Arabic (ARAB)

ARAB 1410. Beginning Arabic I.

This course is an introduction to understanding and using Arabic at the beginner level. It is designed for students with no prior knowledge and develops foundational skills in Modern Standard Arabic and a spoken dialect (such as Egyptian or Levantine). Learners acquire the alphabet and build reading, writing, speaking, and listening abilities through regular practice and daily homework. The course supports progress toward Low proficiency and uses cultural topics from Arabic‑speaking regions as objects of study to support linguistic comprehension. Students who take ARAB 1410 toward degree requirements must also complete ARAB 1420.

ARAB 1420. Beginning Arabic II.

This course is the continued practice in understanding and using Arabic at the beginner level. It is designed for students with no prior knowledge and develops foundational skills in Modern Standard Arabic and a spoken dialect (such as Egyptian or Levantine). Learners continue developing their writing, speaking, and listening abilities through regular practice and daily homework. The course supports continued progress toward Intermediate-Low proficiency and uses cultural topics from Arabic‑speaking regions as objects of study to support linguistic comprehension. Prerequisite: ARAB 1410 with a grade of "C" or better.

ARAB 2310. Intermediate Arabic I.

This course reviews skills from ARAB 1410 and ARAB 1420 and introduces intermediate level abilities in Modern Standard Arabic and a spoken dialect. Students strengthen their comprehension and production skills through practice in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Instruction includes writing on familiar topics, translating between Arabic and English, and participating in short conversations. Cultural topics from Arabic speaking regions are incorporated as objects of study to support linguistic comprehension and provide contextual examples of language use. The course prepares students for continued progress in the Arabic sequence and for work with increasingly complex texts. Prerequisite: ARAB 1420 with a grade of "C" or better.

ARAB 2320. Intermediate Arabic II.

This course reviews material from ARAB 1410 through ARAB 2310 and strengthens intermediate level skills in Modern Standard Arabic. Students expand their abilities in reading, writing, listening, and speaking through consistent practice and structured assignments. Coursework includes translating between Arabic and English, composing short texts, and participating in conversations on familiar topics. Cultural topics from Arabic speaking regions are examined as objects of study to support comprehension and to illustrate language use in context. The course prepares students for further intermediate and advanced study by reinforcing grammatical patterns, vocabulary, and communicative functions. Prerequisite: ARAB 2310 with a grade of "C" or better.

ARAB 3301. Levantine Arabic.

This course introduces students to Levantine Arabic as spoken in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and the Palestinian territories. Students develop foundational skills in listening, speaking, and cultural awareness of Arabic and the Arabic speaking world, with attention to communication in real-life situations. The course examines similarities and differences between Levantine Arabic and Modern Standard Arabic to explore sociolinguistic variation and diglossia. Students practice the use of Levantine Arabic in everyday interactions, analyze dialectal differences, and describe culturally informed perspectives on linguistic choices. Prerequisite: ARAB 2320 with a grade of "C" or better.

ARAB 3302. Media Arabic.

This course develops students’ proficiency in Arabic through the study of contemporary media sources. Students examine linguistic, cultural, and communicative features of Arabic language media and compare them with media practices in the United States. The course emphasizes interpretation of authentic print, broadcast, and digital materials and introduces strategies for identifying themes, vocabulary, and discourse structures. Students analyze how cultural and situational contexts shape communication and use Arabic sources alongside English language materials to conduct comparative and cross linguistic analysis. Coursework strengthens reading, listening, and analytical skills while expanding vocabulary related to current events. Prerequisite: ARAB 2320 with a grade of "C" or better.

ARAB 3303. Business Arabic.

This course develops students’ proficiency in using Modern Standard Arabic in professional and commercial contexts while strengthening cultural and linguistic competence. Students interpret and produce workplace documents such as correspondence, contracts, and reports using authentic materials from Arabic speaking regions. The course examines contemporary economic, demographic, and cultural factors that shape communication practices in business settings. Through case studies and applied tasks, students analyze cross cultural negotiation strategies and develop professional materials relevant to Arabic speaking markets. Emphasis is placed on using Arabic appropriately and effectively across diverse professional interactions. Prerequisite: ARAB 2320 with a grade of "C" or better.

ARAB 3304. Arab Civilization and Culture.

This course provides an interdisciplinary overview of the civilizations and cultures of Arabic speaking societies from the emergence of Islam to the present. Students examine major historical developments, intellectual and artistic traditions, and the evolution of social and religious institutions. The course emphasizes cultural continuity, regional diversity, and patterns of exchange within and beyond the Arab world. Drawing on primary and secondary sources in translation, students analyze how historical contexts shaped literary, artistic, and institutional expressions. Prerequisite: ARAB 2320 with a grade of "C" or better.

ARAB 4390. Studies in Arabic Language and Culture.

This course provides supervised individual study in Arabic language or culture. Students work directly with a faculty member to design and complete a focused project suited to their academic goals. The course is typically taken by seniors who have completed advanced Arabic coursework or by graduate students with specific research needs. Students in approved education abroad programs may apply the course toward upper division Arabic elective requirements. Coursework may include research, analysis, translation, or focused linguistic or cultural study. Students may earn up to six hours of Independent Study credit, with each enrollment addressing a different topic. The course is repeatable with varying emphases. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.