Professional Profile
Thirty-five years of highly successful experience in the field of Middle Eastern and Western language, literature and culture. Expertise is vested in teaching, publishing, course development, public speaking, consulting, translating, linguistics, creative writing, and managing teams and departments. Responsibilities as both an Arabist and a Comparatist include being a subject matter expert and a resource for fellow colleagues, academic professionals, students, the Federal government, service organizations, businesses and the local community.
Work Experience
Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC), Monterey, CA (July 2007 – present)
Professor/Dean, Middle East School III (December 2007 - present)
As dean, currently oversee approximately 130 faculty and 350-400 students, fifteen staff members, including an associate dean, an assistant dean, two academic specialists, five department chairs, a technology specialist, an immersion program specialist, a diagnostic assessment specialist, a test control specialist, a supply technician, and twelve military language instructors. Provide academic leadership to the faculty in the school devoted to instruction in MSA and Arabic dialects. Responsible for teaching programs, assessment programs, and academic support functions, including course and curriculum developments, program evaluation, faculty professional development, technology integrations, and the personnel and fiscal resources needed to support these activities. Represent the school and often the institute in professional and public meetings. Manage the school budget and all human, material, and technology resources. Responsible for hiring, faculty development, training, and retention. Have selected over 45 new faculty members. Responsible for the implementation of the Arabic language/culture curriculum. Implemented state-of-the-art technology in the classroom. Collaborated remotely with overseas Arabic Immersion Program leaders in Egypt, Morocco and Jordan on the curriculum, cultural activities, and the evaluation process for students. In my five-year tenure as dean, the student success rate of my school improved from 59% to 78.9%. Work closely with all divisions across the institute to foster a spirit of collaboration for the benefit of the institution at large. Serve on subcommittees for accreditation, curriculum development, evaluation, distance learning, and faculty hiring and compensation. Adopted an open door style of management. Sponsored quarterly newsletters, a suggestion box, open discussion forums, and a Dean’s Call. Conduct weekly staff meetings in which I provide management guidance and leadership development. Participate in bi-weekly meetings with all deans and associate provosts. Provide academic and cultural training to faculty and staff and lead quarterly roundtable discussions on linguistic, literary and cultural topics. Host an open house bi-annually in which we showcase model classrooms and enjoy student/faculty talent shows. Promote a strong learner community and a spirit of sharing best practices. Attend and present at national and international conferences.
Editor-in-chief, Middle East School III Chronicle (December 2008 – December 2010)
Responsible for the selection and editing of all articles for the quarterly journal published by Middle East School III, DLIFLC.
Arabic Editor, AAIM High 3 (August 2007 – December 2007)
Edited, “voweled,” and audio recorded the Arabic manuscript. Also, led a team to assist with the audio recording of these authentic texts, DLIFLC.
Professor/Academic Specialist (July 30, 2007 – December 2007)
Responsible for faculty training and development, curriculum review and supplementation, testing, evaluation and grading schemes, DLIFLC.
Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS), Monterey, California,
(Summer 2007)
Visiting Professor of Arabic, Summer Intensive Language Program (SILP)
Academic/ Activities Coordinator
Responsible for all academic and cultural aspects of the Arabic Intensive Summer Program; Interviewed and selected instructors, planned the curriculum, approved daily/weekly syllabus of instruction, quizzes, and testing material, organized and supervised all cultural activities
Columbia University, New York, NY (August 2000 – May 2007),
Department of Middle East and Asian Languages and Cultures
Gordon Gray, Jr. Senior Lecturer in Arabic Studies
Taught Elementary Arabic I, Elementary Arabic II, Intermediate Arabic I, Intermediate Arabic II, third year Arabic: Composition and Style in Arabic Literature, and Supervised Readings. Also taught in Columbia’s Arabic Summer Program. Developed a wide variety of proficiency-oriented supplemental and enrichment material, grammatical explanations, exercises, drills, and quizzes.
Developed and implemented a web-based project: “The Story of Sami and Warda,” which consists of twenty-two original authentic texts for listening and reading comprehension. Selected and developed web-based comprehension questions for eighteen Arabic texts. Established a tutoring program for all Arabic language students. Developed and taught a proficiency-based interactive curriculum for third year Arabic course entitled Media Arabic I and II. Syllabus based entirely on authentic texts and current events. Introduced and taught a new course specifically designed for “Heritage Students of Arabic”. This is an intensive course that combines elementary and intermediate curricula in one year. Created interactive syllabus and all course materials. Heritage course description is posted on MEALAC home page under Arabic.
Additional Supplementary Materials and Course Development:
In an effort to supplement the textbook with appropriate material that can help our students achieve the desired proficiency goal, I have developed a number of course packs for every level of Arabic that we teach. All this material has been validated in the classroom and is being used by our Arabic instruction team both in class and in the Lab during the two academic semesters and throughout the two summer program sessions:
Course pack for Elementary Arabic I Course pack for Elementary Arabic II
Course pack for Intermediate Arabic I Course pack for Intermediate Arabic II
Course pack for Third Year Media Arabic I
No textbook is available. This material is the actual textbook
Course pack for Third Year Media Arabic II
No textbook is available. This material is the actual textbook.
The Story of Sami and Warda: 22 original texts for listening and
reading comprehension. Wrote, recorded and made available online.
These texts are suitable for all levels of Arabic taught at MEALAC.
Show and Tell: Conversation in Pictures. Course pack with questions for speaking activities and conversation.
Course pack with comprehension questions on selected and recorded
texts online.
Created and successfully integrated into the curriculum a language lab hour for elementary and intermediate classes. Trained instructors on lab equipment use. Developed and recorded most of the web-based material. Introduced a weekly conversation hour in a round table setting. Received a grant from the School of Continuing Education to develop supplementary material for the Arabic language classes. Project was completed and all material was integrated into the curriculum (2002). Received a joint grant from the Language Resource Center and the Middle East Institute at Columbia University to select, edit and record selections of classical and modern Arabic poetry for the advanced classes. Project completed (2005-2007).
Program Developer of Columbia University’s Arabic Summer Immersion Program in Amman, Jordan
Developed an overseas nine week total immersion program in Arabic. Worked with the University of Jordan to create a curriculum of instruction and cultural activities. Handled all high-level negotiations between Columbia University and the University of Jordan. (2007)
Coordinator of the Arabic Language Program
As the Coordinator of the Arabic Language Program, reported directly to the Chair of the department and managed all aspects of the program: faculty, students, academic schedule, registration, syllabus, testing, material development, web- based projects and curriculum design. Streamlined the registration process for all Arabic language classes. Wrote and implemented new guidelines that simplified registration. Guidelines are posted on MEALAC home page under Arabic. Redesigned the entire syllabus for all elementary and intermediate classes to enhance the proficiency level. Increased frequency of interaction between instructors and students.
Director of Columbia Arabic Summer Program (CASP)
As the initiator of the program, I wrote the original proposal, presented it to management and served as the Director of the program since its inception in 2001. It has been an integral part of my commitment and responsibility to ensure its continuity and success. As Director, managed all aspects of CASP throughout the academic year and during the summer. Taught almost every summer, at least one class. Among other things, my responsibilities included the following:
Responded to all email and correspondence from management, prospective students and all personnel interested in the summer program. Verified and screened all faculty and student applications. Advertised for, interviewed, hired and trained a team of instructors. Advertised for, interviewed, hired and trained an Assistant to the Director,(beginning in the summer of 2005). Set up the
curriculum for the two summer sessions (12 weeks). Outlined the entire syllabus for the two sessions and ensured its effective implementation. Scheduled and administered, with team members, all placement tests and placed students in the
appropriate levels and sections (Both Columbia and non-Columbia students). Reserved smart rooms for all classes and ordered text books. Prepared all quizzes, mid terms and final exams for all classes (with input supplied by the team of instructors). Prepared and made available all supplementary materials for all levels. Prepared and made available all text material for third year classes, (Media Arabic) Textbook materials were all my own. No commercial textbook was available. Coordinated and planned all cultural activities associated with the program to include reservations and financial accounting for movies, Arabic cookery days, museum trips, authentic meals at selected restaurants, cultural and linguistic games, Middle Eastern musical performances, guest speakers, etc. Held weekly meetings with the team of instructors. Participated in weekly class observations/ demonstrations, when necessary. Applied team teaching strategy by ensuring teacher rotation among sections (one hour/week) and co-taught when necessary. Was available from 9AM – 2PM, Monday –Thursday to answer all student/instructor questions. Advised instructors on linguistic and pedagogical issues as necessary. Ensured all academic and cultural activities, quizzes, and tests were performed properly and on time. Ensured the syllabus was implemented properly. Ensured all grades were posted on time. Coordinated, led and participated in all cultural activities. Ensured a smooth and academically sound transition of the program to the Director in Residence on the day classes commenced (beginning in the summer of 2005). Remained with the program throughout the first week of classes to ensure a smooth start. Remained in touch with the Director in Residence (as necessary) via email and phone for advisement and guidance throughout the entire program (summer of 2005).
Chair of “The Arabic Studies Seminar”
University Seminars at Columbia University. (Fall semester 2005)
Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS), Monterey, CA (Summer 2006)
Visiting Professor of Arabic, Summer Intensive Language Program (SILP),
Responsible for Arabic Intermediate class. Developed all course materials.
State University of New York, College at Cortland, Cortland, NY (1998- 2000)
Lecturer, Department of International Communication and Culture
Initiated Arabic Program and taught Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Arabic language and culture. Established Distance Learning Program in Arabic. Simultaneously taught Arabic language and culture to students at SUNY Cortland and SUNY Fredonia. Developed tests and enrichment material.
State University of New York, Binghamton, NY (Spring 1997)
Visiting Assistant Professor of Arabic, Department of Classical and Near Eastern Studies
Taught Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Arabic language and literature
Global Enterprises, Cortland, NY (1995- 2000)
Director and Founder
In April of 1995, founded Global Enterprises, Academic Learning & Resource Center. Served as the director and manager of this center which offered a wide variety of both enrichment and remedial courses in addition to foreign languages, study skills, organizational techniques and homework assistance to students of all ages and grades.
Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC), Monterey, CA (1983-1994)
Chairperson of Arabic Department C
Served as Subject Matter Expert and Consultant to top management for technical and linguistic expertise. Responsible for the implementation and results of the entire instructional program. Monitored students’ progress and program effectiveness. Recommended curriculum changes and validated new course material. Trained instructors and taught all phases of the instructional program. Developed program of instruction for new courses, selected textbook materials and wrote new grading policy. Nominated to ad hoc committees to review the Institute’s academic and administrative policies and procedures. Participated in off-campus seminars as a spokesperson for the school. Managed a newly created department of twenty-seven instructors and 120 students. Was the sole administrator in the department and was in charge of both human and material resources. Supervised, observed, counseled and evaluated all teachers in the department. Recognized exemplary teachers and took appropriate action to train or remove non-performers. Interviewed and recommended new employees for hiring. Recognized by the school dean for students’ results and for maintaining the highest standards of leadership as both a master teacher and administrator/manager of a complex group of instructors from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds.
Supervisory Training Instructor
Exercised technical and administrative supervision of 14 training instructors (Arabic Language).Planned, organized, coordinated and supervised language training activities and workforce to include class scheduling and workload distribution. Evaluated instructor performance and language training effectiveness through classroom/laboratory visits and means of feedback data. Recommended in-service faculty training. Participated in planning and conducting in-service training, conferences, and seminars. Provided guidance to subordinate instructor personnel on maintenance of instructional materials. Determined the need for instructional media for classes. Supervised and coordinated their utilization to include audio-visual training aids. Coordinated a complete and balanced instructional program for classes/sections supervised. Conducted formal language instruction. Introduced all aspects of the target language. Taught pronunciation, listening comprehension, oral communication, reading comprehension, and the writing system. Taught area studies and specialized military and technical terminology. Evaluated student progress in terms of meeting interim and terminal objectives. Reviewed, evaluated, and interpreted student academic performance based on available records and personal observation. Monitored instructional techniques and materials, recommended updating, revising and improving instructional materials, techniques, policies and procedures. Validated the new Arabic Basic Course (From the Gulf to the Ocean), supervised the writing of lab materials, tests and quizzes and wrote the grading policy. Supervised the writing, the recording, filming and editing of two tapes on Syrian and Saudi dialects.
Academic Specialist
Served as language learning and instructional resource for a foreign language teaching team. Fulfilled responsibilities of coordinating both program and teaching components of team teaching. Served as Subject Matter Expert and resource for management, staff, and faculty. Developed and modified materials, distributed materials, coordinated student matters. Planned class schedules, prepared teaching assignments, recommended in-class activities and coordinated team teaching. Trained team members in latest instructional methodologies and participated in establishing learning objectives. Implemented sound management techniques in facilitating team effort and fostering cooperation and positive support of the Defense Language Institute’s mission. Developed evaluation standards, assessed and monitored student progress in relation to the Foreign Language Objectives, and coordinated team effort in developing and adapting materials and activities to ensure highest levels of language proficiency are achieved by students. Conferred with Department Chair in development and implementation of instructional programs. Mentored colleagues through all phases of instructional sequencing. Recommended professional training for team members and organized schedules to accommodate training. Taught all aspects of Arabic in a culturally authentic matrix. Assessed students’ progress and provided counseling and enrichment and remediation programs. Conducted lectures and courses on Cross-Cultural Communication, Arabic culture, language, literature, poetry, and influences in international relations. Students in my classes consistently achieved exceptional levels of proficiency.
Teaching Coordinator/ Program Coordinator
As Teaching Coordinator, served as a role model in providing comprehensive second language acquisition instruction Applied a range of methodologies and incorporated computer-assisted instructional techniques into the program of instruction. Trained team members in techniques and current developments of foreign language instruction. Taught all levels of Modern Standard Arabic within an authentic context emphasizing detailed area background .Implemented instructional strategies to effectively meet the established course and training objectives. Assessed student needs and proficiency levels, monitored progress, provided remediation and enrichment. In July 1992, my graduating class achieved record setting proficiency scores. As Program Coordinator, facilitated the development of course content, lesson and team learning objectives and development of materials and approaches to meet changing user agency needs. Designed, developed, adapted and revised tests and quizzes, and applied evaluative tools to determine efficiency and accuracy of test materials. Designed teaching plans and objectives. As a Mentor, effectively promoted an atmosphere of cooperation, harmony and team spirit.
