skills, he said.

AUS holds memorials for professors Gassan and Swanstrom By Noor Chehayber

American University of Sharjah students and faculty gathered in the Main Building in separate events on March 3 and 5 to remember two faculty members who passed away during the week.

Each occasion involved holding a moment of silence for, respectively, Dr. Richard Gassan, who was struck by a car while bicycling near University City on March 2; and John “Jack” Swanstrom, who died at his campus home on March 4.

Both were also remembered in their individual colleges and elsewhere, including large cards onto which students wrote words of tribute.

Dr. Richard Gassan John Swanstrom

College of Arts and Sciences Newsletter

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New studio facility features state-of-the-art technologyBy Nada Ramadan

The new Mass Communication Studio located in the New Academic Building in room 013 is 90 percent ready and is scheduled to open in Fall 2015, Media Specialist Herman Coutinho said in a recent interview.

“Once we finish the studio’s flooring, we should be ready to open it for courses,” he added.

However, he noted that the studio is already being used “in a very minimal fashion.” The department’s portable green screen and camera have been moved to the room, allowing students to use the space to complete their projects, he stated.

Once it officially opens, mass communication (MCM) students of all concentrations will be able to use the high-tech equipment, even if they aren’t enrolled in a course that requires its use, Coutinho said.

“Students should be able to backup their storytelling abilities with the technical skills the industry calls for nowadays,” he added.

Currently, the equipment produces

High Definition content, but there are plans to upgrade it to Ultra HD, Coutinho stated.

MCM Head of Department Dr. Mohammad Ayish stated in an interview that equipping the studio with technology that wasn’t state-of-the-art would have made it seem obsolete, “when it needs to be part of the future.”

“Everybody is going digital and 4K, which is exactly what our students and faculty need to excel,” he added.

One of the challenges faced in construction was the installation of the special air conditioning system. “Studios require a quieter environment than other rooms, so professionals were brought in to install a special

cooling system, which took quite a bit of time,” Coutinho stated.

With regards to expansion plans, Dr. Ayish stated that they are currently focusing on solidifying the existing structure in terms of the space, equipment and installation. He noted that although the cameras and lights are already in place, they are still acquiring furniture and setting up the flooring.

“I am very thankful to the Dr. Mahmoud Anabtawi, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, for supporting us in this project and expressing his passion for it,” he stated.

“It will definitely take our program forward,” he said. Dr. Ayish stated that he hopes the studio will empower the students of all MCM concentrations.

“Students will have a facility that has state-of-the-art equipment to practice their video skills in order to produce news reports, advertisements and documentaries according to the industry’s latest standards,” he said.

Mass Communication student wins at the Dubai Lynx Masar Student Creative Award for PrintBy Farah Ahmed

Mass communication (MCM) student Dena Al-Qaisi won second place at the Dubai Lynx Masar Student Creative Award for Print on March 11, for designing a poster in response to Dubai Cares’ initiative to increase awareness about education.

Regarding her decision to participate, Al-Qaisi said that MCM Assistant Professor Dr. Mohammed Ibahrine encouraged her and her classmates to take part. “I willingly took part as I am always open to taking new challenges and I am also keen on taking part in communication and creativity forms,” she added.

Speaking about the objective of her poster, Al-Qaisi said that the design was meant to raise awareness of Dubai Cares’ initiative to provide children in

“developing” countries with “quality primary education.”

Al-Qaisi said that the design of her poster was inspired by the Dubai Cares’ logo. “Dubai Cares’ Logo is five hands. I wanted the viewer to relate the poster to Dubai Cares as soon as they see it,” she said.

The poster’s design consists of two hands: a big hand, representing Dubai Cares, holding and nurturing a smaller hand, representing the children, she said. “The message I was trying to convey was a letter a day can pave the paths for these children, and I always remember my mother telling me that if one has no education, there is no paved path for a bright future,” Al-Qaisi added.

Al-Qaisi said that the execution of the design took her four weeks, adding that she had to go through a process of research to learn more about the issue.

Al-Qaisi was named to the shortlist for last year’s Dubai Lynx Student Creative Award.

Speaking about her win, Al-Qaisi said, “The university [was] supportive. They sent a congratulatory email to me. I was very happy, and it definitely gave me confidence and encouraged me to take part in more competitions.”

“My ambition is to use creativity and communication to make a difference, even if it is a little one. I hope to utilize my skills in a field that will enable me to do so,” Al-Qaisi added.

Students should be able to backup their storytelling abilities with the technical skills the industry calls for today.

CAS Newsletter June 2015

Documents

Transcript of CAS Newsletter June 2015