Description
The Arabic major focuses on the study of Arabic language, literature, history, and culture. The program will provide students with an adequate proficiency in the above-mentioned areas that can prepare them for a wide range of professional opportunities, including careers in governmental positions and jobs in education and business.
What careers can this major prepare you for?
Proficiency in Arabic presents a wide range of professional opportunity in various fields, such as economics and politics, in the United States and the Middle East. Arabic speakers are currently in great demand.
What skills are developed within this major?
Arabic majors acquire valuable transferable skills that they can apply in their future studies and careers: Intercultural competence (a set of cognitive, affective, and behavioral skills and characteristics that support effective and appropriate interaction in a variety of cultural contexts), verbal communication skills (oral presentations), written communication skills (papers, exams), information literacy, critical thinking and analytic reasoning, being detail-oriented (accuracy in oral and written language proficiency), knowledge of global issues (culture, politics, literature, cinema and current societal issues).
Placement
A student who has completed Arabic coursework in a high school or at another institution and wishes to pursue the study of the language must begin coursework for credit at a level commensurate with her/his academic background. A placement test is, therefore, required for all students with less than three years of high school Arabic or the equivalent. Students who have had three or more years of previous study must consult with the Arabic program coordinator in the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures to determine the appropriate level. As a general guideline, students who read and write Arabic fluency must begin coursework for credit at the 300-level or higher.
Retroactive Credit
Students are eligible to earn up to 16 “retroactive” credits for previous knowledge of Arabic. This policy is for students who have completed a foreign language skills course and who earned a B or better in that course. For example, if a student’s first Arabic skills course is ARB 102 and he/she receives an A or B, the student can receive credit for ARB 101 in addition to ARB 102 . Only credits at the 200-level and above may count toward the Arabic major or minor. See major requirements below. For further information please consult the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at 216-687-4646.