Foreign Language Team Mentor/ Training Instructor
Served as the role model for my team and coordinated team training and education. Organized the sequencing of instructional materials and provided teaching assignments. Coordinated modification and supplementation of the curriculum. Facilitated needs analyses with other team members. Facilitated the design, development and validation of new proficiency-oriented materials. Reviewed materials for currency and effectiveness in relation to course objectives and updated existing course materials. Utilized the audiovisual global structural approach and computer applications (interactive video disk; implementation of HyperCard instructional materials).As a Training Instructor, taught courses in Basic Arabic (“Go”; Syrian Dialect; Modern Standard Arabic) and conducted remedial sessions, corrected homework, counseled students and provided remediation program with follow up. As a team member, developed a variety of materials such as speaking exercises, translation activities, grammatical notes, daily quizzes and tests. Material was shared with other team members. Reviewed existing tests and quizzes for correction and updating. Met with students regularly to discuss individual feedback. Recommended methods for improvement and provided timely results of tests.
Course writer
Developed supplementary and enrichment materials, grammatical notes and exercises, homework assignments and drills for a basic course implementing the audiovisual global structural approach in Modern Standard Arabic. Course entitled, “From the Gulf to the Ocean.”
Ph.D. Committee Member
Second reader of Ph.D. dissertation for Ph.D. candidate from the University of San Francisco, Department of Education.
Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon (1981- 1983)
Associate Professor of Comparative Literature, English Department
Taught courses on Arab-American writers (graduate seminars), World Literature, Literary Criticism and Romantic and Victorian Poetry. Served on the Curriculum and Development Committee which was tasked with facilitating and restructuring the Master of Arts Program and creating the Ph.D. program. Planned, organized and developed new language courses. Served as Advisor to undergraduate students. Coordinated students’ activities and recommended specific courses. Supervised master’s theses of graduate students.
School for International Training, Brattleboro, VT (summer 1981)
Instructor of Arabic Language/ Cultural Informant
Taught all levels of Arabic language in an intensive summer program. Developed and revised course material: lessons, grammatical exercises, cultural background and tests.
Yale University, New Haven, CT (1980-1981)
Visiting Lecturer of Arabic Language and Literature
Taught courses that included Beginning and Advanced Colloquial Arabic, Advanced Classical Arabic and Arabic Literature in Translation (Classical and Modern).Designed and developed material for the Colloquial Arabic course: textbook, oral and written exercises, tests and quizzes.
Berlitz School of Languages, New Haven, CT (1981)
Instructor of Arabic Language/Interpreter/Translator
Implemented Berlitz’ internationally renowned teaching methodology in teaching adult students from a range of backgrounds. Coordinated a rigorous schedule of translation, course development and interpretation to accomplish the projects assigned by the School Director. Designed and developed all of the material for an Arabic Cultural project. Developed an updated dialect course material. Served as an interpreter in local courts. This level of interpretation required an outstanding knowledge of Colloquial and Standard English, as well as basic knowledge of technical and legal terminology.
State University of New York, Binghamton, NY (1976-1980)
Supervisor of the Arabic Division of “Translation Research & Instruction Program”
Coordinated efforts of five translators, which culminated in the publication of two volumes of poetry by the University. Selected material (prose and poetry), acted as a technical and linguistic resource for the translators and edited the translations prior to publication. Publications included works of many writers including my own.
Teaching Assistant
Taught courses on Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Arabic, Composition, Topics in Arabic Literature, Selections from Classical and Modern Arabic Literature. Developed, selected and adapted new materials (Intermediate and Advanced courses).Produced supplementary exercises, tests and quizzes. Created all materials for two Language Labs. Established comprehensive series of tapes of Modern Standard Arabic and Syrian Dialect. Recorded tapes on Arabic poetry in Vernacular language (Zajal) and on Classical and Modern Arabic Literature. Tutored Arabic Literature, Rhetoric, and Prosody.
Doron Precision Systems, Inc., Binghamton, NY (1979)
Translator
Translated a driver’s manual for use in Saudi Arabia which required a thorough knowledge of technical terminology and an excellent command of Modern Standard Arabic and English. Manuscript was approved and published by the Saudi government. I also recorded the manuscript on a film strip that illustrated the driver’s manual.
Logos Development Corporation, Middletown, NY (1979)
Linguistic Consultant for computerized translation program
In charge of the Arabic language components for a state-of-the-art translation program (English to Arabic). Designed specific equivalents; rewrote linguistic and grammatical rules; compiled extensive vocabulary and phrases with English equivalents. Served as advisor on matters of language usage and complexities of translation.
Mansourieh Secondary School, Mansourieh, Lebanon (Summer 1976)
Principal
Responsible for administrative and academic functions of the school. Selected teachers, approved the general schedule and the program of instruction. Updated the curriculum, conducted weekly faculty meetings, and approved the budget.
Green Hill College, Beirut, Lebanon (1974-1976)
Senior Instructor of Arabic Language, Literature and Prosody
Taught Arabic literature, language and grammar. Developed supplementary material, tests, and quizzes. Coordinator of the Arabic Program for the Secondary classes. Supervised cultural and academic activities. Organized a series of lectures by prominent writers.
Tabit High School, Mansourieh, Lebanon (1973- 1974)
Senior Instructor of Arabic Grammar, Rhetoric and History
Taught courses on all levels of Arabic language with emphasis on rhetoric and prosody. Selected textbook materials. Scheduled remedial sessions. Developed supplementary and enrichment materials.
Christian Teaching Institute, Beirut, Lebanon (Summer 1973)
Instructor of Arabic
Supervised Arabic component of the intensive summer program. Selected textbook materials and taught advanced courses in language and culture.
Publications
Books:
§ Modern Standard Arabic: Reading Comprehension Practice, a series of six online pamphlets which cover elementary to advanced Arabic, Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, 2010.
§ A Course in Colloquial Arabic: Lebanese Dialect, a textbook for students of Levantine Arabic, Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, 2009.
§ The Story of Sami and Warda, a textbook for students of Arabic on the elementary and intermediate levels, first edition, 2005, Daccache Printing House, Beirut, Lebanon.
§ William Blake and Kahlil Gibran: Poets of Prophetic Vision. A book of literary criticism. Notre Dame University Press (NDU), Louaize, Lebanon. First Edition, 2002.
§ Awdat al-Faris wa Qiyamat al-Madina (“The Return of the Hero and the Resurrection of the City"), a book of poetry. Dakkash Publishing Company, Beirut, Lebanon. First Edition, 2002.
§ al-Ghurba wa Mawasim al-Dhalam (Exile and the Seasons of Darkness), a book of poetry in Classical Arabic, (al-Muassasa al-Jami’iya lil Dirasat wal- Nashr wal-tawzi’, (M.A.J.D.), Beirut, 1983.
§ William Blake and Kahlil Gibran: Poets of Prophetic Vision, (SUNY at Binghamton, Binghamton, 1980), Ph.D. dissertation.
§ Law Kunti Li (If You Were Mine), a book of poetry in Classical Arabic, Introduction by Buland al-Haidari and Bakri Shaykh Amin, (Zaidan Publishing House, Beirut, 1972).
§ Qasa’id Bila Tarikh (Undated Poems), a book of poetry in Classical Arabic and Colloquial Lebanese dialect, Introduction by George Matouq, (Zaidan Publishing House, Beirut, 1972).
§ Maw’id wa-liqa’ (Engagement and Encounter), a book of poetry in Classical Arabic and Lebanese Vernacular dialect, (Zaidan Publishing House, Beirut, 1971).
Selections of My Poetry:
§ “A Poem for Mother’s Day” (English), published online: www.tabsir.net, April 2012.
§ “To MaryAnn on her Birthday” (English), published online: www.tabsir.net, April 2009.
§ “Lubnaniyat” (Arabic), published online: www.georgeel-hage.com, 2008.
§ “The Garden of Visions” (Arabic), published online: www.georgeel-hage.com, 2008.
§ “Najwa” (Arabic), published online: www.georgeel-hage.com, 2008.
§ “Beirut Speaks” (English translation), published online: www.tabsir.net, April 2007.
§ “The Book of Death, Number 28” (English translation), published online: www.tabsir.net, April 2007.
§ “Journey of Illusion” (English translation), published online: www.tabsir.net, May 2007.
§ “Lebanese Hymns of Love and War” (English translation), published online: www.tabsir.net, May 2007.
§ “A Letter to the Children of Qana” (English translation), published online: www.tabsir.net, August 2006
§ “My People” (English translation), published online: www.tabsir.net, April 2007.
§ “You, Beirut and the Children” (English translation), published online: www.tabsir.net, June 2007.
§ “Letter to a Country with No Frontier” (English translation), published online: www.tabsir.net, July 2007.
§ Selections from my book: Law Kunti Li (If You Were Mine), and my two manuscripts “Unshudat al-Hub Wa al-Harb” (“Hymns of Love and War”), “Kitab al Mawt” (“The Book of Death”) in Nimrod, Arabic Literature: Then and Now, vol. 24, no. 2, Spring/Summer 1981, trans. Diana Malouf, Allan Lederman, Ben Bennani, intro. Khalil Semaan, ed. Roger Allen (Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa, Tulsa, 1981).
§ Selections from my book: Law Kunti Li (If You Were Mine), and my manuscript “Kitab al-Mawt” (“The Book of Death”) in Doubles/Dialogues: A Folio of Poetry Translations, vol. 2, trans. Diana Malouf, ed. Marilyn Gaddis Rose (SUNY at Binghamton, Binghamton, 1980).
§ Selections from my manuscript, “Unshudat al-Hub wa al-Harb” (“Hymns of Love and War “) inTranscriptions/Inscriptions: A Folio of Poetry Translations, Trans. Allan Lederman, ed. Marilyn Gaddis Rose (SUNY at Binghamton, Binghamton, 1979).
My Translations of Other Works:
§ My Translation of the "Letters of Badr Shakir al-Sayyab" with an Introduction, Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII, Part IX, published online: www.tabsir.net, 2007.
§ My Translation of selections from Ameen al-Rihani's book, al-Rihaniyyat, published online: www.tabsir.net, May 2007.
§ “Munajayat Al-Sab‘in”(ARABIC) (“Orisons of the Seventies”(ENGLISH)): ‘Aziz Al-Sayyid Jasim’s Latest Prose Poems, translation and introduction, in Journal of Arabic Literature, Volume XXXVII, No. 2, 2006, Brill Publishers, Leiden, the Netherlands.
§ My Translation of Mahmud Darwish’s poem, “Antithesis,” Dedicated to the memory of Edward Said, in the Journal of Arabic Literature, Vol. XXXVI, No. 1. 2005. Brill Publishers, Leiden, the Netherlands.
§ My Translation of ‘Abd al-Wahhab al-Bayati’s: “The Byzantine Poems of Abu Firas” in the Journal of Arabic Literature, Vol. XXXVI, No. 2. 2005. Brill Publishers, Leiden, the Netherlands.
§ My Translation of “Gibran’s Unpublished Letters to Archbishop Antonious Bashir” in the Journal of Arabic Literature, Vol. XXXVI, No. 2. 2005. Brill Publishers, Leiden, the Netherlands.
Articles:
§ “Gibran Kahlil Gibran and William Blake: Poets of Peace and Redemption” in Dahesh Voice., Vol. 12, No. 3, Fall 2007.
§ “Khamriyyat ibn al-Farid (Ode on Wine): A Critical Introduction with a Complete Translation and Notes” published online: www.Tabsir.net, July 2007.
§ “Abu Tammam and Al-Buhturi: Revisiting Their Relationship and Role in Medieval Arabic Poetry” in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 2, No. 4, Spring 2006.
§ “Gibran Kahlil Gibran: A Timeless and Universal Vision” published online: www.Tabsir.net, 2006.
§ “Beirut ’75 by Ghada al-Samman: An Autobiographical Interpretation” in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 9, No. 4, 2004.
§ “A Communicative Approach to Teaching Arabic in Academia, Part II” in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 8, No. 4, 2003.
§ “A Communicative Approach to Teaching Arabic in Academia, Part I” in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 8, No. 3, 2003.
§ “A Statement of Belief on Foreign Language Teaching and Acquistion"
§ “Badr-Shakir al-Sayyab and the Role of the Modern Arab Poet” in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 9, No. 2, 2003.
§ “Sahifat al-Risalat al-Lubnaniyya al-Mahjariyya” a study of the history of the Arabic press in al-Mahjar with a critical evaluation and analysis of newly discovered issues of an Arabic weekly called al-Risalat. Issues dated from May 1932 to April 1933 are in my possession, in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 8, No. 2, 2002.
§ “Gibran Kahlil Gibran: The Man Versus the Legend” in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 7, No. 3, 2002.
§ “Madkhal ila al-Alam al-shi’ri ‘inda Khalil Hawi: Usluban wa madmunan” (Part Two) (“An Introduction to the Poetic World of Khalil Hawi: A Study of the Content of His Poetry and Style”) in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 7, No. 1.(The Daheshist Publishing Co., Ltd., New York, 2001)
§ “Madkhal ila al-Alam al-shi’ri ‘inda Khalil Hawi: Usluban wa madmunan” (Part One) (“An Introduction to the Poetic World of Khalil Hawi: A Study of the Content of His Poetry and Style”) in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 6, No. 4.(The Daheshist Publishing Co., Ltd., New York, 2001)
§ “al-zajal al-lubnani wa zaghloul al-Damour fi Beit Meri" (Part Two) (“Lebanese Zajal and Zaghloul al-Damour in Beit Meri”), a study of the Lebanese Zajal heritage focusing on Zaghloul as the primary representative of this oral tradition with a critical analysis of his poems and those of Moosa Zughaib in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 6, No. 2, (The Daheshist Publishing Co., Ltd., New York, 2000).
