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General Education

Overview

General education component is a set of courses that all undergraduate students must complete as part of graduation requirements. General education is an aspect of the curriculum that intends to provide students with critical thinking and a broad understanding of the approaches to knowledge such as humanities, arts, social science and natural science. Students also acquire a common core of understanding among courses (such as in Islamic Studies or other Cultural Studies), and a level of competencies appropriate to higher education in mathematics, information literacy, the application of technology, and communications.

Each academic program in colleges in AUE requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of General Education courses

General Education Competencies

  • Communication Literacy: Develop effective strategies of communication
  • Quantitative Literacy: Utilize mathematical and other quantitative information to formulate evidence-based conclusions
  • Information Literacy: Interpret information from various print and digital sources while developing research methodologies effectively and ethically
  • Scientific Literacy: Apply scientific methodology and paradigm to contemporary issues
  • Critical Thinking: Demonstrate critical thinking in problem solving
  • Ethical Reasoning: Recognize ethical issues when presented in a given context
  • Aesthetic and creative comprehension: Express personal reflection in creative works

Each academic program in colleges in AUE requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of General Education courses.

List of categorized courses:

GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES

The Humanities or Arts

This course explores Arab art and aesthetics from the beginning of the twentieth century till date. The students will learn about the contemporary art and design movement in Arab countries, the expression of cultural identity, as well as the factors involved and changes in aesthetics from Islamic to Arabic art. They will also study and analyze the role of pioneer artists from various generations with emphasis on their influence on contemporary Arab art.

This course will introduce the students to the key concepts of philosophy and its principle tools. The course will discuss the schools of philosophical thought, and will apply philosophical analysis to the topics of knowledge, religion, mind, freedom, responsibility, and ethics.  

This course will provide the students with a comprehensive overview of English literature in the United States. It will familiarize the students primarily with early Anglo-American writers and the different literary movements that took place in the United States. Today American literature includes many minority literary works, but the historical matrix remains Anglo-Saxon if we are to consider the dominant culture as the starting historical point.  

This course provides an overview of World / General History. The course will conclude with discussions about perspectives on World History.

This course provides an overview of Middle-Eastern History, including the sources of Middle Eastern History. The course will conclude with discussions about perspectives on Middle-Eastern History.

The Social or Behavioral Sciences

This course serves as an introduction into the interdisciplinary and multifaceted social sciences. The content on the course covers the range of different disciplines that social sciences consists of, namely: anthropology, sociology, psychology, political science, economics and to a lesser extent also history and geography. The secondary aim of the course is moreover for students to develop their critical thinking skills by engaging actively with material about social issues, social change and social institutions.  

This is the introductory course on international relations which is a foundational one for all students who wants to major in international relations and security studies. This course is also interesting and useful for students in business, trade, and economics. We will introduce students with the basic theories, concepts, methods, and principles used in the field as well as with the formation, evolution and expansion of the modern state system and its challenges and difficulties. The course will also focus on major issues and events in world politics like the World Wars, Cold War, diplomacy, NorthSouth debate, global war on terrorism, global trade and so on. Special attention will be given on the analysis of the formation and evolution of global and regional organizations like the UN system and the EU. The concepts of power, security, war, and conflict will also be analyzed in the class. It is expected that after finishing the course students will not only be familiar with the international system, the mechanism of its functions and activities but will also be able understand and analyze them from their own views and perspectives based on acquired knowledge and informed interests.

This course will introduce the students to the key concepts of Political Science and its principal tools. The course will discuss the role of main political actors in the field of politics and their function.

An introduction to the science of psychology, its theories and foundations. The course is focused on principles and research methodologies, including the following topics: history of psychology, the biology of mind, memory, learning, child and personality development, psychological disorders and therapy. The aim of the course is to introduce the basis of psychology, provide the foundational knowledge to pursue the subject in more depth in the future, and build an ongoing interest in the application of psychology in everyday life.

This course introduces the science of Sociology. Students will examine Society, Institutions and the relationships that make up a social context. The scientific methodology used to study social interactions, stratification and other elements of sociological enquiry will be discussed to emphasize the core concept of sociology as a systematic study of societies and social structures.

This course provides an understanding of anthropology, the study of human beings throughout time and space. Anthropology is a broad discipline that studies human from a holistic perspective looking at both biological and cultural aspects. Anthropologists use different methods in order to understand and study humans. During this course, students will experience ethnographic fieldwork.

