McMicken College of Arts & Sciences
Center for Area Studies and Programs

Certificate in Arabic Language and Culture

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.

Degree Program Requirements

The certificate in Arabic Language and Culture requires 34 credit hours in addition to completion - or exemption from - a year-long sequence in elementary Arabic.

1. 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:
Arabic 101. Elementary Literary Arabic (5 credits)
Arabic 102. Elementary Literary Arabic (5 credits)
Arabic 103. Elementary Literary Arabic (5 credits)
(Note: This sequence may also be used towards fulfillment of the College's foreign language requirement.)

2. Intermediate Language Courses (15 credits)

Arabic 201. Intermediate Literary Arabic (5 credits)
Arabic 202. Intermediate Literary Arabic (5 credits)
Arabic 203. Intermediate Literary Arabic (5 credits)

3. Literature and Culture Courses (9 credits)

Arabic 310. Modern Arabic Culture (3 credits)
Arabic 311. Arab-American Culture and Literature (3 credits)
Arabic 320. Modern Arabic Literature (3 credits)

Arabic 310 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. (An Honors version has already been approved and will be offered Fall 2006.)

4. Electives (9 credits)

Three courses may be selected from among the following, according to the student’s interest and in consultation with the coordinator:
Arabic 321. Classical Arabic Literature (3 credits)
Arabic 322. Arab Women Novelists (3 credits)
French 396. Tradition, Struggle for Independence and Gender Roles (3 credits)
Geography 231. Geography of the Middle East (3 credits)
Political Science 271. Government and Politics of the Middle East I (3 credits)
Political Science 272. Government and Politics of the Middle East II (3 credits)
Political Science XXX. The Arab-Israeli Conflict (3 credits)
History 170. Middle East/North Africa History 660-1258 (3 credits)
History 171. Middle East/North Africa History 1258-1850 (3 credits)
History 172: Middle East/North Africa History 1850-Present (3 credits)
History 570. War and Peace in the Middle East (3 credits)
History 571. Media in and about the Middle East (3 credits)
History 572. Film and the Middle East (3 credits)
History 400. Junior Topics Seminar (3 credits)
Judaic Studies 330. Jews and Islam (3 credits)
Judaic Studies 372. Israeli Cinema (3 credits)

5. Capstone Seminar (1 credit)

While Arabic 310 serves as an introduction to Arabic language, literature, and culture, the capstone course, Arabic 481, 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 481 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 300-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.