§ “al-zajal al-lubnani wa zaghloul al-Damour fi Beit Meri" (Part One) (“Lebanese Zajal and Zaghloul al-Damour in Beit Meri”), a study of the Lebanese Zajal heritage focusing on Zaghloul as the primary representative of this oral tradition with a critical analysis of his poems and those of Moosa Zughaib in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 6, No. 1, (The Daheshist Publishing Co., Ltd., New York, 2000).
§ “Mukhtarat min unshudat al-Hub wa al-Harb” (“Selections from Hymns of Love and War 1976”), poetic prose in Classical Arabic in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 5, No. 4, (The Daheshist Publishing Co., Ltd., New York, 2000).
§ “Kahlil Gibran and William Blake: Poets of Prophetic Vision,” The University of Maryland, Kahlil Gibran Research and Studies Project, The First International Conference on Kahlil Gibran - The official Conference Report, Unity of Vision and Ethics: Conference Papers, 2000, <http://www.bsos.umd.edu/cidcm/gibran/>.
§ “A Reading of Kahlil Gibran: Man and Poet,” a critical review of Bushrui’s book, in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 5, No. 2 (The Daheshist Publishing Co., Ltd., New York, 1999).
§ “Letters to My Son”, prose in Arabic, in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 4, No. 3 (The Daheshist Publishing Co., Ltd., New York, 1998).
§ “Beirut Speaks” and “Suicide”, two poems in Arabic, in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 4, No.2 (The Daheshist Publishing Co., Ltd., New York, 1998).
§ “William Blake and Kahlil Gibran: Poets of Prophetic Vision”, a series of eight articles published in different volumes of Dahesh Voice, (The Daheshist Publishing Co., Ltd., New York):
§ “The God-man and the Antichrist”, Part Two, “The God-man”, Vol. 3, No.4, March 1998).
§ “The God-man and the Antichrist”, Part One, “The Antichrist”, Vol. 3, No. 3, December 1997).
§ “A More Fertile and Daring Creator”, Part Two, “Nature”, Vol. 3, No. 2, September 1997).
§ “A More Fertile and Daring Creator”, Part One, “Imagination”, Vol. 3, No. 1, June 1997).
§ “New Vision”, part two, “On Prophecy”, Vol. 2, No. 4, March 1997).
§ “New Vision”, part one “On Poetry”, Vol. 2, No. 3, December 1996).
§ “The Buds that will Blossom”, Vol. 2, No. 2, September 1996).
§ “A Mental Prince or A Child of Light?”, Vol. 2, No. 1, June 1996).
§ “A Definition of Gibran's Circle of Creativity: A Fulfilled Vision and a Well-deserved Grace", in The Encyclopedia of Gibran Kahlil Gibran, First Edition, Vol. 19, Gibran's Bicentennial Edition, (Noblis Publishing House, Beirut, 1997).
§ “A Eulogy for Beirut” , poem in Arabic, in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 2, No. 4, (The Daheshist Publishing Co., Ltd., New York, 1997).
§ “Najmat Alsharq” (“Star of the Orient”), poem in Arabic, in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 2, No. 2, (The Daheshist Publishing Co., Ltd., New York, 1996).
§ “Beirut Speaks”, poem in Arabic, “The Pre-Islamic Era: An Introduction to its Religion, Politics and Literature” in Lughatud-Daad, monthly cultural magazine, (Defense Language Institute, Arabic Dept., Presidio of Monterey, 1987).
§ “al-Nabi bayna ‘adu al-Masih wa al-Insan al-llah” (“The Prophet among the Antichrist and the God-Man”) inDirasat: Lettres et sciences humaines, 11 annee, no. 13. (Universite Libanaise, Faculte de Pedagogie, Beyrouth, 1984).
§ “H.D. Thoreau and William Blake: The Seeds of Revolution and Prophecy” in Dirasat: Lettres et sciences humaines, 11 annee, no. 11. (Universite Libanaise, Faculte de Pedagogie, Beyrouth, 1984).
§ “Ru'ya wa Ni'ma Mutakaamilah” in al-Anwar, Beirut, April 16, 1983. Article # 7 in a special series on Kahlil Gibran.
§ “Freud on Literature and Art” in Dirasat: Lettres et sciences humaines, 10 annee, no. 12. (Universite Libanaise, Faculte de Pedagogie, Beyrouth, 1983).
§ “T.S. Eliot’s Influence on Salah Abdel Sabour” in Dirasat: Lettres et sciences humaines, 11 annee, no. 11. (Universite Libanaise, Faculte de Pedagogie, Beyrouth, 1983).
§ “Themes and Trends in Contemporary Lebanese and Arab Criticism”, in al-Anwar, Beirut, July 1983.
§ “Gibran: His Place in Modern Arabic Literature” in al-Anwar, Beirut, June 1983.
§ “Gibran the Politician: A Lebanese Nationalist” in al-Muntada, vol. 4, Beirut, April 1983.
§ “Curriculum Development in the Lebanese University; Present and Future Outlook” in al-Ahrar, vol. 2956, Beirut, March 1983.
§ “Gibran Kahlil Gibran wa William Blake: Sha’ira al-Ru’ya” in Dirasat: Lettres et sciences humaines, 9 annee, no. 10. (Universite Libanaise, Faculte de Pedagogie, Beyrouth, 1982).
§ “Ma’sat al-Hallaj” (The Tragedy of al-Hallaj”) in al-Wahda: Arab Club Magazine, (Cornell University, Ithaca, 1980).
§ “Hiwar hawla almashakil al Tullabiyya wa almanahij almadrasiyya aljadida” (“Interview and Interpretation: The Possibilities of New Methods of Education in a Lebanese College”) in al-Yunbu’, annual journal of Christian Teaching Institute, (Christian Teaching Institute, Beirut, 1971).
§ Editor of the al-Yunbu’, annual journal of the Christian teaching Institute, Beirut, Lebanon, 1971.
§ “Thawany al’umr” (“Life: In Seconds”), poem in Arabic, in al-Amalid, vol. 7, annual journal of Brummana National School, (Brummana National School, Brummana, 1969).
Works Accepted for Publication:
§ My translation of “Twenty One Selected Letters of Badr Shakir al-Sayyab” in the Journal of Arabic Literature.
§ A selection of twelve poems from my three books of Arabic poetry in a new volume on modern Arabic poetry in North America. Edited by Nakhle Badr and published by the Levant Educational Foundation, Los Angeles, CA..
Works Ready for Publication:
§ “Unshudat al-Hub wa al-Harb” (“Hymns of Love and War”), a book of poetic prose in Classical Arabic, trans. Allan Lederman.
§ “Kitab al-Mawt” (“The Book of Death”), a book of poetic prose in Classical Arabic.
Works In Progress:
§ “The Story of the Flood: A Comparative Analysis between the Epic of Gilgamesh and Genesis”.
§ “Colloquial Arabic: A Basic Course in Transliteration and Arabic script”.
§ “Modern Standard Arabic: Authentic Texts for Proficiency and Comprehension”.
§ A new book of poetry.
§ “The Heritage Language Learner: A Case Study.”
§ “Nizar Qabbani: A poet without a mask”.
Recognition
Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC)
Received the highest performance ratings during my entire tenure as Dean for my leadership abilities, my faculty development initiatives, and my students’ academic results, 2007-2012.
Received the Provost’s Team Excellence Award for achieving the highest results in Arabic MSA on the 50-week Special Project Foreign Area Officers’ class, 2011.
Received the “Coin of Excellence” from the NSA and the Associate Provost for creating an innovative new “blended approach” to teaching Arabic MSA and dialect. Led the team that implemented a pilot in Iraqi and Levantine dialect using the new approach. Achieved outstanding proficiency results on both the Iraqi pilot class (2009) and the Levantine pilot class (2010).
Columbia University
Promoted to Senior Lecturer in Arabic Studies. July 2005.
Letter of congratulations from the Chair of the Presidential Teaching Awards Committee for being selected one of the finalists for the 2004 Presidential Teaching Awards, March 2004.
Recipient of the Gordon Gray, Jr. Senior Lectureship in Arabic Studies.
American University of Beirut
Two letters of appreciation from Dr. Jack Tohme and the Vice President of the University for Development and External Relations for my poetry (zajal) presentation, New York, Oct. 2004.
The Lauder Institute, The Wharton School
University of Pennsylvania
Letter of thanks from the Managing Director for my presentation on “The Life and Works of Ghada Al-Samman with Special Emphasis on her Novel.” November, 2003.
Beirut Youth Cultural Society
Certificate of Recognition and Official Honorary Shield presented by the Governing Board of the Beirut Youth Cultural Society and endorsed by His Excellency the Prime Minister of Lebanon for founding the Beirut Youth Cultural Society in 1972, authoring the by laws and acting as the first and permanent honorary president in Lebanon and abroad, Beirut, June 27, 2001.
Dar al-Mahabba
Certificate of Recognition and an Honorary Diploma conferred by the Board of Trustees of Dar al-Mahabba for my literary contributions, research, and creative writing both in Lebanon and abroad, Beirut, June 27, 2001.
Rotary Club, Cortland, NY
Letter of Appreciation for presenting a lecture on the Middle East to the club members (Feb, 1999)
Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC), Monterey, CA
Letter of Recognition from School Dean for achieving the highest results in the graduating class of the Arabic Basic Course and for maintaining 0% attrition (1990-1993)
Consistently selected by School Dean as a “Master Teacher” to represent the Middle East School’s teaching methodology to all VIP’s visiting from major universities and the Department of Defense
Achieved “Exceptional Performance Rating” (1983-1993 consecutively)
Letter of Recognition from School Dean for being selected to demonstrate the “Model Classroom” to Governor Wilson (CA) and the representatives from Washington
Letter of Appreciation on behalf of Class 92-93 for excellence in teaching (1993)
Letter of Appreciation from School Dean for conducting the workshop “Cross-Cultural Communication” which benefited the entire faculty by teaching them new skills (1992)
Selected by School Dean to represent and explain the Institute’s objectives and the Middle East School’s curriculum to the “Board of Visitors” from Washington for the purpose of re-accrediting the Institute (1991)
Selected by the faculty of the Middle East School as their representative in the “Faculty Advisory Council” (1991)
Certificate of Appreciation for active participation and meaningful contribution to the success of the annual DLIFLC Language Day activities (1991)
Letter of Recognition for organizing and participating in the “Round Table Academic Discussions” (1991)
Selected to teach the Foreign Area Officers’ class. This class is taught to high government officials and requires outstanding teaching qualities and professionalism (1989)
Letter of Appreciation from Col. William Kinard for conducting the workshop “Cross-Cultural Communication” (1989)
Letter of Recognition from the Chairperson of the Arabic Department for contributions and achievements as a Supervisor and Manager (1988)
Certificate of Appreciation from the Equal Employment Opportunity Manager for my contributions as the Chairman of the Statistics and Analysis Committee and as an active member of the Public Relations Committee (1987)
Certificate of Commendation and Quality Step Increase for exceptional performance as a Supervisor (1986-1987)
Certificate of Achievement from the Commandant for serving as a course writer of “From the Gulf to the Ocean”, a course in Modern Standard Arabic (1986)
Letter of Commendation and Appreciation from Col. Robert DePhilippis for my lecture, “Language: A Living Being” (1986)
Letter of Appreciation from the Project Officer of Course Development for my contributions in the development and recording of the Syrian Dialect Course
American Biographical Institute
International Directory of Distinguished Leadership (1991)
Five Thousand Personalities of the World (1991)
Two Thousand Notable American Men (1991)
Who’ Who in the World (1986)
State University of New York, Binghamton, NY
Teaching Assistantship (1976-1980)
Passed Ph.D. comprehensive examination with distinction
Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
Scholarship to study abroad (1976)
First Prize for Poetry Reading (1973)
First Prize for highest grades among first year students of Arabic Language and Literature
Christian Teaching Institute, Beirut Lebanon
First Prize for writing and directing a play in Modern Arabic prose, “The Meaning of Christmas”
Professional Activities/ Memberships
Lectures
Presented “Teaching Arabic For Proficiency versus for the DLPT,” DLIFLC, 2012.
Presented “Recall Protocol and Content-Based Instruction,” DLIFLC, 2012.
Presented “How to Select Authentic, Semi-Authentic, and Super-Authentic Material,” DLIFLC, 2011.
Presented “Team Building and Enhanced Team Communication,” DLIFLC, 2010.
Presented “Implementation of the LIFT (Leaders in Front Teaching) Initiative and Elements of Effective Teaching,” DLIFLC, 2009.
Presented “HEAD TO TOE” (“Highly Enhanced Authentic Discourse Delivered by a Team of Experts”), an innovative approach to team teaching, DLIFLC, 2008.
Presented “The New Arabic Basic Course: Issues and Solutions,” DLIFLC, 2008.
Presented “Meaningful Homework and the Use of the Target Language and Cultural Information in the Classroom,” DLIFLC, 2008.
Presented an evening of Lebanese zajal poetry at the event “Lebanon: A Story of Survival.” Organized by the Cedars Organization of Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral, Brooklyn, NY, Fall 2006.
Participated in “Arab Culture Week” of Turath, the Arab Students Organization at Columbia University. Reading of my poetry in both Fusha and Zajal, Fall 2006.
Presented an evening of zajal poetry at Alwaan for the Arts, New York City, Fall 2006.
“Evening with the Poetry of Mahmoud Darwish.” Read excerpts of my translation of his poem, “Antithesis.” Columbia University, Fall 2006.
“Variations on Curriculum Design between Academia and the Defense Language Institute.” Lecture presented at the Defense Language Institute, Foreign Language Center, June 2006.
“Gibran Kahlil Gibran and Anglo-American Romanticism” A lecture presented at the Arabic Studies Seminar, Columbia University. October 2005.
“Khalil Hawi and the Role of the Modern Arab Poet.” Lecture delivered at the Department of Near Eastern Studies, Princeton University. April 2005.
“Yusuf Abdel Samad and Contemporary Arabic Poetry” AUB Hall, NYC. April 2005.
Presented an evening of poetry (zajal) with Yusuf Abdel Samad, at “Alwan for the Arts” NYC January 2005.
