WMU launches innovative study abroad
program to Egypt

WMU Professors Robb Gillespie and Mustafa Mughazy
with WMU students in Egypt, summer 2008

The role of geology in the civilization and culture of ancient and modern Egyptians is the focus of a new Western Michigan University summer study abroad program for undergraduate and graduate students planned for May 1-16, 2009.

The WMU Geosciences and Foreign Languages Departments, in collaboration with the Haenicke Institute, have developed the innovative 3-credit-hour program, Civilization and Geology in Egypt, which will be taught by WMU Professors Dr. Robb Gillespie and Dr. Mustafa Mughazy.

The main objective of the course is to demonstrate to students how geology, and science in general,  is integral with day-to-day events, and plays a central role in shaping society and civilization. Geology faculty from South Valley University in Qena, Egypt will participate in conducting portions of the field trip, giving WMU students exposure to scientists from other cultures.

Gillespie said the program will help students come to an understanding that Egypt is much more than just the home of Pharaohs and pyramids.

“This program will not only expose the students to Egypt’s majestic past, but will also introduce them to the realities of contemporary Egypt,” Gillespie said. “Egypt is still viewed by many as a land of mystery and romance, epitomized by the River Nile and the pyramids and it remains a popular tourist destination, ranking high on most peoples’ lists as a place they would like to visit sometime during their life.

“Egypt is obviously much more than the simple romantic notion,” he said. “It is a complex and multi-faceted country, predominantly an Arabic community with Coptic and Christian components. It is a strong Middle East cultural partner in area-wide politics, economics and ongoing cultural developments. It is a player in global energy supplies, now being totally self-sufficient in crude oil, and a net global oil exporter. Yet, much of the country remains the same as it has been for centuries, more aligned with the poorer sections of Africa than the big cities of Alexandria and Cairo that appear aligned with the Middle East and Europe.”

The course has been approved to meet requirements for General Education Area IV (Other Cultures and Civilizations). The geological content of the GEOS 2020 course will be wrapped within the context of the cultural development and history of Egypt, from the Pharaohs through contemporary times. This will provide an integrated perspective as to how science interacts with everyday events, eventually leading to cultural development or defeat. Mughazy, a WMU Arabic language professor, will team teach the course with Gillespie to enhance its multi-disciplinary aspect.

Mughazy developed and has led a very popular intensive Arabic Language and Culture in Egypt summer program to Alexandria. His innovative pedagogical approach—combining standard and colloquial Arabic from the beginning level—has brought national recognition to WMU’s Foreign Languages department and a textbook he authored is the most-used book in the U.S. for colloquial Arabic. WMU became the first university in Michigan to offer a minor in Arabic this fall.

Gillespie teaches in WMU’s Geosciences Department, which is heavily involved in research activities in Egypt and ranks as the third most active among United States’ universities conducting research in Egypt (www.esrs.wmich.edu/). The department plans to expand this research activity into a “Western Michigan University Center of Excellence in Egyptian and Middle Eastern Scientific Studies.”

Gillespie joined WMU after a successful career in petroleum geology. His passion for helping students understand how geology influences cultural development, along with his many years studying Egyptian history and culture, led him to propose the Civilization and Geology in Egypt program. Supported by a grant from the Haenicke Institute, Gillespie participated in the Arabic summer program led by Mughazy to learn the ins and outs of leading a study abroad program. With Brett Berquist, executive director of international programs, Gillespie visited several Egyptian universities to discuss collaboration on this project.

“Robb was extremely knowledgeable about the geomorphology of Egypt, as expected,” said Berquist. “I was very impressed by how much he had absorbed through study of Egyptian history and culture. It was his first trip to Egypt, but he was far more knowledgeable about each site than an experienced tour guide. He has a passion to share his knowledge with students that is infectious.”

Dr. Donald McCloud, dean of the Haenicke Institute, said he is particularly pleased “to see the interdepartmental collaboration behind this proposal that builds on two areas of strength that have already brought international recognition to our university: hydrogeology research and Arabic language and culture.”  

Civilization and Geology in Egypt program profile

Dean's Scholarship for Summer Study Abroad

Dr. Gillespie's home page

WMU's Arabic program--Dr. Mughazy, advisor

Faculty interested in learning more about developing study abroad programs may contact Bill Woods, Haenicke Institute for Global Education, (269) 387-5890, w.woods@wmich.edu