Arabic B.A. (G.L.A.S.)
Curriculum
Major in Global Language and Area Studies: Arabic
A major in Global Language and Area Studies (G.L.A.S.), with a concentration in Arabic gives you a strong basis in the Arabic language with knowledge of the history, politics, and culture of the Arabic-speaking world. The G.L.A.S.: Arabic B.A. is a 33 credit major that begins with an introductory course, requires a minimum of 4 semesters of language, at least one area studies course, and concludes with a project-based capstone that gives you a chance to show off what you have learned about the language and the region. The major is designed to allow you to emphasize either language learning or area studies knowledge. All majors are expected to reach Novice High in Arabic on the ACTFL scale, though most will reach much higher than this, and all majors will have a working knowledge of the culture, history or religion of the Arabic-speaking world. The major has been designed so that it can be completed in as little as two years for students who begin in their junior year – at minimum, it is typically only 9 total courses.
Students with no background in Arabic should start with LAN 220 and ARB 111, and if time allows in their schedule, either PSC 221 or HIS 176/178. Students who have a background in Arabic should contact the section head.
The basic outline of the major is as follows (see bottom for course titles):
- LAN 220 – Introductory course
- 4 Semesters of Arabic Language (usually ARB 111, 112, 211, 212)
- 1 Area Studies Course (one of: ARB 251G, PSC 221, 322, 421, HIS 176, 178)
- 1 additional language or area studies course (One of: ARB 315, 415, 251G, PSC 221, 322, 421G, HIS 176, 178)
- LAN 420 – Capstone course
- Additional relevant courses to reach 33 credits.
Those interested in a concentration on Arabic language and culture could take the following sequence:
LAN 220, ARB 111, ARB 112, ARB 211, ARB 212, ARB 251G, ARB 315 (repeatable topics course), ARB 315, ARB 315/415, LAN 420
Those interested in a concentration on area studies, rather than language, could take:
LAN 220, ARB 111, ARB 112, ARB 211, ARB 212, PSC 221, PSC 322, PSC 421G, LAN 420 and optionally HIS 176/178
Majors must take at least 9 credits worth of courses in the major at the 300+ level.
A total of 120 credits is required for graduation. At least 42 of these must be in courses numbered 300 or above.
Minor in Arabic Language and Culture
The minor will give you a basic understanding of Arabic Language and Culture. To complete the minor, you must take a total of 18 credits, 12 of which must be at the 200 level or above. You must take 8 credits of Arabic language courses (usually ARB 111 and 112), one area studies course (ARB 251G, PSC 221, 322, 421, HIS 176, 178), then sufficient credits to reach the requirements of the minor (usually ARB 211, 212). The path we recommend for completing the minor is to start with both ARB 111 and PSC 221 in the fall semester, then continue with ARB 112, then ARB 211, then ARB 212, completing the minor in a total of 4 semesters.
Note that the we strongly recommend considering a major, as it is only an additional 13 credits beyond the recommended minor, which could be completed with as few as 4 additional courses.
Course Titles Key
- LAN 220: Understanding Languages in Cultural Context
- LAN 420: Senior Seminar Across Languages and Cultures
- ARB 111: Intensive Beginning Arabic I (4 credits)
- ARB 112: Intensive Beginning Arabic II (4 credits)
- ARB 211: Intensive Intermediate Arabic I (4 credits)
- ARB 212: Intensive Intermediate Arabic II (4 credits)
- ARB 315: Topics in Arabic Studies in Arabic (4 credits – repeatable with different topics)
- ARB 497: Independent Study in Arabic (variable credits)
- ARB 251G: Contemporary Culture of the Arab World
- PSC 221: Islam and Its Civilization (4 credits)
- PSC 312: Politics of the Middle East (4 credits)
- PSC 421G: Secularism and Islamism in the Modern World (4 credits)
- HIS 176: Islamic History: From the Origins of Islam to 1492 (3 credits)
- HIS 178: History of the Modern Middle East (3 credits)
- HIS 379: The Jews of Islamic Lands (3 credits)
- HIS 376: Women in Muslim Societies (3 credits)