Arabic, B.A.

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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.

Admission to Major

Completion of ARB 102 or equivalent

Hours Required for Degree

Minimum hours required for degree: 121

Minimum hours required for major: 33

Major-Field Requirements

The Arabic major consists of the successful completion of 33 credit hours above the 100 level. No course with a grade below “C” may be counted toward a major in Arabic. The required courses are distributed as follows:

Core Courses (20 Credits)

1. 17 credits in Arabic language skills beyond the 100 level:

2. 3 credits in Arabic language and literature from the following list:

ARB 371 - Introduction to Classical Arabic Literature
ARB 372 - Introduction to Modern Arabic Literature
ARB 402 - Advanced Arabic Grammar & Writing
ARB 393 - Special Topics in Arabic
ARB 493 - Special Topics in Arabic
Note: Any of ARB 371, ARB 372, and ARB 402 not taken to fulfill the core requirement in Arabic language and literature may be taken as an elective.

Electives (12 credits)

Select from the following list:

Capstone Project (1 Credit)

The capstone, which takes the form of a final project, is a requirement that all students have to take in order the successfully complete the Arabic major requirements. Through the capstone project students will demonstrate an adequate level of intellectual maturity, critical thinking, and engaged learning. Specifically, the successful completion of a capstone project is indicative of proficiency in Arabic language skills and culture and students’ readiness to transform knowledge that they accumulated into practical and tangible applications, such as community issues.

ARB 404 - Capstone Project

Arabic Study Abroad Program

Study abroad will constitute a significant avenue to attain a higher language proficiency and knowledge of the culture. Majors and minors are encouraged to participate in Arabic study abroad programs, either in an individual or a faculty-led setting. Students may earn up to 10 credits (depending on the time period and the number of hours). Students have to receive the approval of the Center for International Studies and Programs (CISP), the Arabic program, and the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures before embarking on an Arabic study abroad program. Students, who want to participate in a faculty-led study abroad program have to complete at least ARB 102 .