Chicago Flame - Arabic lecturer teaches language, reaches across cultures
Spotlight
By: Hafsa Naz Mahmood
Posted: 4/30/02
As the University of Illinois at Chicago's language department continues to
grow, Annie Higgins, a lecturer of Arabic in the Department of Classics and
Mediterranean Studies, is sailing right along.
Higgins earned a doctorate degree in Islamic and Arabic studies, with a focus on
early Islamic history, from the University of Chicago.
"I wrote about a political religious sect, which looks especially at identity
issues such as poetry, for instance," Higgins said.
"These issues of identity and how it leads to current events are important to me
in any age and are a part of what I take an interest in.
"I studied in Egypt for a little more than two years, and learned some
recitation of the Koran," she said.
Higgins began teaching at UIC in 1997. She said that was the first year two
Arabic classes (Arabic 101 and 103) were offered concurrently. 2001 was the
first year Arabic 201 was offered.
Two years ago, Arabic and Hebrew were put into the Classics Department and the
name was changed to Department of Classics and Mediterranean Studies.
Higgins has striven to be involved in humanitarian efforts. "In December of
2001, I made a trip to Lebanon and visited four refugee camps — Shatila,
Nahrlal, Barid, Burjalh, which I was at on New Year's Eve," she said.
The United Nations Refugee Works Agency was established in 1948, when
Palestinians fled their homelands.
"There are schools and community centers, and while I was there, some students,
young people were taking computers to these camps to help with others'
education.
"I went mainly for the person-to-person contact, and as part of education for us
here in Chicago. It's getting to be aware that they exist, and to gain knowledge
of what life is out like there. These people were born as refugees, and I find
it amazing how they maintain a sense of hope," Higgins said.
"Education is very important to them, although they can't necessarily follow
dreams and put goals into practice. Because refugees are not allowed to work in
Lebanon, there are some people who have medical degrees, but are not able put
their skills into practice."
After returning from Lebanon, she "wanted to make a connection between UIC
students in Chicago and Palestinian students in refugee camps in Lebanon, in
part because those students are in a way cut off, and sort of forgotten,"
Higgins said.
She feels people have forgotten about 1948, when many Palestinians fled to
Lebanon. Higgins had her Arabic 102 students write to other young Palestinian
refugees in these camps.
"My goal was for them to be able to reach out a little bit and get acquainted
with our students, and our students to get acquainted with them."
This year is Higgins' last teaching both 100-level Arabic classes. "Next year
there will be one more teacher, who will be teaching Arabic 101/102 and another
course in Islamic studies," she said.
Higgins also is excited a new minor is being offered in Middle Eastern Studies
through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
"LAS has developed a plan of requirements, and insha Allah, (God willing),
students will be able to declare a Middle Eastern Studies minor this coming
year."
Higgins said she also is grateful for her students.
"I think I really am fortunate because the students who take Arabic are there
because they want to be there. Even though they know it's challenging, there is
a high level of commitment and enthusiasm, and I am fortunate to have that.
Seeing my students is something I look forward to."
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