Innovation is the engine of opportunity and, acting as a catalyst, this course is intended to ignite an interest in innovation and inspire entrepreneurial action. At the core of innovation and entrepreneurship is a commitment to experiential learning that will encourage students to engage in critical thinking, creative problem-solving while also equipping them with the soft skills needed in their pursuit of academic and professional endeavors. Students will discuss the relevance and role of innovation and entrepreneurship in work and life situations; determine opportunities for creative disruption and design a strategy for its implementation; develop a practical understanding of innovation through thoughtful debate and exercises; and demonstrate critical thinking and individual insight with a personal mastery portfolio.

This course will provide the students with a comprehensive overview of geography. Emphasis is on concepts that are necessary to understand global, regional and local issues. This course also includes topics on both human and physical geography.  

This course introduces basic human rights philosophy, principles, instruments, and institutions. It examines the major sources of international human rights and fundamental freedoms, including treaties such as the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights, and on Social, Cultural, and Economic Rights. It studies their protection in the regional institutions such as the European Convention on human rights, the American Declaration on Human Rights and the African Charter of Human Rights and Peoples. This course also analyzes the mechanism of protection and enforcement of human rights in these regional institutions. 

It also seeks to interpret the guarantees of enforcement of human rights in international law, and in UAE Constitution. 

The Natural sciences

The natural science course incorporates a wide range of subjects of sciences such as astronomy, geology, biology, chemistry, and environmental science. The course will present the scientific facts of astronomy, the Earth and its weather, water, and environment, biology, and nutrition with the chemicals of life. The course emphasizes understanding the core principles of different branches of science and their effects on our lives. Moreover, the course explores the scope of natural phenomena, changing environment conditions, general health rules of nutrition, and the variety of living organisms. The course helps the students to acquire skills in observation, critical thinking, analyzing, interpreting, understanding and discussing scientific terminology and facts.

This course gives a thorough introduction to sustainable energy, conservation, and energy efficiency within the UAE and the world. It will explore the relationship between energy, environment, economy and ecological well-being. It will discuss energy production from the biology, natural science, environmental science and social sciences perspectives. A variety of topics will be introduced including global warming, climate change, sustainable food production, solid waste management, environmental and natural resources laws. The course includes the growing challenges of climate change and energy crisis and proposes solutions to overcome them.

The ‘Principles of Environmental Science’ course is designed to introduce the fundamental concepts of Environmental Science to undergraduate students. It includes topics from different areas of study such as ecology, biology, soil science and atmospheric science. The course aims at raising environmental awareness among students and providing them with the scientific knowledge and skills to identify, prevent and solve environmental problems. Additionally, it deals with ecological concepts, organism interactions, communities and ecosystems. The course focuses on key areas of population dynamics, biodiversity, human activities and the environment managed ecosystems, air quality, water and solid waste management.

This course explores the physical concepts of electrostatics and electromagnetism. This subject benefits the students to develop sold background of the electricity and magnetism fundamentals. Topics include: electric charge, electric field, Coulomb's law, Gauss’s law, electronic component such as resistors, capacitors and indicators, direct and alternative currents and various experiments that focused on the given topics.

Physics course introduces the basic concepts, theories and terminologies of the scientific method in the context of the science of physics. Students will reinterpret and express ideas and views of our physical world from the basic principles of physics. Mathematics being the physics’ language, students enrolled in this course are expected to be able to deal with simple vectors operations, basics of calculus (differentiation and integration), algebraic relations and trigonometric functions. This course allows students to differentiate between the various multitudes of measurement, learn kinematics including translational and rotational motion together with the motion of projectiles, interpret forces and torque, and then apply Newton’s Laws to analyze objects situations. Students will be able to set up equations related to energy conservation, work and momentum conservation.

Information Technology or Math

This course is especially designed for business students. Mathematics for Business teaches the mathematical skills required for problem solving and decision making in the business world through use of mathematical models. Topics include: functions as mathematical models, equation-solving techniques, matrices and determinant, differential and integral calculus, exponential growth and decay and geometric series and its applications in business functions.

The General Statistics course is designed to develop good understanding of the basic concepts of statistical theorems, and applications. The course covers topics such as data collection methods, organization of data, analysis and interpretation of results. A software package will be used to analyze the statistical data.

This course is designed to develop a good understanding of the fundamental concepts of mathematics. It also stresses on crucial cognitive transferable skills such as the ability to think logically and concisely. Mastering this course will give students the confidence to go on and do further courses in mathematics and statistics.

The purpose of this introductory course is to study computers and data. It gives an establishment to utilizing computers in different courses and educational module for research, correspondence, and writing. Students will be exposed to the fundamentals of hardware and its associated software and systems improvement. The course will show how the computer automates the processing of information.  