“Kahlil Gibran and Arabic Literature in the USA” A symposium presented at the Fiske Planitarium Auditorium, University of Colorado, March 2005.
Presented an evening of Lebanese Zajal poetry during the festival: From Bukhara to Beirut, sung poetry from the Islamic World. Symphony Space, NYC. April 2005.
Participated on a panel, The Cultural Development of the Arab Mind, sponsored by the Arabic Center for Dialogue and Research and the Arab Club at the United Nations, October 2004.
Presented an evening of poetry (zajal), sponsored by the Alumni Medical Doctors Class of 1974 of the American University of Beirut, October 2004.
"The Life and Works of Ghada Al-Samman with Special Emphasis on her Novel."
A seminar presented at The Lauder Institute, The Wharton School, University of
Pennsylvania, 2003.
"The Middle East and the West : Concepts and Misconceptions in Global Issues both
Ancient and Current." Calvary Episcopal Church, New York City, 2003.
"Poetry Reading", Matinee of Arabic Poetry and Music, sponsored by the Department
of Middle East and Asian Languages and Cultures. Columbia University, 2003.
"Shock Classes in Arabic." Teaching Fellow Orientation Workshop.
Columbia University, 2003.
"Kahlil Gibran: His Life and Works." A seminar presented at The Lauder Institute,
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 2002.
"Reflections on the Life and Poetry of Badr Shakir al-Sayyab." With a reading of his
poem "Unshudat al-Matar" in both Arabic and English, Columbia University 2002.
Featured on Columbia's homepage Video Forum.
“Lunch and Discussion on the Middle East". Columbia University, New York, NY 2001.
“The Middle East Today: Fact vs. Fiction”, Scholar’s Day, SUNY College at Cortland, NY 2000.
“Kahlil Gibran and William Blake: Poets of Prophetic Vision”, First International Conference on Gibran, University of Maryland, 1999.
“The Middle East on the Eve of the Millennium”, Temple Brith Sholom, Cortland, NY, 1999.
“The Middle East: An Update”, Rotary Club, Cortland, NY, 1999.
“The History of Islam”, Temple Brith Sholom, Cortland, NY, 1998.
“Islam and the Current Situation in the Middle East”, Rotary Club, Cortland, NY, 1998.
“Foreign Languages and the Future Job Market”, Homer High School, Homer, NY, 1998.
“Contemporary Arabic Poetry”, SUNY Binghamton, 1998.
“Khalil Hawi in Memoriam,” SUNY Binghamton, 1998.
“How to Have an Effective Parent-Teacher Conference”, Cortland-Homer Teacher Center, 1996.
“How to Read and Appreciate Poetry”, Homer Intermediate School, 1996.
“Teaching Arabic in the USA”, DLI, 1994.
“Learning to Read or Reading to Learn: Effective Techniques on Listening and Reading
for Proficiency”, DLI, 1994.
Originator and Moderator of bimonthly literary roundtable of academic discussion,
DLI, 1986-1993.
“The Middle East: Then and Now”, Rotary Club, Monterey, CA 1993.
“Modern Arabic Poetry”, DLI, 1993.
“The Arab Family Abroad”. DLI, 1993.
“The Role of Women in the Arab World”, DLI, 1993.
“Pre-Islamic Arabia”, DLI, 1993.
“The Use, Application and Selection of Authentic Texts”, DLI, 1993.
“Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language to American Adult Students”, DLI, 1993.
“Islamic History: Insights and Analysis”, DLI, 1992.
“Arabic Civilization and Thought”, DLI, 1992.
“Medieval Arabic Poetry: An Overview”, DLI, 1992.
“Cross-Cultural Communication”, DLI, 1992.
“Gibran Kahlil Gibran”, DLI, 1992.
“Introduction to Romanticism”, DLI, 1992.
“Lebanon: A Nation Under Siege”, Rotary Club, Monterey, CA, 1991.
“Western Influences on Modern Arabic Poetry”, DLI, 1991.
“Diglossia”, DLI, 1989.
“Language: A Living Being”, DLI, 1986.
“The Arabic Language: A Cultural Analysis”, DLI, 1986.
“Culture and Religion in Prewar Lebanon”, DLI, 1984.
Commencement speech at the Christian Teaching Institute, Beirut, Lebanon, 1983.
“Gibran Kahlil Gibran wa William Blake: Sha’ira al-Ru’ya”, Lebanese University, 1982
“The Free-Lebanon Movement”, SUNY Binghamton, 1980.
“al-Shi’r wa al-iltizam”, SUNY Binghamton, 1979.
Poetry Readings
As a published poet in Modern Standard Arabic and Lebanese Dialect, I have been invited to give numerous poetry readings from my own works (both published and unpublished). Invitations have been extended from the Arabic Departments at Columbia University, the Defense Language Institute, the Comparative Literature Department and the Arabic Circle at the State University of New York at Binghamton, the Arab Club at Cornell University, the Christian Teaching Institute in Beirut, Lebanon, the Arab Club in Monterey, CA and the Arab Club and the Literary Circle in Beirut, Lebanon. Since 1972, I have given scores of readings from my own poetry.
Interviews
Personal interview on poetry and language by the GLOBE, Winter Issue 2011, DLIFLC
“Learning Your Alif, Ba, Tas. Arabic Students Struggling, Organizing to Learn Difficult Language.” Columbia Spectator, November 2005.
“Unique Arabic Courses Introduced to Columbia” Columbia Spectator, June, 2002,
“New Columbia Arabic Summer Program to be Launched Through Continuing Education." Columbia University's Record, 2002.
“Columbia Arabic Summer Program" Voice of America Radio, 2002.
“Kahlil Gibran on Modernizing Arabic Language and Poetry”, KAZU Radio,
Pacific Grove, CA 1991.
“The Middle East Crisis”, Channel 7 Television, Binghamton, NY, 1982.
“Crisis in Lebanon”, Public Broadcasting television, Binghamton, NY, 1982.
“The Middle East Crisis”, WIBX Radio, Utica, NY, 1978.
Conferences
Attended and presented on the Arabic Dialect Program at DLIFLC at the Language Flagship Annual Meeting, University of Portland, Oregon, May 2012.
Participated in a job fair to interview, evaluate and recruit Levantine and Iraqi Arabic teachers, Dearborn, Michigan, October 2011.
Attended MESA Conference and participated in a roundtable discussion on teaching MSA versus dialect and how best to develop a curriculum, San Diego, CA, 2010.
Invited to serve on the Boron Fellowship Review Panel in Washington, DC, 2010.
Attended and presented at the DELTAB meeting in Washington, DC on the development, progress and success of the Iraqi Dialect Course, 2010.
Presented on the Arabic Curriculum at the FAO Summit, DLIFLC, 2010.
Presented to the BOV for accreditation on the Iraqi and Levantine Dialects, DLIFLC, 2010.
Attended and participated at the NSEP session at the Flagship Annual Meeting, Monterey, CA 2010.
Presented “In House Training at DLI” at the conference on foreign languages, the University of Texas, Austin, January 2010.
Presented “The Iraqi and Levantine Dialect Course: A Dean’s Perspective” at the Arabic LEARN conference in West Point, NY, 2010.
Attended ACTFL and led an impromptu session on teaching MSA versus dialect, San Diego, November 2009.
Represented DLIFLC in information exchange and lessons learned in the teaching of Arabic with DLI Washington and the Foreign Service Institute, Washington, DC, August 2009.
Selected to represent DLIFLC at the Danish Defense Institute to initiate discussion on the teaching of MSA and Dialect for a pilot Iraqi dialect class, December 2008.
Represented DLIFLC and met with the leadership team to assess the current curriculum and students’ proficiency in Arabic at Fort Gordon, September 2008.
Attended 2006 MESA Conference, Boston, MA, and conducted interviews for candidates applying to Columbia University’s Arabic position, November 2006.
Attended and participated in the 2005 MESA Conference, Washington D.C. November 2005. Presented a paper entitled: “Badr Shakir al-Sayyab and the Role of the Modern Arab Poet.”
“Total Immersion Curriculum for the Advanced Levels in Arabic” with Foazi El-Barouki, DLI. A workshop presented at the North East Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. NYC, April 2005.
Invited to present a paper and participate in the “Oxford Round Table” discussion of a special session entitled “Global Security in the 21st Century” at Lincoln College, in the University of Oxford, England.
Invited to give a presentation and participate in the Second International Conference on Kahlil Gibran. April 2006. University of Maryland, College Park.
Attended and participated in the 2004 MESA conference, San Francisco, November 2004. Presented a paper entitled, “Beirut ’75 by Ghada al-Samman: An Autobiographical
Interpretation.” Also chaired a panel, “Dynamics of Culture in the Gulf Arab States: Part II.” And represented MEALAC at the meeting of the Center for Arab Study Abroad (CASA).
Attended the “Seventeenth Annual Symposium on Arabic Linguistics,” sponsored by the
Arabic Linguistics Society (ALS), the University of Oklahoma, March 2004
Attended ACTFL, Pennsylvania, 2003.
Attended AATA, Pennsylvania, 2003.
Attended "Foreign Languages Collaborations and the Web." Conference of the Consortium for Language Teaching and Learning. The University of Pennsylvania, 2002.
Invited to present a paper on the contemporary Lebanese/Arab poet, Khalil Hawi,
at the Arabic Literature Seminar held in conjunction with the ACLA annual convention,
San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2002.
Invited to present a paper and participate in the open discussion at the Conference
of L' Academie Culturelle Arabe in Amman, Jordan, December 2002.
Attended and read a paper at the First International Conference on Kahlil Gibran
at the University of Maryland, 1999.
Attended ACTFL, Monterey, CA 1989.
Attended ACLA, New York University, NY, 1982.
Attended MESA, Washington, DC, 1980.
Attended Comparative Literature Association, Chicago, IL, 1978.
Attended ACLA, Graduate Student Conference, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 1978.
Memberships/Committees
Appointed by the Commandant to serve on the 2012 Professor Rand Advancement Board, DLIFLC 2012.
Chair of the Grammar Clinic Training Committee to train faculty in enhancing their understanding and teaching of Arabic grammar concepts, DLIFLC 2007-2011.
Chair of the task force that conducted school-wide research on student and team motivation. Results were used to improve morale and standards, DLIFLC 2009 – 2010.
Chair of the committee to review the Arabic Basic Course syllabi. Resulted in a significant improvement to the Arabic program curriculum, DLIFLC, 2007-2010.
Chair of MEALAC Search Committee for selecting and hiring two new full time lecturers in Arabic Studies, Columbia University, Fall 2006, Spring 2007.
MEALAC Search Committee member to interview and select a new full time lecturer in Hindi/Urdu, Columbia University, Fall 2006.
Fulbright Campus Committee member to review applications for evaluation and nomination, Columbia University, Fall 2006.
Participated in the validation of the Defense Language Institute’s Proficiency Test (DLPT). DLIFLC, Summer 2006.
Member of the screening committee for NSEP (National Security Education Program) serving as the Middle East expert to review applications and recommend candidates for scholarships, NSEP, 2006-2007.
Member of a MEALAC senior thesis committee for a translation project of an Arabic novel, Columbia University, 2006-2007.
Nominated to the Executive Board of AATA (American Association of Teachers of Arabic) 2007.
Co-Chair of MEALAC Search Committee for appointing a new Arabic Language Lecturer, Columbia University, 2005-2006.
Member of NECTFL, 2005.
MEALAC Search Committee Member for appointing a new Arabic Language Lecturer, Columbia University, 2004-2005.
MEALAC Review Committee member for faculty evaluation, Columbia University, 2004-2005.
Member of Ameen Rihani Organization, "Scholars’ Desk," 2002-present.
MEALAC Review Committee member for faculty evaluation, Columbia University, March 2003.
MEALAC Search Committee member for selecting a new Turkish Language
Lecturer, Columbia University,2003
MEALAC Committee Chair for Summer Language Program, Columbia University, 2003-2004.
MEALAC Committee member assigned to revise the Department’s Bylaws, Columbia University, 2004.
MEALAC Committee member to revise application for Title VI grant, Columbia University, 2002.
MEALAC search committee member for selecting a new Arabic language lecturer, Columbia University,2002.
Columbia Language Committee, Columbia University, 2000-2007.
Middle East Studies Association of North America (ongoing)
The Arabic Linguistics Society, 2000-2006.
American Association of Teachers of Arabic (ongoing).
Lebanese Studies Association 2000-2005.
Curriculum Committee, Columbia University, Dept. of Middle East and Asian Languages
and Cultures, 2000.
Better Business Bureau of Central New York, 1997- 1998.
Faculty Advisory Council, DLIFLC, 1991-1993.
Originator and Board Member of Middle East School Faculty Newsletter, DLIFLC, 1992.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Hispanic Employment Program Committee (HEPC), Chairman of Statistics and Analysis Committee and active in fund-raising activities, DLIFLC, 1987.
Arab-American Club of the Monterey Peninsula, 1986-1990.
Modern Language Association, 1982-1984.
National Teacher’s Association of Lebanon, 1973-1982.
Vice-President, Departmental Graduate Student Association, SUNY at Binghamton,
1977-1978.
Founder, President and Life Member, Beirut Youth Cultural Society, Beirut, Lebanon,
1972-present.
Vice-President, the Cultural Assembly, Christian Teaching Institute, Beirut, Lebanon,
1970-1972.
Management Enrichment
During my tenure as a manager at the Defense Language Institute, I completed a wide variety of training courses to enhance my managerial skills. These courses in part addressed the role of leadership in the areas of positive communication, sustaining group dynamics, sharpening negotiating skills and building team cohesiveness. This training also focused on reinforcing the importance of good interpersonal relations, eliminating or successfully defusing conflict in the work place, and keeping the lines of communication between management and employees open. Topics like why to hire the handicapped and prevention of sexual harassment were thoroughly explored.
