Arabic Studies (ARAB)

College of Arts and Humanities
3121 Jiménez Hall, 301-405-7492
www.languages.umd.edu/AsianEastEuropean/arabic/
flagship-arabic@umd.edu
 

The Major

This 42-credit major provides students with a solid background in linguistic, literary, and cultural aspects of the study of Arabic, inclusive of the cultures of North Africa, Egypt, the Arabic-speaking countries of Asia, and the peoples of the diaspora. 

 

The B.A. in Arabic Studies prepares students for a range of professional opportunities, including careers in government, education, business, and international development and communication. Students work toward competence in speaking, reading, writing, and listening; they will study the culture of Arabic-speaking peoples in their diverse perspectives, practices, and products; they will become conversant with the contemporary political and daily life of Arabic-speaking peoples, with cultural comparison implicit throughout their four years.  It is expected that many undergraduates will choose to double major or do a double degree in Arabic and another subject, including arts and humanities majors, business, computer science, and journalism.

 

Requirements for the Major

All students planning to pursue the major in Arabic Studies should contact the undergraduate advisor, who will be responsible for placement, oversight, and record keeping.  A grade of C (2.0) or better is required in all courses.

 

Prerequisites (18 credits)

Students must take the prerequisite courses or satisfy these requirements by placement:*

ARAB104		Elementary Modern Standard Arabic I-II    (6 credits)
ARAB105		Elementary Modern Standard Arabic III-IV (6 credits)
ARAB106		Elementary Egyptian Colloquial Arabic I
ARAB107		Elementary Egyptian Colloquial Arabic II

*Modern Standard Arabic is the formal variety of Arabic used throughout the Arab world, particularly for reading and writing.  Egyptian Colloquial Arabic is one of the major spoken varieties in the Middle East. Once credits have been received for a higher-level language focus course, a lower-level course in the same strand (written or spoken) may not be taken for credit.  (ARAB204 may not be taken after ARAB205, for example.  ARAB107 may not be taken after ARAB206, etc.)

 

COURSES REQUIRED FOR THE MAJOR

All courses are 3 credits unless noted otherwise.

 

Core sequence: 24 credits

ARAB204		Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic I	(6 credits)
ARAB205		Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic II	(6 credits)		prereq 204
ARAB304		Advanced Modern Standard Arabic I			prereq 205
ARAB305		Advanced Modern Standard Arabic II			prereq 304
ARAB206		Intermediate Egyptian Colloquial Arabic III			prereq 107
ARAB207		Intermediate Egyptian Colloquial Arabic IV			prereq 206

Electives: a minimum of 18 credits

 

A. Required Upper-level electives in Arabic (a minimum of 9 credits)

ARAB311		The Arab World Today		pre-coreq 304
ARAB312		Islamic Culture		pre-coreq 304
ARAB321		Arabic Media		pre-coreq 304
ARAB322		Commercial Arabic		pre-coreq 304
ARAB401		Readings in Arabic Literature		prereq 305
ARAB402		Arabic Translation		prereq 305
ARAB411		US-Arab Relations		prereq 305
ARAB412		Modern Arabic Literature: A Survey		prereq 305
ARAB499		Special Topics in Arabic Studies

• Other ARAB courses may be included on written approval of UG advisor.
• All prerequisites imply "or equivalent knowledge." In cases where a student has equivalent knowledge, required language-focus credits are replaced in consultation with, and with the written approval of, the UG advisor.

 B. Optional Electives in English: a maximum of 9 credits (no prereqs)

 

ARAB 251  Arabic Cinema
ARAB 252  Arabic Literature in Translation
ARAB 351  Arab Culture and Civilization   
ARAB 499  Special Topics in Arabic Studies

 

Courses in Middle Eastern Studies taught in English in other departments can be substituted with the approval of the Undergraduate advisor. 

 

Study Abroad

Students majoring in Arabic Studies are encouraged to spend a summer or a semester abroad. Credits earned toward the major during study abroad must be approved by the department prior to departure.  A maximum of 15 non-UM credits may be applied to the major.

 

 

 

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