Program Requirements

The Arabic Flagship Program admits undergraduate students of all majors who demonstrate a unique talent for the study of Arabic and the motivation to reach the highest levels of proficiency. The AFP is fully integrated with the Department of Middle Eastern Studies’ Arabic program, but offers additional benefits to exceptional students in recognition of their dedication to excellence in Arabic:

Scholar Benefits

• Individual or small-group mentoring sessions with native or near-native speakers of Arabic
• A rich cultural program that brings in top literary talents, activists, and intellectuals from the Arab world
• Opportunities for overseas study at some of the top programs in the Middle East
• Access to internship and volunteer opportunities that allow for greater engagement with Arabic language and culture
• Financial support for both in-residence and overseas Arabic study

In exchange for the above advantages, AFP scholars are held to the highest of academic standards and must meet certain expectations to maintain AFP scholar status.

Scholar Obligations

• To pursue excellence in the study of Arabic with the goal of reaching Superior proficiency in the language
• To develop a thorough understanding of Arab culture
• To be a dedicated student of Arabic who is fully engaged both in the classroom and in extracurricular programs

Requirements

Course Requirements

• Three years of intensive language study (Intensive Arabic I through VI)
• At least one year of post-language sequence content courses on a variety of topics in Arabic language, literature, and culture
• Recommended completion of at least one dialect course (Egyptian and/or Levantine Arabic)

Extracurricular Requirements

• Participation in weekly mentoring sessions with a native or near-native speaker of Arabic
• Attendance at AFP-sponsored lectures, film screenings, workshops, and other cultural activities

Study Abroad Requirements

• Summer in Alexandria, Egypt – an optional intensive program completed after three years of domestic Arabic study (or the equivalent)
• Capstone year in Alexandria, Egypt or Damascus, Syria – a mandatory 12-month intensive program completed after fulfilling all bachelor’s degree requirements

Course Descriptions

Intensive Arabic I & II (First Year)

First Year Arabic takes students from Novice (no background) to Intermediate proficiency in Arabic in listening, speaking, reading, writing and cultural skills. The course stresses communicative skills in both standard and spoken Arabic, with careful attention to accurate and fluent listening, speaking, and writing. Special emphasis is placed on developing reading and listening strategies through the use of authentic materials from the outset. The link between language and culture is strengthened through the use of spoken idioms in a highly interactive classroom. Students should expect two hours of homework daily.

Intensive Arabic III & IV (Second Year)

Second Year Arabic guides students to Intermediate-High proficiency in reading, speaking, writing and listening. Acquiring communicative skills in both standard and colloquial remains a priority throughout the coursework. Special emphasis is placed on expanding learners’ vocabulary to enable comprehension of authentic materials. The course continues to develop reading and listening skills and deepen their understanding of Arab cultures, including enhanced exposure to colloquial Arabic. Students should expect a minimum of two hours of homework daily.

Intensive Arabic V &VI (Third Year)

Third Year Arabic aims to develop language skills at the Advanced level of proficiency and prepare students for content-based courses offered beyond Third Year. The course uses exclusively authentic texts on a wide range of culturally important topics in Arab history, literature and thought. Students continue to expand their vocabulary and fluency in both standard and colloquial Arabic and work extensively on their reading and writing skills. Students should expect two to three hours of homework daily.

Additional Course Offerings

• Levantine Arabic
• Egyptian Arabic
• Arabian Nights
• Arabo-Islamic Ode
• Contemporary Arab Cinema
• Issues in Contemporary Arab Society
• Readings in Islamic Texts
• Lebanon: Formation and Transformation
• Varieties and Registers of Arabic
• Advanced Spoken Media Arabic
• Critiques of Language & Culture

See the Middle Eastern Studies course description database for additional information on Arabic offerings.

Sample Study Track

The length of our program is dependent upon the level of Arabic students bring with them. Below is a sample study track of the path students typically follow when completing our program.