Education
State University of New York, Binghamton, NY
Ph.D. in Comparative Literature
Major: Arabic Language/Literature
Minor: Anglo-American Romanticism
M.A. in Comparative Literature
Major: Comparative Literature
Minor: Arabic Language/Literature
Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
B.A. in Arabic language and Literature
Thirty-five years of highly successful experience in the field of Middle Eastern and Western language, literature and culture. Expertise is vested in teaching, publishing, course development, public speaking, consulting, translating, linguistics, creative writing, and managing teams and departments. Responsibilities as both an Arabist and a Comparatist include being a subject matter expert and a resource for fellow colleagues, academic professionals, students, the Federal government, service organizations, businesses and the local community.
Work Experience
Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC), Monterey, CA (July 2007 – present)
Professor/Dean, Middle East School III (December 2007 - present)
As dean, currently oversee approximately 130 faculty and 350-400 students, fifteen staff members, including an associate dean, an assistant dean, two academic specialists, five department chairs, a technology specialist, an immersion program specialist, a diagnostic assessment specialist, a test control specialist, a supply technician, and twelve military language instructors. Provide academic leadership to the faculty in the school devoted to instruction in MSA and Arabic dialects. Responsible for teaching programs, assessment programs, and academic support functions, including course and curriculum developments, program evaluation, faculty professional development, technology integrations, and the personnel and fiscal resources needed to support these activities. Represent the school and often the institute in professional and public meetings. Manage the school budget and all human, material, and technology resources. Responsible for hiring, faculty development, training, and retention. Have selected over 45 new faculty members. Responsible for the implementation of the Arabic language/culture curriculum. Implemented state-of-the-art technology in the classroom. Collaborated remotely with overseas Arabic Immersion Program leaders in Egypt, Morocco and Jordan on the curriculum, cultural activities, and the evaluation process for students. In my five-year tenure as dean, the student success rate of my school improved from 59% to 78.9%. Work closely with all divisions across the institute to foster a spirit of collaboration for the benefit of the institution at large. Serve on subcommittees for accreditation, curriculum development, evaluation, distance learning, and faculty hiring and compensation. Adopted an open door style of management. Sponsored quarterly newsletters, a suggestion box, open discussion forums, and a Dean’s Call. Conduct weekly staff meetings in which I provide management guidance and leadership development. Participate in bi-weekly meetings with all deans and associate provosts. Provide academic and cultural training to faculty and staff and lead quarterly roundtable discussions on linguistic, literary and cultural topics. Host an open house bi-annually in which we showcase model classrooms and enjoy student/faculty talent shows. Promote a strong learner community and a spirit of sharing best practices. Attend and present at national and international conferences.
Editor-in-chief, Middle East School III Chronicle (December 2008 – December 2010)
Responsible for the selection and editing of all articles for the quarterly journal published by Middle East School III, DLIFLC.
Arabic Editor, AAIM High 3 (August 2007 – December 2007)
Edited, “voweled,” and audio recorded the Arabic manuscript. Also, led a team to assist with the audio recording of these authentic texts, DLIFLC.
Professor/Academic Specialist (July 30, 2007 – December 2007)
Responsible for faculty training and development, curriculum review and supplementation, testing, evaluation and grading schemes, DLIFLC.
Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS), Monterey, California,
(Summer 2007)
Visiting Professor of Arabic, Summer Intensive Language Program (SILP)
Academic/ Activities Coordinator
Responsible for all academic and cultural aspects of the Arabic Intensive Summer Program; Interviewed and selected instructors, planned the curriculum, approved daily/weekly syllabus of instruction, quizzes, and testing material, organized and supervised all cultural activities
Columbia University, New York, NY (August 2000 – May 2007),
Department of Middle East and Asian Languages and Cultures
Gordon Gray, Jr. Senior Lecturer in Arabic Studies
Taught Elementary Arabic I, Elementary Arabic II, Intermediate Arabic I, Intermediate Arabic II, third year Arabic: Composition and Style in Arabic Literature, and Supervised Readings. Also taught in Columbia’s Arabic Summer Program. Developed a wide variety of proficiency-oriented supplemental and enrichment material, grammatical explanations, exercises, drills, and quizzes.
Developed and implemented a web-based project: “The Story of Sami and Warda,” which consists of twenty-two original authentic texts for listening and reading comprehension. Selected and developed web-based comprehension questions for eighteen Arabic texts. Established a tutoring program for all Arabic language students. Developed and taught a proficiency-based interactive curriculum for third year Arabic course entitled Media Arabic I and II. Syllabus based entirely on authentic texts and current events. Introduced and taught a new course specifically designed for “Heritage Students of Arabic”. This is an intensive course that combines elementary and intermediate curricula in one year. Created interactive syllabus and all course materials. Heritage course description is posted on MEALAC home page under Arabic.
Additional Supplementary Materials and Course Development:
In an effort to supplement the textbook with appropriate material that can help our students achieve the desired proficiency goal, I have developed a number of course packs for every level of Arabic that we teach. All this material has been validated in the classroom and is being used by our Arabic instruction team both in class and in the Lab during the two academic semesters and throughout the two summer program sessions:
Course pack for Elementary Arabic I Course pack for Elementary Arabic II
Course pack for Intermediate Arabic I Course pack for Intermediate Arabic II
Course pack for Third Year Media Arabic I
No textbook is available. This material is the actual textbook
Course pack for Third Year Media Arabic II
No textbook is available. This material is the actual textbook.
The Story of Sami and Warda: 22 original texts for listening and
reading comprehension. Wrote, recorded and made available online.
These texts are suitable for all levels of Arabic taught at MEALAC.
Show and Tell: Conversation in Pictures. Course pack with questions for speaking activities and conversation.
Course pack with comprehension questions on selected and recorded
texts online.
Created and successfully integrated into the curriculum a language lab hour for elementary and intermediate classes. Trained instructors on lab equipment use. Developed and recorded most of the web-based material. Introduced a weekly conversation hour in a round table setting. Received a grant from the School of Continuing Education to develop supplementary material for the Arabic language classes. Project was completed and all material was integrated into the curriculum (2002). Received a joint grant from the Language Resource Center and the Middle East Institute at Columbia University to select, edit and record selections of classical and modern Arabic poetry for the advanced classes. Project completed (2005-2007).
Program Developer of Columbia University’s Arabic Summer Immersion Program in Amman, Jordan
Developed an overseas nine week total immersion program in Arabic. Worked with the University of Jordan to create a curriculum of instruction and cultural activities. Handled all high-level negotiations between Columbia University and the University of Jordan. (2007)
Coordinator of the Arabic Language Program
As the Coordinator of the Arabic Language Program, reported directly to the Chair of the department and managed all aspects of the program: faculty, students, academic schedule, registration, syllabus, testing, material development, web- based projects and curriculum design. Streamlined the registration process for all Arabic language classes. Wrote and implemented new guidelines that simplified registration. Guidelines are posted on MEALAC home page under Arabic. Redesigned the entire syllabus for all elementary and intermediate classes to enhance the proficiency level. Increased frequency of interaction between instructors and students.
Director of Columbia Arabic Summer Program (CASP)
As the initiator of the program, I wrote the original proposal, presented it to management and served as the Director of the program since its inception in 2001. It has been an integral part of my commitment and responsibility to ensure its continuity and success. As Director, managed all aspects of CASP throughout the academic year and during the summer. Taught almost every summer, at least one class. Among other things, my responsibilities included the following:
Responded to all email and correspondence from management, prospective students and all personnel interested in the summer program. Verified and screened all faculty and student applications. Advertised for, interviewed, hired and trained a team of instructors. Advertised for, interviewed, hired and trained an Assistant to the Director,(beginning in the summer of 2005). Set up the
curriculum for the two summer sessions (12 weeks). Outlined the entire syllabus for the two sessions and ensured its effective implementation. Scheduled and administered, with team members, all placement tests and placed students in the
appropriate levels and sections (Both Columbia and non-Columbia students). Reserved smart rooms for all classes and ordered text books. Prepared all quizzes, mid terms and final exams for all classes (with input supplied by the team of instructors). Prepared and made available all supplementary materials for all levels. Prepared and made available all text material for third year classes, (Media Arabic) Textbook materials were all my own. No commercial textbook was available. Coordinated and planned all cultural activities associated with the program to include reservations and financial accounting for movies, Arabic cookery days, museum trips, authentic meals at selected restaurants, cultural and linguistic games, Middle Eastern musical performances, guest speakers, etc. Held weekly meetings with the team of instructors. Participated in weekly class observations/ demonstrations, when necessary. Applied team teaching strategy by ensuring teacher rotation among sections (one hour/week) and co-taught when necessary. Was available from 9AM – 2PM, Monday –Thursday to answer all student/instructor questions. Advised instructors on linguistic and pedagogical issues as necessary. Ensured all academic and cultural activities, quizzes, and tests were performed properly and on time. Ensured the syllabus was implemented properly. Ensured all grades were posted on time. Coordinated, led and participated in all cultural activities. Ensured a smooth and academically sound transition of the program to the Director in Residence on the day classes commenced (beginning in the summer of 2005). Remained with the program throughout the first week of classes to ensure a smooth start. Remained in touch with the Director in Residence (as necessary) via email and phone for advisement and guidance throughout the entire program (summer of 2005).
Chair of “The Arabic Studies Seminar”
University Seminars at Columbia University. (Fall semester 2005)
Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS), Monterey, CA (Summer 2006)
Visiting Professor of Arabic, Summer Intensive Language Program (SILP),
Responsible for Arabic Intermediate class. Developed all course materials.
State University of New York, College at Cortland, Cortland, NY (1998- 2000)
Lecturer, Department of International Communication and Culture
Initiated Arabic Program and taught Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Arabic language and culture. Established Distance Learning Program in Arabic. Simultaneously taught Arabic language and culture to students at SUNY Cortland and SUNY Fredonia. Developed tests and enrichment material.
State University of New York, Binghamton, NY (Spring 1997)
Visiting Assistant Professor of Arabic, Department of Classical and Near Eastern Studies
Taught Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Arabic language and literature
Global Enterprises, Cortland, NY (1995- 2000)
Director and Founder
In April of 1995, founded Global Enterprises, Academic Learning & Resource Center. Served as the director and manager of this center which offered a wide variety of both enrichment and remedial courses in addition to foreign languages, study skills, organizational techniques and homework assistance to students of all ages and grades.
Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC), Monterey, CA (1983-1994)
Chairperson of Arabic Department C
Served as Subject Matter Expert and Consultant to top management for technical and linguistic expertise. Responsible for the implementation and results of the entire instructional program. Monitored students’ progress and program effectiveness. Recommended curriculum changes and validated new course material. Trained instructors and taught all phases of the instructional program. Developed program of instruction for new courses, selected textbook materials and wrote new grading policy. Nominated to ad hoc committees to review the Institute’s academic and administrative policies and procedures. Participated in off-campus seminars as a spokesperson for the school. Managed a newly created department of twenty-seven instructors and 120 students. Was the sole administrator in the department and was in charge of both human and material resources. Supervised, observed, counseled and evaluated all teachers in the department. Recognized exemplary teachers and took appropriate action to train or remove non-performers. Interviewed and recommended new employees for hiring. Recognized by the school dean for students’ results and for maintaining the highest standards of leadership as both a master teacher and administrator/manager of a complex group of instructors from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds.
Supervisory Training Instructor
Exercised technical and administrative supervision of 14 training instructors (Arabic Language).Planned, organized, coordinated and supervised language training activities and workforce to include class scheduling and workload distribution. Evaluated instructor performance and language training effectiveness through classroom/laboratory visits and means of feedback data. Recommended in-service faculty training. Participated in planning and conducting in-service training, conferences, and seminars. Provided guidance to subordinate instructor personnel on maintenance of instructional materials. Determined the need for instructional media for classes. Supervised and coordinated their utilization to include audio-visual training aids. Coordinated a complete and balanced instructional program for classes/sections supervised. Conducted formal language instruction. Introduced all aspects of the target language. Taught pronunciation, listening comprehension, oral communication, reading comprehension, and the writing system. Taught area studies and specialized military and technical terminology. Evaluated student progress in terms of meeting interim and terminal objectives. Reviewed, evaluated, and interpreted student academic performance based on available records and personal observation. Monitored instructional techniques and materials, recommended updating, revising and improving instructional materials, techniques, policies and procedures. Validated the new Arabic Basic Course (From the Gulf to the Ocean), supervised the writing of lab materials, tests and quizzes and wrote the grading policy. Supervised the writing, the recording, filming and editing of two tapes on Syrian and Saudi dialects.
Academic Specialist
Served as language learning and instructional resource for a foreign language teaching team. Fulfilled responsibilities of coordinating both program and teaching components of team teaching. Served as Subject Matter Expert and resource for management, staff, and faculty. Developed and modified materials, distributed materials, coordinated student matters. Planned class schedules, prepared teaching assignments, recommended in-class activities and coordinated team teaching. Trained team members in latest instructional methodologies and participated in establishing learning objectives. Implemented sound management techniques in facilitating team effort and fostering cooperation and positive support of the Defense Language Institute’s mission. Developed evaluation standards, assessed and monitored student progress in relation to the Foreign Language Objectives, and coordinated team effort in developing and adapting materials and activities to ensure highest levels of language proficiency are achieved by students. Conferred with Department Chair in development and implementation of instructional programs. Mentored colleagues through all phases of instructional sequencing. Recommended professional training for team members and organized schedules to accommodate training. Taught all aspects of Arabic in a culturally authentic matrix. Assessed students’ progress and provided counseling and enrichment and remediation programs. Conducted lectures and courses on Cross-Cultural Communication, Arabic culture, language, literature, poetry, and influences in international relations. Students in my classes consistently achieved exceptional levels of proficiency.
Teaching Coordinator/ Program Coordinator
As Teaching Coordinator, served as a role model in providing comprehensive second language acquisition instruction Applied a range of methodologies and incorporated computer-assisted instructional techniques into the program of instruction. Trained team members in techniques and current developments of foreign language instruction. Taught all levels of Modern Standard Arabic within an authentic context emphasizing detailed area background .Implemented instructional strategies to effectively meet the established course and training objectives. Assessed student needs and proficiency levels, monitored progress, provided remediation and enrichment. In July 1992, my graduating class achieved record setting proficiency scores. As Program Coordinator, facilitated the development of course content, lesson and team learning objectives and development of materials and approaches to meet changing user agency needs. Designed, developed, adapted and revised tests and quizzes, and applied evaluative tools to determine efficiency and accuracy of test materials. Designed teaching plans and objectives. As a Mentor, effectively promoted an atmosphere of cooperation, harmony and team spirit.