Languages/Communication Studies

The purpose of this course is to facilitate the process of transition into new academic and cultural environment for the new students enrolled in the AUE. Furthermore, it aims to promote their confidence so that they could succeed and meet the academic requirements. The course assimilates academic content with interactive in class activities to ensure understanding of curricular options and begin to develop a future career plan through self-reflection.

This course provides students with advanced writing skills in English so that they can successfully pursue their studies in various academic specializations. It helps students to develop, improve, and upgrade their writing and structure skills, and it also acquaints students with technical writing, research papers, and essays since brief research methods are applied in student projects and assignments.

The intent of this course is two-fold. First, it introduces students with the basic research terminologies. Second, it familiarizes them with the process of research from choosing a topic to writing the proposal. Students will be immersed in hands on experience where they will be introduced to research concepts that will help them understand, interpret, and review a journal article. Contents to be covered include the language of research, types of research, elements of scientific research proposal, writing an academic research proposal using APA style, research ethics, identifying data collection instruments, and interpreting data.

صُمم هذا المساق لتمكين الطالب من تحليل نصوص متعددة في حقول معرفية متنوعة؛ ليصبح قادراً على التمييز بين النصوص على اختلاف مضامينها ومحتوياتها، كما يمكنه بعد ذلك من محاكاة تلك النصوص بطريقة صحيحة، وتحويل المعلومة إلى مهارة وسلوك. وبما أنّ الكتابة عملية بناء متكاملة، وأنّ البناء يتأثر بأجزائه؛ لذا يحتاج إلى نماذج تطبيقية، وقوانين تتهتم بالسلامة اللغوية، إضافة إلى التخطيط والتماسك، لتحقيق أهداف، منها: الإخبار والاستعلام، والطلب، والتأثير بالمتلقي؛ لذلك يربط هذا المساق الأقسام النظرية بالجانب التطبيقي العملي؛ كون هذا المساق مهاري ويهدف إلى تمكين الطالب من المهارات نظرياً وتطبيقياً.

This course is based on the principle that "Education" is an accumulative task especially when it comes to language learning. This process undergoes specific stages to assist the non-Arabic speakers to reach the ultimate goal which is to acquire the required skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing) easily and accurately. To achieve this aim, text-based dialogues are provided as head start for the non-Arabic speakers to continue to the higher levels. The course also provides basic elements for reading, writing, dialogues, and listening to assist the learners to confidently interact with the Arab community.

The purpose of this course is to facilitate the process of transition into new academic and cultural environment for the new students enrolled in the AUE. Furthermore, it aims to promote their confidence so that they could succeed and meet the academic requirements.
The course assimilates academic content with interactive in class activities to ensure understanding of curricular options and begin to develop a future career plan through self-reflection.

صُمم هذا المساق لتمكين الطالب الناطق باللغة العربية من المهارات اللغوية الضرورية، وخاصة التركيز على خطوات كتابة التقارير والرسائل الإدارية والبحوث المنهجية؛ ولتحقيق ذلك جاءت المهارات متنوعة ومتدرجة، لتنمية قدرات الطالب على الفهم الصحيح والأداء المتميز لما يقرأ ويسمع، وليكتسب القدرة على كتابة المقالات والتقارير ومحاضر الاجتماعات وتوصيات المؤتمرات والندوات بصورة سليمة، لذا عُني المساق بتدريب الطالب على المهارات الأساسية للكتابة؛ كقواعد الإملاء المتعددة وعلامات الترقيم ونظام الفقرة وكتابة المقال على نحو متدرج، ومن خلال ربط الأقسام النظرية بالجانب التطبيقي العملي؛ كون هذا المساق مهاري ويهدف إلى تمكين الطالب من المهارات نظرياً وتطبيقياً.

Islamic Studies

This course will expand students’ knowledge to enable them to understand the Islamic culture and its characteristics. It analyzes the sources of legislation in Islam. It offers a review of the history of Islam and how it is currently the fastest growing religion in the world.  

This course aims to focus on the evolution of Islamic Art through a chronological overview of various ‎trends and approaches throughout history. Students will explore and analyze the rise and influence of ‎Islam leading to the formation of a new artistic culture the world over.‎

The course is designed to give an in-depth understanding of the Islamic civilization. It deals with the universal principles that went into the making of the Islamic civilization. It examines the basic ideas of Islamic civilization besides exploring their contemporary relevance and challenges. The course seeks to effectively address the notion of the ‘clash of civilizations.  

UAE Studies

The course is designed to introduce the UAE and GCC society with its historical background and uniqueness. It is aimed at enabling students to understand the specific features of the society along with its customs, traditions and lifestyle. The course will introduce the processes and the challenges of development as well as the future aspirations of the UAE and GCC Society.

