The American University in Cairo
Long Range Planning Unit Report
From Center for American Studies and Research
(CASAR)
Prepared by Dr. Manar El-Shorbagy, Academic Director
Hany Hanna, Assistant
May 17, 2006
Introduction
The report for CASAR was prepared by Dr. Manar El-Shorbagy (Academic Director)
and Dr. Robert Switzer (Philosophy and Acting CASAR Director for 2006-2007) in
consultation with the CASAR advisory committee.
Strategic Themes and Planning Unit Assumptions and Objectives
CASAR’s mission and goals fall directly within the theme of academic excellence.
According to its mission statement, the Center promotes a “scholarly multidisciplinary approach to the study of the U.S. specifically designed to address the
concerns and needs of the societies of our part of the World.” This includes enhancing
and developing academic programs at AUC, and outreach programs to scholars and
the broader public in Egypt and the region. Through workshops, an on-going series of
conferences and other means, the aim of the Center is to enliven discussion and
encourage scholarly interchange and research in the field of American Studies.
CASAR has identified two main goals for its long-range plan:
First, strengthen the quality and breadth of academic programs in American
Studies. The Center aims to further develop and publicize the American
Studies minor and work toward creating a graduate program in American
Studies
Second, to strengthen the research activities and AUC’s intellectual
contribution to Egypt and beyond. The Center aims to encourage and
disseminate serious research in American Studies by AUC faculty and
students as well as the Egyptian scholarly community.
2
Unit Plan for Center for American Studies and Research
Strategic Theme 1: Academic Excellence
Goal 1: Strengthening the quality of academic program in American Studies
Objective (1): Determine ways to attract undergraduate students for the minor.
Objective (2): Assess the market for a Graduate Diploma, M.A. in American Studies, and/or short courses for professionals.
Objective (3): Work with departments to encourage hiring faculty committed to American Studies.
Objective (4): Work with the administration and fundraisers to build resources
Outcomes
Proposed New / Changed Performance Indicators Time Frame
Resources
(expected results)
(indicate how you will
(start and end dates of (faculty, staff,
Programs, Initiatives,
measure achievement of
new programs /
budget, equipment,
Activities
outcomes)
activities)
space … needs)
O.1 Determine ways
1.1 Create a sub-committee  New courses
F07, ongoing
None
to attract
to work with the director of
developed
undergraduate students the Center on:
 New Students
for the minor.
- re-examining and
enrolled in the minor
developing the
 Increase in class
undergraduate curriculum.
enrollments.
- Coordinating with the
admissions office, the
Registrar and others to
better publicize the minor.
O.2 Assess market for 2.1 Work with IPART, the  Production of data on F07, ongoing
None
Graduate Diploma or
Office of Communications
potential students for
M.A. in American
and Marketing, and CACE
graduate programs
studies and for short
to assess the market for
(Diploma / M.A.) and
courses for
graduate programs and
short courses
professionals (e.g.
short courses.
journalists, diplomats)
3
Outcomes
(expected results)
Proposed New / Changed
Programs, Initiatives,
Activities
O.3 Work with
departments to
encourage hiring
faculty committed to
American Studies
3.1 Create a sub-committee
to work with different
departments
O.4 Work with the
administration and in
the field of fundraising
to build resources:
a. to compensate
departments for
faculty
commitment to
American Studies
b. to help recruit
exceptionally
qualified faculty
c. Endowed chair(s)
in American
Studies
4.1 Work with the
Development Office on
resources for the center,
including drafting grant
and funding proposals and
meeting with prospective
donors.
Performance Indicators
(indicate how you will
measure achievement of
outcomes)
 Hiring of energetic
and highly-qualified
faculty committed to
American Studies in
ECL, HIST, POLS.
Time Frame
(start and end dates of
new programs /
activities)
F07, ongoing

AY07-11: Create one
endowed chair by 0809, and a second
chair by 10-11

Increase in the
Center’s resources
from outside sources.
Funded endowed
chairs, to create
incentives for depts.
to hire American
studies faculty
4
Resources
(faculty, staff,
budget, equipment,
space … needs)
Resources to
compensate
departments, as
appropriate, for
faculty
commitments to
American Studies.
Resources as
appropriate:
requires proactive
commitment of
time and energy by
the Development
Office as well as
CASAR staff.
Unit Plan for Center for American Studies and Research
Strategic Theme 1: Academic Excellence
Goal 2: Strengthen research activities and expand AUC’s intellectual contributions.
Objective (1): Maintain the Center's tradition of visible conferences on topics in American Studies.
Objective (2): Outreach to the Egyptian intellectual and scholarly community.
Objective (3): Encourage student research in American Studies
Objective (4): Support Release time for American Studies faculty for research
Outcomes
Proposed New /
Performance Indicators
Time Frame
(expected results)
(indicate how you will
(start and end dates
Changed Programs,
measure achievement of
of new programs /
Initiatives, Activities
outcomes)
activities)
O.1 Maintain the
1.1 Create a subF07, ongoing
 Maintain the current
center's tradition of
committee to produce the
record of two annual
visible conferences on annual plan for research
conferences as well as
topics in American
activities for the center
workshops and
Studies
monthly series lectures
O.2 Outreach to the
2.1 Create a subF07, ongoing
 Maintain the current
Egyptian intellectual
committee to work on
record of attendance at
and scholarly
new ways to strengthen
activities
community
the outreach program
 Attracting visiting
scholars
O.3 Encourage student 3.1 Create a subF07, ongoing
 Increase in number of
research in American
committee to produce
students doing research
Studies
proposals on ways to
encourage students to do
research on American
Studies topics.
5
Resources
(faculty, staff, budget,
equipment, space …
needs)
Budget line for
conferences
Increase budget line for
center's activities
Prize for students'
research
Outcomes
(expected results)
Proposed New /
Changed Programs,
Initiatives, Activities
O.4 Release time for
American Studies
faculty for research
4.1 Create a subcommittee to write a
proposal to support
faculty research
Performance Indicators
(indicate how you will
measure achievement of
outcomes)
 Release time for faculty
6
Time Frame
(start and end dates of
new programs /
activities)
F07, ongoing
Resources
(faculty, staff,
budget, equipment,
space … needs)
Resources are
needed for faculty
release time