Foreign Language Team Mentor/ Training Instructor
Served as the role model for my team and coordinated team training and education. Organized the sequencing of instructional materials and provided teaching assignments. Coordinated modification and supplementation of the curriculum. Facilitated needs analyses with other team members. Facilitated the design, development and validation of new proficiency-oriented materials. Reviewed materials for currency and effectiveness in relation to course objectives and updated existing course materials. Utilized the audiovisual global structural approach and computer applications (interactive video disk; implementation of HyperCard instructional materials).As a Training Instructor, taught courses in Basic Arabic (“Go”; Syrian Dialect; Modern Standard Arabic) and conducted remedial sessions, corrected homework, counseled students and provided remediation program with follow up. As a team member, developed a variety of materials such as speaking exercises, translation activities, grammatical notes, daily quizzes and tests. Material was shared with other team members. Reviewed existing tests and quizzes for correction and updating. Met with students regularly to discuss individual feedback. Recommended methods for improvement and provided timely results of tests.
Course writer
Developed supplementary and enrichment materials, grammatical notes and exercises, homework assignments and drills for a basic course implementing the audiovisual global structural approach in Modern Standard Arabic. Course entitled, “From the Gulf to the Ocean.”
Ph.D. Committee Member
Second reader of Ph.D. dissertation for Ph.D. candidate from the University of San Francisco, Department of Education.
Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon (1981- 1983)
Associate Professor of Comparative Literature, English Department
Taught courses on Arab-American writers (graduate seminars), World Literature, Literary Criticism and Romantic and Victorian Poetry. Served on the Curriculum and Development Committee which was tasked with facilitating and restructuring the Master of Arts Program and creating the Ph.D. program. Planned, organized and developed new language courses. Served as Advisor to undergraduate students. Coordinated students’ activities and recommended specific courses. Supervised master’s theses of graduate students.
School for International Training, Brattleboro, VT (summer 1981)
Instructor of Arabic Language/ Cultural Informant
Taught all levels of Arabic language in an intensive summer program. Developed and revised course material: lessons, grammatical exercises, cultural background and tests.
Yale University, New Haven, CT (1980-1981)
Visiting Lecturer of Arabic Language and Literature
Taught courses that included Beginning and Advanced Colloquial Arabic, Advanced Classical Arabic and Arabic Literature in Translation (Classical and Modern).Designed and developed material for the Colloquial Arabic course: textbook, oral and written exercises, tests and quizzes.
Berlitz School of Languages, New Haven, CT (1981)
Instructor of Arabic Language/Interpreter/Translator
Implemented Berlitz’ internationally renowned teaching methodology in teaching adult students from a range of backgrounds. Coordinated a rigorous schedule of translation, course development and interpretation to accomplish the projects assigned by the School Director. Designed and developed all of the material for an Arabic Cultural project. Developed an updated dialect course material. Served as an interpreter in local courts. This level of interpretation required an outstanding knowledge of Colloquial and Standard English, as well as basic knowledge of technical and legal terminology.
State University of New York, Binghamton, NY (1976-1980)
Supervisor of the Arabic Division of “Translation Research & Instruction Program”
Coordinated efforts of five translators, which culminated in the publication of two volumes of poetry by the University. Selected material (prose and poetry), acted as a technical and linguistic resource for the translators and edited the translations prior to publication. Publications included works of many writers including my own.
Teaching Assistant
Taught courses on Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Arabic, Composition, Topics in Arabic Literature, Selections from Classical and Modern Arabic Literature. Developed, selected and adapted new materials (Intermediate and Advanced courses).Produced supplementary exercises, tests and quizzes. Created all materials for two Language Labs. Established comprehensive series of tapes of Modern Standard Arabic and Syrian Dialect. Recorded tapes on Arabic poetry in Vernacular language (Zajal) and on Classical and Modern Arabic Literature. Tutored Arabic Literature, Rhetoric, and Prosody.
Doron Precision Systems, Inc., Binghamton, NY (1979)
Translator
Translated a driver’s manual for use in Saudi Arabia which required a thorough knowledge of technical terminology and an excellent command of Modern Standard Arabic and English. Manuscript was approved and published by the Saudi government. I also recorded the manuscript on a film strip that illustrated the driver’s manual.
Logos Development Corporation, Middletown, NY (1979)
Linguistic Consultant for computerized translation program
In charge of the Arabic language components for a state-of-the-art translation program (English to Arabic). Designed specific equivalents; rewrote linguistic and grammatical rules; compiled extensive vocabulary and phrases with English equivalents. Served as advisor on matters of language usage and complexities of translation.
Mansourieh Secondary School, Mansourieh, Lebanon (Summer 1976)
Principal
Responsible for administrative and academic functions of the school. Selected teachers, approved the general schedule and the program of instruction. Updated the curriculum, conducted weekly faculty meetings, and approved the budget.
Green Hill College, Beirut, Lebanon (1974-1976)
Senior Instructor of Arabic Language, Literature and Prosody
Taught Arabic literature, language and grammar. Developed supplementary material, tests, and quizzes. Coordinator of the Arabic Program for the Secondary classes. Supervised cultural and academic activities. Organized a series of lectures by prominent writers.
Tabit High School, Mansourieh, Lebanon (1973- 1974)
Senior Instructor of Arabic Grammar, Rhetoric and History
Taught courses on all levels of Arabic language with emphasis on rhetoric and prosody. Selected textbook materials. Scheduled remedial sessions. Developed supplementary and enrichment materials.
Christian Teaching Institute, Beirut, Lebanon (Summer 1973)
Instructor of Arabic
Supervised Arabic component of the intensive summer program. Selected textbook materials and taught advanced courses in language and culture.
Publications
Books:
§ Modern Standard Arabic: Reading Comprehension Practice, a series of six online pamphlets which cover elementary to advanced Arabic, Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, 2010.
§ A Course in Colloquial Arabic: Lebanese Dialect, a textbook for students of Levantine Arabic, Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, 2009.
§ The Story of Sami and Warda, a textbook for students of Arabic on the elementary and intermediate levels, first edition, 2005, Daccache Printing House, Beirut, Lebanon.
§ William Blake and Kahlil Gibran: Poets of Prophetic Vision. A book of literary criticism. Notre Dame University Press (NDU), Louaize, Lebanon. First Edition, 2002.
§ Awdat al-Faris wa Qiyamat al-Madina (“The Return of the Hero and the Resurrection of the City"), a book of poetry. Dakkash Publishing Company, Beirut, Lebanon. First Edition, 2002.
§ al-Ghurba wa Mawasim al-Dhalam (Exile and the Seasons of Darkness), a book of poetry in Classical Arabic, (al-Muassasa al-Jami’iya lil Dirasat wal- Nashr wal-tawzi’, (M.A.J.D.), Beirut, 1983.
§ William Blake and Kahlil Gibran: Poets of Prophetic Vision, (SUNY at Binghamton, Binghamton, 1980), Ph.D. dissertation.
§ Law Kunti Li (If You Were Mine), a book of poetry in Classical Arabic, Introduction by Buland al-Haidari and Bakri Shaykh Amin, (Zaidan Publishing House, Beirut, 1972).
§ Qasa’id Bila Tarikh (Undated Poems), a book of poetry in Classical Arabic and Colloquial Lebanese dialect, Introduction by George Matouq, (Zaidan Publishing House, Beirut, 1972).
§ Maw’id wa-liqa’ (Engagement and Encounter), a book of poetry in Classical Arabic and Lebanese Vernacular dialect, (Zaidan Publishing House, Beirut, 1971).
Selections of My Poetry:
§ “A Poem for Mother’s Day” (English), published online: www.tabsir.net, April 2012.
§ “To MaryAnn on her Birthday” (English), published online: www.tabsir.net, April 2009.
§ “Lubnaniyat” (Arabic), published online: www.georgeel-hage.com, 2008.
§ “The Garden of Visions” (Arabic), published online: www.georgeel-hage.com, 2008.
§ “Najwa” (Arabic), published online: www.georgeel-hage.com, 2008.
§ “Beirut Speaks” (English translation), published online: www.tabsir.net, April 2007.
§ “The Book of Death, Number 28” (English translation), published online: www.tabsir.net, April 2007.
§ “Journey of Illusion” (English translation), published online: www.tabsir.net, May 2007.
§ “Lebanese Hymns of Love and War” (English translation), published online: www.tabsir.net, May 2007.
§ “A Letter to the Children of Qana” (English translation), published online: www.tabsir.net, August 2006
§ “My People” (English translation), published online: www.tabsir.net, April 2007.
§ “You, Beirut and the Children” (English translation), published online: www.tabsir.net, June 2007.
§ “Letter to a Country with No Frontier” (English translation), published online: www.tabsir.net, July 2007.
§ Selections from my book: Law Kunti Li (If You Were Mine), and my two manuscripts “Unshudat al-Hub Wa al-Harb” (“Hymns of Love and War”), “Kitab al Mawt” (“The Book of Death”) in Nimrod, Arabic Literature: Then and Now, vol. 24, no. 2, Spring/Summer 1981, trans. Diana Malouf, Allan Lederman, Ben Bennani, intro. Khalil Semaan, ed. Roger Allen (Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa, Tulsa, 1981).
§ Selections from my book: Law Kunti Li (If You Were Mine), and my manuscript “Kitab al-Mawt” (“The Book of Death”) in Doubles/Dialogues: A Folio of Poetry Translations, vol. 2, trans. Diana Malouf, ed. Marilyn Gaddis Rose (SUNY at Binghamton, Binghamton, 1980).
§ Selections from my manuscript, “Unshudat al-Hub wa al-Harb” (“Hymns of Love and War “) inTranscriptions/Inscriptions: A Folio of Poetry Translations, Trans. Allan Lederman, ed. Marilyn Gaddis Rose (SUNY at Binghamton, Binghamton, 1979).
My Translations of Other Works:
§ My Translation of the "Letters of Badr Shakir al-Sayyab" with an Introduction, Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII, Part IX, published online: www.tabsir.net, 2007.
§ My Translation of selections from Ameen al-Rihani's book, al-Rihaniyyat, published online: www.tabsir.net, May 2007.
§ “Munajayat Al-Sab‘in”(ARABIC) (“Orisons of the Seventies”(ENGLISH)): ‘Aziz Al-Sayyid Jasim’s Latest Prose Poems, translation and introduction, in Journal of Arabic Literature, Volume XXXVII, No. 2, 2006, Brill Publishers, Leiden, the Netherlands.
§ My Translation of Mahmud Darwish’s poem, “Antithesis,” Dedicated to the memory of Edward Said, in the Journal of Arabic Literature, Vol. XXXVI, No. 1. 2005. Brill Publishers, Leiden, the Netherlands.
§ My Translation of ‘Abd al-Wahhab al-Bayati’s: “The Byzantine Poems of Abu Firas” in the Journal of Arabic Literature, Vol. XXXVI, No. 2. 2005. Brill Publishers, Leiden, the Netherlands.
§ My Translation of “Gibran’s Unpublished Letters to Archbishop Antonious Bashir” in the Journal of Arabic Literature, Vol. XXXVI, No. 2. 2005. Brill Publishers, Leiden, the Netherlands.
Articles:
§ “Gibran Kahlil Gibran and William Blake: Poets of Peace and Redemption” in Dahesh Voice., Vol. 12, No. 3, Fall 2007.
§ “Khamriyyat ibn al-Farid (Ode on Wine): A Critical Introduction with a Complete Translation and Notes” published online: www.Tabsir.net, July 2007.
§ “Abu Tammam and Al-Buhturi: Revisiting Their Relationship and Role in Medieval Arabic Poetry” in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 2, No. 4, Spring 2006.
§ “Gibran Kahlil Gibran: A Timeless and Universal Vision” published online: www.Tabsir.net, 2006.
§ “Beirut ’75 by Ghada al-Samman: An Autobiographical Interpretation” in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 9, No. 4, 2004.
§ “A Communicative Approach to Teaching Arabic in Academia, Part II” in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 8, No. 4, 2003.
§ “A Communicative Approach to Teaching Arabic in Academia, Part I” in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 8, No. 3, 2003.
§ “A Statement of Belief on Foreign Language Teaching and Acquistion"
§ “Badr-Shakir al-Sayyab and the Role of the Modern Arab Poet” in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 9, No. 2, 2003.
§ “Sahifat al-Risalat al-Lubnaniyya al-Mahjariyya” a study of the history of the Arabic press in al-Mahjar with a critical evaluation and analysis of newly discovered issues of an Arabic weekly called al-Risalat. Issues dated from May 1932 to April 1933 are in my possession, in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 8, No. 2, 2002.
§ “Gibran Kahlil Gibran: The Man Versus the Legend” in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 7, No. 3, 2002.
§ “Madkhal ila al-Alam al-shi’ri ‘inda Khalil Hawi: Usluban wa madmunan” (Part Two) (“An Introduction to the Poetic World of Khalil Hawi: A Study of the Content of His Poetry and Style”) in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 7, No. 1.(The Daheshist Publishing Co., Ltd., New York, 2001)
§ “Madkhal ila al-Alam al-shi’ri ‘inda Khalil Hawi: Usluban wa madmunan” (Part One) (“An Introduction to the Poetic World of Khalil Hawi: A Study of the Content of His Poetry and Style”) in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 6, No. 4.(The Daheshist Publishing Co., Ltd., New York, 2001)
§ “al-zajal al-lubnani wa zaghloul al-Damour fi Beit Meri" (Part Two) (“Lebanese Zajal and Zaghloul al-Damour in Beit Meri”), a study of the Lebanese Zajal heritage focusing on Zaghloul as the primary representative of this oral tradition with a critical analysis of his poems and those of Moosa Zughaib in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 6, No. 2, (The Daheshist Publishing Co., Ltd., New York, 2000).