Preparatory course

The goal of this course is to provide foundation of mathematics for university study. It will help students thrive in their mathematics and technology courses. Students will be exposed to fundamental algebraic background and functions. This course properly prepares students to deal with equations and inequalities. Moreover, essential functions will be introduced to students like exponential, logarithmic, sine, cosine and tangent.

The goal of this course is to provide a foundation by which a basic intuition to Information and communication technology is introduced, describing the various attributes of the said technologies, showcasing the gradual evolution of the Internet and introducing the learners to the basics of utilizing technology in the form of acquainting them to the Graphical User Interface of an operating system and the basic functional software most commonly used to utilize technology.

صُمِّم هذا المساق لتمكين الطالب في البرنامج التأسيسي من المهارات اللغوية الضرورية، وخاصة التركيز على أساسيات اللغة العربية كتابة ومحادثة؛ ليتمكن من الالتحاق بالمساقات المعتمدة في كليته بعد اجتيازه متطلبات هذا المساق؛ ولتحقيق ذلك جاءت المهارات متنوعة ومتدرجة، لتنمية قدرات الطالب على الفهم الصحيح والأداء المتميز لما يقرأ ويسمع، وليكتسب القدرة على الكتابة بصورة سليمة وخالية من الأخطاء؛ لذا يُعني المساق بتدريب الطالب على المهارات الأساسية للكتابة؛ كقواعد النحو الوظيفي، والإملاء، وعلامات الترقيم، وكتابة الفقرة، ثم النصّ على نحو متدرج، إضافة لتطبيق تلك المهارات الشفوية والكتابية في عمليات عدة لعل أهمها كتابة التقرير المتعلق بالمادة وعرضه ارتجالاً أمام الطلبة

Students will develop an introductory level of skill in drawing through intensive studio practice based on direct observation and imitation of line, shape, form, tone, value, texture, and perspective. Students are required to develop the ability to identify and imitate shapes and forms in nature and develop mark-making and personal expression and visual fluency using a range of simple drawing mediums. Also key in this course is active participation in group critiques using appropriate terminology.

Physics course introduces the basic concepts, theories and terminologies of the scientific method in the context of the science of physics. Students will reinterpret and express ideas and views of our physical world from the basic principles of physics. Mathematics being the physics’ language, students enrolled in this course are expected to be able to deal with simple vectors operations, basics of calculus (differentiation and integration), algebraic relations and trigonometric functions. This course allows students to differentiate between the various multitudes of measurement, learn kinematics including translational and rotational motion together with the motion of projectiles, interpret forces and torque, and then apply Newton’s Laws to analyze objects situations. Students will be able to set up equations related to energy conservation, work and momentum conservation.

This course provides students with advanced writing components in English so that they can successfully pursue their studies in various academic specializations. Students practice writing long argumentative and reflective essays, with emphasis on implementing APA format in paper format, in-text citation and references in projects and assignments

Elective Courses

Happiness Studies will introduce students to the basic views of the creation and sustaining of happy societies from a multidisciplinary perspective. Beginning with exploring the universality of happiness at the individual and group levels, students will explore motivation, positive psychology, and creativity before moving onto exploring in detail the fundamental elements of Happiness, empathy, compassion, altruism, and gratitude. Through various exercises, students will be able to apply those concepts to their personal and professional lives in a way that also enables them to make a positive difference in their communities.

This course will examine how women participate and effect political change in a global context. Through a focus on the status of women in society, this course will introduce students to contemporary issues surrounding women’s political participation, representation, and citizenship. Students will develop the ability to think critically about the relationship between sex and gender and the intersections of race, class, religion, law and nation. This course will explore women’s diverse histories, movements, and feminist activism. Students will evaluate whether women’s efforts to achieve equal political rights have worked and what obstacles women still face in accessing political institutions. In addition, students will reflect on a wide-range of policy issues related to violence against women, employment, family values, and reproductive health. This course will also ask what possibilities are available for individuals to take action to improve society and enable women’s full participation as citizens, activists, voters, and politicians.

Tolerance & Society introduces students to the fundamental tenets of tolerance as explored from a multidisciplinary perspective. Beginning with exploring diversity and the debates surrounding race and ethnicity, gender, age and physical ability students then delve into a historic overview of discrimination and culture in a globalized world before moving onto an overview of human rights discourse. Students are equipped to then delve into defining tolerance and its relationship with acceptance and understanding and the importance of tolerance in building happy, sustainable, and prosperous nations. Particular emphasis is given on the role that they, as young individuals, can contribute to building tolerant communities and promoting tolerance internationally.

This course focuses on improving students’ English language skills for business so that they can effectively communicate in formal business-oriented situations. The course also focuses on contextualized writing instructions and sentence skills.

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