The Egypt Study Group (ESG) project was established at Rhode Island College (RIC) in 1977, with the objective to identify and develop an awareness of the role of Egypt in the Middle East and the modern world. To achieve this, group participants traveled to Egypt for research and data collection and developed K-12 instructional materials and college courses pertaining to this area.
The project was funded through the Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad grant program. The successful proposal, titled The Arab Republic of Egypt: Role and Impact on the Middle East and the Modern World--A Multi-level Curriculum Development Project, was submitted in October 1977 by Dr. Gamal Zaki (Professor in the Department of Sociology/Social Welfare) and David C. Woolman (Librarian and Assistant Professor in RIC’s Curriculum Resource Center). RIC cooperated with the Rhode Island Department of Education and selected school districts to develop the project. The ESG was led by Dr. Zaki as Project Director, Mr. Woolman as Curriculum Coordinator, Ernest W. Drew III (Assistant Professor of Education at Henry Barnard School) as Program Coordinator, and Dr. Clyde Slicker (Professor of Education) as Learning Activity Packages (LAPs) Coordinator. The American Friends of the Middle East and the American University of Cairo served as consultants. Participants in the ESG included RIC faculty and teachers in Rhode Island schools.
From March to June 1978, ESG participants undertook research and orientation in preparation for development of instructional materials and travel in Egypt. The group traveled in Egypt from July 22 through August 1978, during which they attended lectures, met with government officials, visited cultural attractions, observed Egyptian life first-hand, and collected data and materials relevant to curriculum development. Upon return to Rhode Island, participants developed LAPs for various topics and grade levels, as well as a Source Book for Teachers. LAPs and associated materials were deposited in the Curriculum Resource Center and made available for teacher use. The group organized community and continuing education programs, including in-service training workshops held for teachers planning to use the LAPs.
Significant topics represented in the collection include curriculum development and Egyptian society, culture, media, and government.
Materials are primarily textual, consisting of project documentation and Learning Activity Packages developed for various topics and grade levels. The collection includes photographic slides and audiocassettes that document the group’s activities in Egypt, where they attended lectures, met with government officials, visited cultural attractions, and observed Egyptian life. Additional materials include souvenirs and memorabilia collected during the trip, comprising a clay pot, city banners, and posters.
Researchers are advised to contact Rhode Island College Special Collections for questions regarding permissions to reproduce, distribute, or otherwise publish material from this collection. Although Rhode Island College has physical ownership of the collection, it does not necessarily hold literary rights. It is up to the researcher to determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain any necessary permissions from them.
The collection is open for research.
Rhode Island College. Egypt Study Group records, CA-0021, Special Collections, James P. Adams Library, Rhode Island College
The collection is arranged in 4 series:
The collection was initially transferred to the Special Collections in 1978 by Dr. Gamal Zaki. Additions were made to the collection by Dr. Zaki and Dave Woolman in 1979, 1997, and 1998.
The collection was arranged and described by Molly Bruce Patterson and Erica Florenz in 2021. Further description was added and the finding aid updated by Special Collections intern Rebecca Docter in 2024 under the supervision of Digital Archivist and Special Collections Librarian, Veronica Denison.
LPs, Learning Activity Packages, and publications were removed from this collection and are now housed in the Rare Books Collections.
This collection has not been digitized. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact the Rhode Island College Special Collections.
This series contains the Fulbright-Hays grant proposal submitted for the project in 1977, the project’s final report, and other documentation. Included are two photographic prints of the group and publicity of the group’s visit to Egypt.
This series consists of photographic slides taken by group participants while travelling in Egypt in 1978.
This series contains audiocassettes of recorded lectures, meetings, and other activities attended by group participants while travelling in Egypt in 1978.
This series contains souvenirs and memorabilia collected during the group’s travels in Egypt in 1978.