§ “al-zajal al-lubnani wa zaghloul al-Damour fi Beit Meri" (Part One) (“Lebanese Zajal and Zaghloul al-Damour in Beit Meri”), a study of the Lebanese Zajal heritage focusing on Zaghloul as the primary representative of this oral tradition with a critical analysis of his poems and those of Moosa Zughaib in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 6, No. 1, (The Daheshist Publishing Co., Ltd., New York, 2000).
§ “Mukhtarat min unshudat al-Hub wa al-Harb” (“Selections from Hymns of Love and War 1976”), poetic prose in Classical Arabic in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 5, No. 4, (The Daheshist Publishing Co., Ltd., New York, 2000).
§ “Kahlil Gibran and William Blake: Poets of Prophetic Vision,” The University of Maryland, Kahlil Gibran Research and Studies Project, The First International Conference on Kahlil Gibran - The official Conference Report, Unity of Vision and Ethics: Conference Papers, 2000, <http://www.bsos.umd.edu/cidcm/gibran/>.
§ “A Reading of Kahlil Gibran: Man and Poet,” a critical review of Bushrui’s book, in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 5, No. 2 (The Daheshist Publishing Co., Ltd., New York, 1999).
§ “Letters to My Son”, prose in Arabic, in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 4, No. 3 (The Daheshist Publishing Co., Ltd., New York, 1998).
§ “Beirut Speaks” and “Suicide”, two poems in Arabic, in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 4, No.2 (The Daheshist Publishing Co., Ltd., New York, 1998).
§ “William Blake and Kahlil Gibran: Poets of Prophetic Vision”, a series of eight articles published in different volumes of Dahesh Voice, (The Daheshist Publishing Co., Ltd., New York):
§ “The God-man and the Antichrist”, Part Two, “The God-man”, Vol. 3, No.4, March 1998).
§ “The God-man and the Antichrist”, Part One, “The Antichrist”, Vol. 3, No. 3, December 1997).
§ “A More Fertile and Daring Creator”, Part Two, “Nature”, Vol. 3, No. 2, September 1997).
§ “A More Fertile and Daring Creator”, Part One, “Imagination”, Vol. 3, No. 1, June 1997).
§ “New Vision”, part two, “On Prophecy”, Vol. 2, No. 4, March 1997).
§ “New Vision”, part one “On Poetry”, Vol. 2, No. 3, December 1996).
§ “The Buds that will Blossom”, Vol. 2, No. 2, September 1996).
§ “A Mental Prince or A Child of Light?”, Vol. 2, No. 1, June 1996).
§ “A Definition of Gibran's Circle of Creativity: A Fulfilled Vision and a Well-deserved Grace", in The Encyclopedia of Gibran Kahlil Gibran, First Edition, Vol. 19, Gibran's Bicentennial Edition, (Noblis Publishing House, Beirut, 1997).
§ “A Eulogy for Beirut” , poem in Arabic, in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 2, No. 4, (The Daheshist Publishing Co., Ltd., New York, 1997).
§ “Najmat Alsharq” (“Star of the Orient”), poem in Arabic, in Dahesh Voice, Vol. 2, No. 2, (The Daheshist Publishing Co., Ltd., New York, 1996).
§ “Beirut Speaks”, poem in Arabic, “The Pre-Islamic Era: An Introduction to its Religion, Politics and Literature” in Lughatud-Daad, monthly cultural magazine, (Defense Language Institute, Arabic Dept., Presidio of Monterey, 1987).
§ “al-Nabi bayna ‘adu al-Masih wa al-Insan al-llah” (“The Prophet among the Antichrist and the God-Man”) inDirasat: Lettres et sciences humaines, 11 annee, no. 13. (Universite Libanaise, Faculte de Pedagogie, Beyrouth, 1984).
§ “H.D. Thoreau and William Blake: The Seeds of Revolution and Prophecy” in Dirasat: Lettres et sciences humaines, 11 annee, no. 11. (Universite Libanaise, Faculte de Pedagogie, Beyrouth, 1984).
§ “Ru'ya wa Ni'ma Mutakaamilah” in al-Anwar, Beirut, April 16, 1983. Article # 7 in a special series on Kahlil Gibran.
§ “Freud on Literature and Art” in Dirasat: Lettres et sciences humaines, 10 annee, no. 12. (Universite Libanaise, Faculte de Pedagogie, Beyrouth, 1983).
§ “T.S. Eliot’s Influence on Salah Abdel Sabour” in Dirasat: Lettres et sciences humaines, 11 annee, no. 11. (Universite Libanaise, Faculte de Pedagogie, Beyrouth, 1983).
§ “Themes and Trends in Contemporary Lebanese and Arab Criticism”, in al-Anwar, Beirut, July 1983.
§ “Gibran: His Place in Modern Arabic Literature” in al-Anwar, Beirut, June 1983.
§ “Gibran the Politician: A Lebanese Nationalist” in al-Muntada, vol. 4, Beirut, April 1983.
§ “Curriculum Development in the Lebanese University; Present and Future Outlook” in al-Ahrar, vol. 2956, Beirut, March 1983.
§ “Gibran Kahlil Gibran wa William Blake: Sha’ira al-Ru’ya” in Dirasat: Lettres et sciences humaines, 9 annee, no. 10. (Universite Libanaise, Faculte de Pedagogie, Beyrouth, 1982).
§ “Ma’sat al-Hallaj” (The Tragedy of al-Hallaj”) in al-Wahda: Arab Club Magazine, (Cornell University, Ithaca, 1980).
§ “Hiwar hawla almashakil al Tullabiyya wa almanahij almadrasiyya aljadida” (“Interview and Interpretation: The Possibilities of New Methods of Education in a Lebanese College”) in al-Yunbu’, annual journal of Christian Teaching Institute, (Christian Teaching Institute, Beirut, 1971).
§ Editor of the al-Yunbu’, annual journal of the Christian teaching Institute, Beirut, Lebanon, 1971.
§ “Thawany al’umr” (“Life: In Seconds”), poem in Arabic, in al-Amalid, vol. 7, annual journal of Brummana National School, (Brummana National School, Brummana, 1969).
Works Accepted for Publication:
§ My translation of “Twenty One Selected Letters of Badr Shakir al-Sayyab” in the Journal of Arabic Literature.
§ A selection of twelve poems from my three books of Arabic poetry in a new volume on modern Arabic poetry in North America. Edited by Nakhle Badr and published by the Levant Educational Foundation, Los Angeles, CA..
Works Ready for Publication:
§ “Unshudat al-Hub wa al-Harb” (“Hymns of Love and War”), a book of poetic prose in Classical Arabic, trans. Allan Lederman.
§ “Kitab al-Mawt” (“The Book of Death”), a book of poetic prose in Classical Arabic.
Works In Progress:
§ “The Story of the Flood: A Comparative Analysis between the Epic of Gilgamesh and Genesis”.
§ “Colloquial Arabic: A Basic Course in Transliteration and Arabic script”.
§ “Modern Standard Arabic: Authentic Texts for Proficiency and Comprehension”.
§ A new book of poetry.
§ “The Heritage Language Learner: A Case Study.”
§ “Nizar Qabbani: A poet without a mask”.
Recognition
Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC)
Received the highest performance ratings during my entire tenure as Dean for my leadership abilities, my faculty development initiatives, and my students’ academic results, 2007-2012.
Received the Provost’s Team Excellence Award for achieving the highest results in Arabic MSA on the 50-week Special Project Foreign Area Officers’ class, 2011.
Received the “Coin of Excellence” from the NSA and the Associate Provost for creating an innovative new “blended approach” to teaching Arabic MSA and dialect. Led the team that implemented a pilot in Iraqi and Levantine dialect using the new approach. Achieved outstanding proficiency results on both the Iraqi pilot class (2009) and the Levantine pilot class (2010).
Columbia University
Promoted to Senior Lecturer in Arabic Studies. July 2005.
Letter of congratulations from the Chair of the Presidential Teaching Awards Committee for being selected one of the finalists for the 2004 Presidential Teaching Awards, March 2004.
Recipient of the Gordon Gray, Jr. Senior Lectureship in Arabic Studies.
American University of Beirut
Two letters of appreciation from Dr. Jack Tohme and the Vice President of the University for Development and External Relations for my poetry (zajal) presentation, New York, Oct. 2004.
The Lauder Institute, The Wharton School
University of Pennsylvania
Letter of thanks from the Managing Director for my presentation on “The Life and Works of Ghada Al-Samman with Special Emphasis on her Novel.” November, 2003.
Beirut Youth Cultural Society
Certificate of Recognition and Official Honorary Shield presented by the Governing Board of the Beirut Youth Cultural Society and endorsed by His Excellency the Prime Minister of Lebanon for founding the Beirut Youth Cultural Society in 1972, authoring the by laws and acting as the first and permanent honorary president in Lebanon and abroad, Beirut, June 27, 2001.
Dar al-Mahabba
Certificate of Recognition and an Honorary Diploma conferred by the Board of Trustees of Dar al-Mahabba for my literary contributions, research, and creative writing both in Lebanon and abroad, Beirut, June 27, 2001.
Rotary Club, Cortland, NY
Letter of Appreciation for presenting a lecture on the Middle East to the club members (Feb, 1999)
Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC), Monterey, CA
Letter of Recognition from School Dean for achieving the highest results in the graduating class of the Arabic Basic Course and for maintaining 0% attrition (1990-1993)
Consistently selected by School Dean as a “Master Teacher” to represent the Middle East School’s teaching methodology to all VIP’s visiting from major universities and the Department of Defense
Achieved “Exceptional Performance Rating” (1983-1993 consecutively)
Letter of Recognition from School Dean for being selected to demonstrate the “Model Classroom” to Governor Wilson (CA) and the representatives from Washington
Letter of Appreciation on behalf of Class 92-93 for excellence in teaching (1993)
Letter of Appreciation from School Dean for conducting the workshop “Cross-Cultural Communication” which benefited the entire faculty by teaching them new skills (1992)
Selected by School Dean to represent and explain the Institute’s objectives and the Middle East School’s curriculum to the “Board of Visitors” from Washington for the purpose of re-accrediting the Institute (1991)
Selected by the faculty of the Middle East School as their representative in the “Faculty Advisory Council” (1991)
Certificate of Appreciation for active participation and meaningful contribution to the success of the annual DLIFLC Language Day activities (1991)
Letter of Recognition for organizing and participating in the “Round Table Academic Discussions” (1991)
Selected to teach the Foreign Area Officers’ class. This class is taught to high government officials and requires outstanding teaching qualities and professionalism (1989)
Letter of Appreciation from Col. William Kinard for conducting the workshop “Cross-Cultural Communication” (1989)
Letter of Recognition from the Chairperson of the Arabic Department for contributions and achievements as a Supervisor and Manager (1988)
Certificate of Appreciation from the Equal Employment Opportunity Manager for my contributions as the Chairman of the Statistics and Analysis Committee and as an active member of the Public Relations Committee (1987)
Certificate of Commendation and Quality Step Increase for exceptional performance as a Supervisor (1986-1987)
Certificate of Achievement from the Commandant for serving as a course writer of “From the Gulf to the Ocean”, a course in Modern Standard Arabic (1986)
Letter of Commendation and Appreciation from Col. Robert DePhilippis for my lecture, “Language: A Living Being” (1986)
Letter of Appreciation from the Project Officer of Course Development for my contributions in the development and recording of the Syrian Dialect Course
American Biographical Institute
International Directory of Distinguished Leadership (1991)
Five Thousand Personalities of the World (1991)
Two Thousand Notable American Men (1991)
Who’ Who in the World (1986)
State University of New York, Binghamton, NY
Teaching Assistantship (1976-1980)
Passed Ph.D. comprehensive examination with distinction
Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
Scholarship to study abroad (1976)
First Prize for Poetry Reading (1973)
First Prize for highest grades among first year students of Arabic Language and Literature
Christian Teaching Institute, Beirut Lebanon
First Prize for writing and directing a play in Modern Arabic prose, “The Meaning of Christmas”
Professional Activities/ Memberships
Lectures
Presented “Teaching Arabic For Proficiency versus for the DLPT,” DLIFLC, 2012.
Presented “Recall Protocol and Content-Based Instruction,” DLIFLC, 2012.
Presented “How to Select Authentic, Semi-Authentic, and Super-Authentic Material,” DLIFLC, 2011.
Presented “Team Building and Enhanced Team Communication,” DLIFLC, 2010.
Presented “Implementation of the LIFT (Leaders in Front Teaching) Initiative and Elements of Effective Teaching,” DLIFLC, 2009.
Presented “HEAD TO TOE” (“Highly Enhanced Authentic Discourse Delivered by a Team of Experts”), an innovative approach to team teaching, DLIFLC, 2008.
Presented “The New Arabic Basic Course: Issues and Solutions,” DLIFLC, 2008.
Presented “Meaningful Homework and the Use of the Target Language and Cultural Information in the Classroom,” DLIFLC, 2008.
Presented an evening of Lebanese zajal poetry at the event “Lebanon: A Story of Survival.” Organized by the Cedars Organization of Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral, Brooklyn, NY, Fall 2006.
Participated in “Arab Culture Week” of Turath, the Arab Students Organization at Columbia University. Reading of my poetry in both Fusha and Zajal, Fall 2006.
Presented an evening of zajal poetry at Alwaan for the Arts, New York City, Fall 2006.
“Evening with the Poetry of Mahmoud Darwish.” Read excerpts of my translation of his poem, “Antithesis.” Columbia University, Fall 2006.
“Variations on Curriculum Design between Academia and the Defense Language Institute.” Lecture presented at the Defense Language Institute, Foreign Language Center, June 2006.
“Gibran Kahlil Gibran and Anglo-American Romanticism” A lecture presented at the Arabic Studies Seminar, Columbia University. October 2005.
“Khalil Hawi and the Role of the Modern Arab Poet.” Lecture delivered at the Department of Near Eastern Studies, Princeton University. April 2005.
“Yusuf Abdel Samad and Contemporary Arabic Poetry” AUB Hall, NYC. April 2005.
Presented an evening of poetry (zajal) with Yusuf Abdel Samad, at “Alwan for the Arts” NYC January 2005.
