UA-R-GC-1914-01-01-1961-11-18_Page-068

I I 18 November 1961 The American University at Cairo Statement on recent program developments Most of the usual curriculum and program developments of the University have been in line with the basic decisions of the University as indicated in the document, The Years Ahead. This present statement is intended only to indicate the recent supplements to the regular program of the University. It is not descriptive of the standard, ongoing efforts of the institution. I. Curriculum a) English language learning is being taken seriously, with an increasingly qualified staff and program in the English Language Institute, supplemented by electronic reading­training devices and tape-recorders. The experimental project with ten Saudi Arabian boys, supported by ARAMCO all-cost scholarships, is off to a very good start. b) Limited offerings in French literature are available for the first time. These are made in attempt to keep facility in French alive for the students who already have command of the language upon entering the University. There is no French language teaching program. c) Music history and appreciation was offered last year for the first time, and is being continued this year. In addition, a University Chorus is being rehearsed regularly. If the response continues as well as it has begun, this may become a regular part" of the program. The University offers music listening hours, and is beginning the use of a newly acquired electric organ as a means of enriching convocations and assemblies. d) The problem of offerings in religion has been under special study, and is reported in the form of a letter to the president, written by Dean Odell, attached. The question is involved, also, with offerings in Philosophy and History, in the general context of the School of Oriental Studies