SAMIR I. (SAM) BITAR

Adjunct Instructor
College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Modern &Classical Languages and Literatures
Arabic Language and Culture
University of Montana

EDUCATION

B. S. Civil Engineering - Northern Montana College - Montana State University March, 1980

Saint George’s School – East Jerusalem – Jordan

All instruction conducted in Arabic for grades K – 8 and in Arabic/English for grades 9-12. We spoke a modern dialect of Arabic and learned Classical Arabic, which is the accepted standard for all written material. Successfully completed the required G. C. E. (General Certificate of Education-London University) exams including Advanced levelArabic Language. Fall 1974

SPECIAL Arabic Teachers Training Seminar – Aug. 14-20, 2005
The National Middle East Language Resource Center
Department of Middle Eastern & South Asian Studies
Emory University, Atlanta , GA.

Developing Materials For Less Commonly Taught Languages - July 28-Aug. 1, 2003
The Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition
Summer Institute Program 2003
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

 Arabic Instructor’s Conference - Aug. 22-25, 2003
Office of International Education
Montana Sate University, Bozeman, MT

Faculty Development Workshop- July 1-5, 2002
Central Asia and Caspian Basin Program
The University of Montana, Missoula, MT.

Arabic Instructor’s Conference - Sept. 6-8, 2002
Office of International Education
Montana State University, Bozeman, MT

Advanced Arabic Distance Learning Program - August 10-15, 2001.
Department of Near Eastern Languages and Literatures
University of Washington, Seattle, WA.

Arabic Distance Learning Program - July 21-27, 2000.
Department of Near Eastern Languages and Literatures
University of Washington, Seattle, WA.

Arabic TA Training - August 9-13, 1999.
Office of International Education
Montana State University, Bozeman, MT.

EXPERIENCE Broad Knowledge Base and International Exposure.

1999-PRES. UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA – Arabic Language Instructor – Full responsibility for [6Years] course instruction, following the defined syllabus using the textbook and workbook. Leading conversations, grammar, drills and cultural studies. Guest speaker with the History Department addressing Arab Culture and the Middle East. Facilitator with the Multicultural Center and panelist with Amnesty International Forums. I currently teach 1 st, 2 nd and third year Arabic.

WASHINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL – Parent volunteer -Assisted Students with math concepts for 6th grade and 7th grade curriculum based on the STEM project. Three times a week, first period. Integrated math into an inter-disciplinary unit on Islam. Students used Islamic Art to design plates that included several geometrical elements and Arabic Alphabets.

1992 to PRES. POCKETS – Owner/Manager - Developed the business from initial concept, design and planning, through financing, locating, construction and successful operations.

1989-1991 GOETTING AND ASSOCIATES, INC. – CADD Coordinator – In-house technical support for CADD and computer related activities, using State of the Art hardware and software. Assisted CADD operators with day-to-day hardware and software problems.

AL RUMAIH – Software Engineer/CADD Specialist – Full responsibility for CADD installations Kingdom-wide. Tasks included training, installation, demonstration, troubleshooting, performance auditing and general consultation. Within these years, spent six months at King Faisal University and three months at King Abdulaziz University during which I trained lecturers from the college of Architecture on systems management and CADD utilization.

AL-BASEM COMPANY LTD. - CADD/Project Manager – Responsible for graphical and engineering work which included liaison with the computer vendor, supervision of in-house training, liaison with the client, systems management of VAX-11/750 and Data General Model 20 computers, scheduling and follow-up of drawings and operations.

1980-1983 SAUDI OGER LIMITED – Site Engineer – Structural design and analysis. Construction planning and estimation. Other positions held have been concrete quality supervisor, consultant coordination, and supervisor for local subcontractors.

AWARDS & HONORS:

The Arabic Program at the University of Montana and its consortium partners received the Andrew Heiskell Award for innovation in “Internationalizing the Campus”.

Honorary Membership in the Golden Key International Honor Society, based on my commitment to higher education, passion for the field and encouragement of the students. (Document attached)

Awarded grant support in the amount of ($1,164.00) to participate in a summer institute at the Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition.

One week at the University of Minnesota’s summer institute program 2003.

Awarded a Mini-Sabbatical Faculty development Grant in the amount of ($1,500.00) to participate in a one week Arabic Teachers Training Seminar at Emory University.

Awarded the funds necessary to pay for the Arabic Teachers Training Seminar

fees at Emory University. The funds were provided by The National Middle East Language Resource Center at BYU and Emory University.

SERVICE:

Public Service

Speaker at churches, community groups, and public schools. Participated as a guest speaker, parent volunteer, speech and debate judge, and science fair judge.

Lectures and Presentations AY 2003-2004

Big Sky High School Diversity Week -4 days

Keynote Speaker 25 th Anniversary, Golden Key Honors Society

Model Arab League Annual

Panelist/Amnesty International, Annual. (Debate Human Rights Issues)

Facilitator/Multi-Cultural Center. (Conduct an open discussion after viewing)

University of Montana Service

Keynote speaker at The Model Arab League Annual conference, Office of International Programs

Visit with Scholars from the Republic of Georgia, Central Asian Studies

Keynote Speaker at Foreign Languages and Literatures Day, Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures, “Create Your Own Passion – Learn Arabic” r

CURRENT MEMBERSHIPS:

Active member of the Central and Southwest Asian Studies Group on campus and the Model Arab League Conference.

Montana Association of Language Teachers

National Education Association

Golden Key International Honour Society

Middle East Studies Association

PROFESSIONAL:

Arabic Language and Culture, Middle East Issues with emphasis on the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict.

Translation, Arabic/English and English/Arabic.

Services provided to World News Link, Catholic Social Services, Linguistics Dept. and the Department of Modern & Classical Languages and Literatures.

C urrently enrolled at the University of Montana as a nondegree Graduate student in the process of putting together a program to acquire an M.I.S. (Interdisciplinary Studies), which will combine Linguistics, Teaching Methods and History. Professor Mehrdad Kia is my advisor.

PERSONAL:

U. S. Citizen - Married, two children – Wife, native Montanan – Resident of U. S. since 1974. Fluent in Arabic and English.