Arabic Certificate

Students working toward an undergraduate degree at UC as well as non-BA students (e.g., graduate students, non-students) can earn a certificate in Arabic Language and Culture; a BA proposal is under consideration.

Degree Program Requirements

The certificate in Arabic Language and Culture requires 23 credit hours in addition to completion—or exemption from—a year-long sequence in elementary Arabic. A proposal for a BA degree is under consideration.

Pre-Requisite Elementary Language Requirement

This sequence is required prior to enrollment in the certificate program and does not count toward the certificate. It can be completed by means of a placement test or evaluation of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills by the Program Coordinator, or by taking the following courses:

  • ARAB 1001. Elementary Literary Arabic (5 credits)
  • ARAB 1002. Elementary Literary Arabic (5 credits)

(Note: This sequence may also be used towards fulfillment of the College's foreign language requirement.)

Intermediate Language Courses (10 credits)

  • ARAB 2001. Intermediate Literary Arabic (5 credits)
  • ARAB 2002. Intermediate Literary Arabic (5 credits)

Culture Course (3 credits)

  • ARAB 3010. Culture of Contemporary Arab Society(3 credits)

Arabic 3010 introduces students to general aspects of Arabic culture, literature and linguistics, and is best taken as early as possible, but it is not a prerequisite to any of the courses required for the certificate. This course is taught in English and may be taken in any sequence and concurrently with any of the series of language courses.

Electives (9 credits)

Three courses may be selected from among the following, according to the student's interest and in consultation with the coordinator:

  • ARAB 2050 Colloquial Arabic (3 credits)
  • ARAB 3001 Third-Year Literary Arabic (3 credits)
  • ARAB 3002 Third-Year Literary Arabic (3 credits)
  • ARAB 3011 Arab-American Culture (3 credits)
  • ARAB 3020 Modern Arabic Literature in Translation (3 credits)
  • ARAB 3021 Classical Arabic Literature in Translation (3 credits)
  • ARAB 3022. Arab Women Novelists (3 credits)
  • ARAB 3023 Love and Sexuality in Arabic Literature (3 credits)
  • ARAB 4010 Literary Arabic Grammar (3 credits)
  • ARAB 5011 History of the Arabic Language (3 credits)
  • FREN 3085 Francophone Cultures: Africa (3 credits)
  • FREN 4042 Topics in Francophone Literature and Culture (3 credits)
  • FREN 7087 Littérature du Maghreb (4 credits)
  • GEOG 2031 Geography of the Middle East (3 credits)
  • POL 2071 Politics of the Middle East (3 credits)
  • HIST 1007 Middle Eastern History I (3 credits)
  • HIST 1008 Middle Eastern History II (3 credits)
  • HIST 6023 US and Middle East Immigration and Refugees (3 credits)
  • JUDC 3030 Jews and Islam (3 credits)
  • JUDC 3067 Jews and Muslims in the Modern Mediterranean (3 credits)

Arabic Certificate Capstone (1 credit)

While Arabic 3010 serves as an introduction to Arabic language, literature and culture, the capstone course, Arabic 4081, is required as a research project for graduating seniors that permits them to analyze common readings, to reflect on methodological issues and to complete a manageable independent research project. The Capstone 4081 gives them a challenging opportunity to build upon the knowledge of the Arab world that they have developed through their experience in the Arabic language and culture program. This one-hour credit may be attached to any of the 3000-level literature or culture courses.

The Coordinator encourages students to take Arabic Studies courses—especially language courses at any level in self-paced, semi-intensive or intensive summer and/or full-year programs—offered at any of the many reputable American (for example, Georgetown University, Washington DC), European (for example, SOAS, London) and overseas institutions. We also recommend that qualified students seek available funding—for example, from the UC Office of International Programs, the Taft Foundation, and federal agencies—to enroll in an Arabic study abroad program, for example, in Dubai, Cairo, Damascus, Beirut, Jerusalem, Fez, Amman or Sanaa. The coordinator will assist students in identifying and applying to institutions where courses are offered that fulfill and enrich the programmatic requirements of the Arabic Certificate.

For more information, contact Professor Frederic Cadora (513-556-1039).