Nizar Hamzeh

Professor of Political Science

Dr. Nizar Hamzeh is a professor of political science and public international law. Previously, he served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at AUK (2007-2013), provost, and interim president in the fall of 2013, and AUK president from January 2014 to January 2017. 
 
Prior to joining the American University of Kuwait in 2005, Dr. Hamzeh was a lecturer at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles (1987-1989) and an assistant and associate professor at the American University of Beirut (AUB) from 1989 to 2005. He also served as chair of the Political Studies and Public Administration Department at AUB (1990-1999), member of AUB’s senate (1997-1999), and dean of student affairs (1999-2000). A 1979 graduate of the Lebanese University Faculty of Law, Dr. Hamzeh pursued graduate studies at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles receiving his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in political science/public international law in 1982 and 1986, respectively. 
 
Professor Hamzeh’s areas of teaching include research methods, public international law, conflict management and resolution, terrorism and international law and western and Islamic political theories. He is an internationally-recognized authority on the culture and politics of Lebanon, with special focus on the development of Hizbullah and Islamist movements across the Middle East. He is the author of In the Path of Hizbullah, published by Syracuse University Press, December 2004. His book received the U.S. Choice Magazine Outstanding Academic Book Award for 2005. He has co-authored two other books on Lebanese politics and published tens of journal articles. His books and articles are published by scholarly presses and international referred journals such as International Journal of the Middle East (IJMES), Third World Quarterly, and Middle East Quarterly. His research work is also published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Washington D.C. Professor Hamzeh was the recipient of the Senior Fulbright Scholar in 2001 and Fulbright Scholar Expert in 2003.