“Kahlil Gibran and Arabic Literature in the USA” A symposium presented at the Fiske Planitarium Auditorium, University of Colorado, March 2005.
Presented an evening of Lebanese Zajal poetry during the festival: From Bukhara to Beirut, sung poetry from the Islamic World. Symphony Space, NYC. April 2005.
Participated on a panel, The Cultural Development of the Arab Mind, sponsored by the Arabic Center for Dialogue and Research and the Arab Club at the United Nations, October 2004.
Presented an evening of poetry (zajal), sponsored by the Alumni Medical Doctors Class of 1974 of the American University of Beirut, October 2004.
"The Life and Works of Ghada Al-Samman with Special Emphasis on her Novel."
A seminar presented at The Lauder Institute, The Wharton School, University of
Pennsylvania, 2003.
"The Middle East and the West : Concepts and Misconceptions in Global Issues both
Ancient and Current." Calvary Episcopal Church, New York City, 2003.
"Poetry Reading", Matinee of Arabic Poetry and Music, sponsored by the Department
of Middle East and Asian Languages and Cultures. Columbia University, 2003.
"Shock Classes in Arabic." Teaching Fellow Orientation Workshop.
Columbia University, 2003.
"Kahlil Gibran: His Life and Works." A seminar presented at The Lauder Institute,
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 2002.
"Reflections on the Life and Poetry of Badr Shakir al-Sayyab." With a reading of his
poem "Unshudat al-Matar" in both Arabic and English, Columbia University 2002.
Featured on Columbia's homepage Video Forum.
“Lunch and Discussion on the Middle East". Columbia University, New York, NY 2001.
“The Middle East Today: Fact vs. Fiction”, Scholar’s Day, SUNY College at Cortland, NY 2000.
“Kahlil Gibran and William Blake: Poets of Prophetic Vision”, First International Conference on Gibran, University of Maryland, 1999.
“The Middle East on the Eve of the Millennium”, Temple Brith Sholom, Cortland, NY, 1999.
“The Middle East: An Update”, Rotary Club, Cortland, NY, 1999.
“The History of Islam”, Temple Brith Sholom, Cortland, NY, 1998.
“Islam and the Current Situation in the Middle East”, Rotary Club, Cortland, NY, 1998.
“Foreign Languages and the Future Job Market”, Homer High School, Homer, NY, 1998.
“Contemporary Arabic Poetry”, SUNY Binghamton, 1998.
“Khalil Hawi in Memoriam,” SUNY Binghamton, 1998.
“How to Have an Effective Parent-Teacher Conference”, Cortland-Homer Teacher Center, 1996.
“How to Read and Appreciate Poetry”, Homer Intermediate School, 1996.
“Teaching Arabic in the USA”, DLI, 1994.
“Learning to Read or Reading to Learn: Effective Techniques on Listening and Reading
for Proficiency”, DLI, 1994.
Originator and Moderator of bimonthly literary roundtable of academic discussion,
DLI, 1986-1993.
“The Middle East: Then and Now”, Rotary Club, Monterey, CA 1993.
“Modern Arabic Poetry”, DLI, 1993.
“The Arab Family Abroad”. DLI, 1993.
“The Role of Women in the Arab World”, DLI, 1993.
“Pre-Islamic Arabia”, DLI, 1993.
“The Use, Application and Selection of Authentic Texts”, DLI, 1993.
“Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language to American Adult Students”, DLI, 1993.
“Islamic History: Insights and Analysis”, DLI, 1992.
“Arabic Civilization and Thought”, DLI, 1992.
“Medieval Arabic Poetry: An Overview”, DLI, 1992.
“Cross-Cultural Communication”, DLI, 1992.
“Gibran Kahlil Gibran”, DLI, 1992.
“Introduction to Romanticism”, DLI, 1992.
“Lebanon: A Nation Under Siege”, Rotary Club, Monterey, CA, 1991.
“Western Influences on Modern Arabic Poetry”, DLI, 1991.
“Diglossia”, DLI, 1989.
“Language: A Living Being”, DLI, 1986.
“The Arabic Language: A Cultural Analysis”, DLI, 1986.
“Culture and Religion in Prewar Lebanon”, DLI, 1984.
Commencement speech at the Christian Teaching Institute, Beirut, Lebanon, 1983.
“Gibran Kahlil Gibran wa William Blake: Sha’ira al-Ru’ya”, Lebanese University, 1982
“The Free-Lebanon Movement”, SUNY Binghamton, 1980.
“al-Shi’r wa al-iltizam”, SUNY Binghamton, 1979.
Poetry Readings
As a published poet in Modern Standard Arabic and Lebanese Dialect, I have been invited to give numerous poetry readings from my own works (both published and unpublished). Invitations have been extended from the Arabic Departments at Columbia University, the Defense Language Institute, the Comparative Literature Department and the Arabic Circle at the State University of New York at Binghamton, the Arab Club at Cornell University, the Christian Teaching Institute in Beirut, Lebanon, the Arab Club in Monterey, CA and the Arab Club and the Literary Circle in Beirut, Lebanon. Since 1972, I have given scores of readings from my own poetry.
Interviews
Personal interview on poetry and language by the GLOBE, Winter Issue 2011, DLIFLC
“Learning Your Alif, Ba, Tas. Arabic Students Struggling, Organizing to Learn Difficult Language.” Columbia Spectator, November 2005.
“Unique Arabic Courses Introduced to Columbia” Columbia Spectator, June, 2002,
“New Columbia Arabic Summer Program to be Launched Through Continuing Education." Columbia University's Record, 2002.
“Columbia Arabic Summer Program" Voice of America Radio, 2002.
“Kahlil Gibran on Modernizing Arabic Language and Poetry”, KAZU Radio,
Pacific Grove, CA 1991.
“The Middle East Crisis”, Channel 7 Television, Binghamton, NY, 1982.
“Crisis in Lebanon”, Public Broadcasting television, Binghamton, NY, 1982.
“The Middle East Crisis”, WIBX Radio, Utica, NY, 1978.
Conferences
Attended and presented on the Arabic Dialect Program at DLIFLC at the Language Flagship Annual Meeting, University of Portland, Oregon, May 2012.
Participated in a job fair to interview, evaluate and recruit Levantine and Iraqi Arabic teachers, Dearborn, Michigan, October 2011.
Attended MESA Conference and participated in a roundtable discussion on teaching MSA versus dialect and how best to develop a curriculum, San Diego, CA, 2010.
Invited to serve on the Boron Fellowship Review Panel in Washington, DC, 2010.
Attended and presented at the DELTAB meeting in Washington, DC on the development, progress and success of the Iraqi Dialect Course, 2010.
Presented on the Arabic Curriculum at the FAO Summit, DLIFLC, 2010.
Presented to the BOV for accreditation on the Iraqi and Levantine Dialects, DLIFLC, 2010.
Attended and participated at the NSEP session at the Flagship Annual Meeting, Monterey, CA 2010.
Presented “In House Training at DLI” at the conference on foreign languages, the University of Texas, Austin, January 2010.
Presented “The Iraqi and Levantine Dialect Course: A Dean’s Perspective” at the Arabic LEARN conference in West Point, NY, 2010.
Attended ACTFL and led an impromptu session on teaching MSA versus dialect, San Diego, November 2009.
Represented DLIFLC in information exchange and lessons learned in the teaching of Arabic with DLI Washington and the Foreign Service Institute, Washington, DC, August 2009.
Selected to represent DLIFLC at the Danish Defense Institute to initiate discussion on the teaching of MSA and Dialect for a pilot Iraqi dialect class, December 2008.
Represented DLIFLC and met with the leadership team to assess the current curriculum and students’ proficiency in Arabic at Fort Gordon, September 2008.
Attended 2006 MESA Conference, Boston, MA, and conducted interviews for candidates applying to Columbia University’s Arabic position, November 2006.
Attended and participated in the 2005 MESA Conference, Washington D.C. November 2005. Presented a paper entitled: “Badr Shakir al-Sayyab and the Role of the Modern Arab Poet.”
“Total Immersion Curriculum for the Advanced Levels in Arabic” with Foazi El-Barouki, DLI. A workshop presented at the North East Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. NYC, April 2005.
Invited to present a paper and participate in the “Oxford Round Table” discussion of a special session entitled “Global Security in the 21st Century” at Lincoln College, in the University of Oxford, England.
Invited to give a presentation and participate in the Second International Conference on Kahlil Gibran. April 2006. University of Maryland, College Park.
Attended and participated in the 2004 MESA conference, San Francisco, November 2004. Presented a paper entitled, “Beirut ’75 by Ghada al-Samman: An Autobiographical
Interpretation.” Also chaired a panel, “Dynamics of Culture in the Gulf Arab States: Part II.” And represented MEALAC at the meeting of the Center for Arab Study Abroad (CASA).
Attended the “Seventeenth Annual Symposium on Arabic Linguistics,” sponsored by the
Arabic Linguistics Society (ALS), the University of Oklahoma, March 2004
Attended ACTFL, Pennsylvania, 2003.
Attended AATA, Pennsylvania, 2003.
Attended "Foreign Languages Collaborations and the Web." Conference of the Consortium for Language Teaching and Learning. The University of Pennsylvania, 2002.
Invited to present a paper on the contemporary Lebanese/Arab poet, Khalil Hawi,
at the Arabic Literature Seminar held in conjunction with the ACLA annual convention,
San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2002.
Invited to present a paper and participate in the open discussion at the Conference
of L' Academie Culturelle Arabe in Amman, Jordan, December 2002.
Attended and read a paper at the First International Conference on Kahlil Gibran
at the University of Maryland, 1999.
Attended ACTFL, Monterey, CA 1989.
Attended ACLA, New York University, NY, 1982.
Attended MESA, Washington, DC, 1980.
Attended Comparative Literature Association, Chicago, IL, 1978.
Attended ACLA, Graduate Student Conference, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 1978.
Memberships/Committees
Appointed by the Commandant to serve on the 2012 Professor Rand Advancement Board, DLIFLC 2012.
Chair of the Grammar Clinic Training Committee to train faculty in enhancing their understanding and teaching of Arabic grammar concepts, DLIFLC 2007-2011.
Chair of the task force that conducted school-wide research on student and team motivation. Results were used to improve morale and standards, DLIFLC 2009 – 2010.
Chair of the committee to review the Arabic Basic Course syllabi. Resulted in a significant improvement to the Arabic program curriculum, DLIFLC, 2007-2010.
Chair of MEALAC Search Committee for selecting and hiring two new full time lecturers in Arabic Studies, Columbia University, Fall 2006, Spring 2007.
MEALAC Search Committee member to interview and select a new full time lecturer in Hindi/Urdu, Columbia University, Fall 2006.
Fulbright Campus Committee member to review applications for evaluation and nomination, Columbia University, Fall 2006.
Participated in the validation of the Defense Language Institute’s Proficiency Test (DLPT). DLIFLC, Summer 2006.
Member of the screening committee for NSEP (National Security Education Program) serving as the Middle East expert to review applications and recommend candidates for scholarships, NSEP, 2006-2007.
Member of a MEALAC senior thesis committee for a translation project of an Arabic novel, Columbia University, 2006-2007.
Nominated to the Executive Board of AATA (American Association of Teachers of Arabic) 2007.
Co-Chair of MEALAC Search Committee for appointing a new Arabic Language Lecturer, Columbia University, 2005-2006.
Member of NECTFL, 2005.
MEALAC Search Committee Member for appointing a new Arabic Language Lecturer, Columbia University, 2004-2005.
MEALAC Review Committee member for faculty evaluation, Columbia University, 2004-2005.
Member of Ameen Rihani Organization, "Scholars’ Desk," 2002-present.
MEALAC Review Committee member for faculty evaluation, Columbia University, March 2003.
MEALAC Search Committee member for selecting a new Turkish Language
Lecturer, Columbia University,2003
MEALAC Committee Chair for Summer Language Program, Columbia University, 2003-2004.
MEALAC Committee member assigned to revise the Department’s Bylaws, Columbia University, 2004.
MEALAC Committee member to revise application for Title VI grant, Columbia University, 2002.
MEALAC search committee member for selecting a new Arabic language lecturer, Columbia University,2002.
Columbia Language Committee, Columbia University, 2000-2007.
Middle East Studies Association of North America (ongoing)
The Arabic Linguistics Society, 2000-2006.
American Association of Teachers of Arabic (ongoing).
Lebanese Studies Association 2000-2005.
Curriculum Committee, Columbia University, Dept. of Middle East and Asian Languages
and Cultures, 2000.
Better Business Bureau of Central New York, 1997- 1998.
Faculty Advisory Council, DLIFLC, 1991-1993.
Originator and Board Member of Middle East School Faculty Newsletter, DLIFLC, 1992.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Hispanic Employment Program Committee (HEPC), Chairman of Statistics and Analysis Committee and active in fund-raising activities, DLIFLC, 1987.
Arab-American Club of the Monterey Peninsula, 1986-1990.
Modern Language Association, 1982-1984.
National Teacher’s Association of Lebanon, 1973-1982.
Vice-President, Departmental Graduate Student Association, SUNY at Binghamton,
1977-1978.
Founder, President and Life Member, Beirut Youth Cultural Society, Beirut, Lebanon,
1972-present.
Vice-President, the Cultural Assembly, Christian Teaching Institute, Beirut, Lebanon,
1970-1972.
Management Enrichment
During my tenure as a manager at the Defense Language Institute, I completed a wide variety of training courses to enhance my managerial skills. These courses in part addressed the role of leadership in the areas of positive communication, sustaining group dynamics, sharpening negotiating skills and building team cohesiveness. This training also focused on reinforcing the importance of good interpersonal relations, eliminating or successfully defusing conflict in the work place, and keeping the lines of communication between management and employees open. Topics like why to hire the handicapped and prevention of sexual harassment were thoroughly explored.
Education
State University of New York, Binghamton, NY
Ph.D. in Comparative Literature
Major: Arabic Language/Literature
Minor: Anglo-American Romanticism
M.A. in Comparative Literature
Major: Comparative Literature
Minor: Arabic Language/Literature
Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
B.A. in Arabic language and Literature
