Arabic Studies (BA)

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Offered by the Department of World Languages and Cultures , College of Arts and Sciences .

Admission to the Program

Students must be approved by the department for formal admission to the major. Language coursework may be waived if high school or other preparation warrants it. Placement will be made in consultation with a departmental advisor.

University Requirements

120 credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better
Completion of college writing requirement
Completion of university mathematics requirement

General Education Requirements

A total of ten courses, consisting of two courses from each of the five foundational areas
At least one course from Area Five: The Natural and Mathematical Sciences must include a laboratory science component
No more than two courses may be taken in the same discipline

Major Requirements

36 credit hours with grades of C or better.
- Prerequisite: completion of intermediate language level.

Course Requirements

Required (25 credit hours)

ARAB-302 Advanced Arabic I (4) (may be replaced by other 300- or 400- level courses if warranted by language proficiency)
ARAB-303 Advanced Arabic II (4) (may be replaced by other 300- or 400- level courses if warranted by language proficiency)
ARAB-304 Levantine Colloquial Arabic I (4)
ARAB-305 Levantine Colloquial Arabic II (4)
ARAB-425 Introduction to Arabic-Islamic Civilization (3)
ARAB-480 Senior Capstone: Concept of the City (3)
3 credit hours of coursework with a significant classical Arabic component as approved by advisor

3 credit hours of linguistics coursework from the following:

ANTH-225 Language and Human Experience FA1 (3)
ANTH-254 Language and Culture (3)
TESL-5xx course as approved by advisor

Electives (8 credit hours)

Remaining credit hours at the 400-level or above in Arabic studies or study abroad courses as approved by advisor

University Honors Program

To graduate with University Honors in the major through the University Honors Program, students must meet the requirements detailed on the Honors website and have been enrolled as either a first-year student between Fall 1989 and Spring 2014, or as a transfer or self-nominated student through Spring 2015. The University Honors Program should not be confused with the AU Honors Program, which begins in Fall 2014 and has separate requirements, also detailed on the Honors website.

Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees

American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its combined bachelor’s/master’s programs. See Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for more information.