/ School of Arts & Sciences / Department of Humanities /

Bachelor of Arts in Arabic Language and Literature

Mission

The B.A in Arabic Language and Literature prepares students for careers in fields that demand clear writing and expression in fluent Arabic, the presentation of logical arguments, and the critical evaluation of the opinions of others. These fields include education, journalism, translation, and/or editing.

Program Objectives

The purpose of the Bachelor of Arts in Arabic Language and Literature program is to:

  1. Give students the interdisciplinary background and expertise in analytical and writing skills that will qualify them for career opportunities in a variety of fields such as education, journalism, publishing, translation and creative arts;
  2. Prepare students for today’s interdisciplinary graduate studies programs in Arabic literature and language, Comparative Literature, Middle Eastern Studies, Religious Studies, etc.; and
  3. Give students wishing to pursue a career in high school education a level of literary and cultural proficiency that will qualify them for jobs in Lebanon, in the region and in western countries (assuming that the students also acquire the Teaching Diploma).

Program Outcomes

Graduates in the Bachelor of Arts in Arabic Language and Literature will:

  1. Receive intensive training in the analysis of literary texts that include poetry and prose;
  2. Become fully acquainted with major literary trends in both medieval and modern times, as well as theories of Arabic rhetoric, prosody and literary criticism from classical, modern and post-modern perspectives;
  3. Acquire a high level of mastery of Arabic grammar and other branches of Arabic linguistics, such as philosophy and lexicology;
  4. Demonstrate ability to write and express the outcome of their learning in a scholarly manner; and
  5. Establish a solid ground for graduate studies in disciplines related to the culture, literature, languages and civilization of the Middle East.

Admission Requirements

To enter the major, students must meet the general university requirements.

Graduation Requirements

A total of 92 credits are required to graduate, based on:

Major Core requirements 39 credits
Emphasis requirements 13 credits
Liberal Arts Core (LAC) Curriculum 21 credits
LAC Electives 9   credits
Free Electives 10 credits
Total: 92 credits

Program Requirements

Major Core Requirements (39 credits):

  • ARA303 / Arabic Grammar and Syntax (3 cr.)
  • ARA304 / Arabic Linguistics (3 cr.)
  • ARA305 / Arabic Philology and Lexicography (3 cr.)
  • ARA310 / Classical Arabic Rhetoric and Literary Criticism (3 cr.)
  • ARA312 / Contemporary Literary Theory and Criticism (3 cr.)
  • ARA320 / Pre-Islamic and Umayyad Poetry (3 cr.)
  • ARA323 / Abbasid Poetry (3 cr.)
  • ARA324 / Andalusian Literature (3 cr.)
  • ARA325 / Classical Prose (3 cr.)
  • ARA341 / Modern Arabic Novel and Short Story (3 cr.)
  • ARA342 / Arabic Drama (3 cr.)
  • ARA343 / Modern Arabic Poetry (3cr.)
  • ARA499 / Senior Study (3 cr.)

Emphasis Requirements (12 credits):

  • ARA311 / Arabic Prosody (3 cr.)
  • ARA313 / Creative Writing (3 cr.)
  • ARA314 / Technical Arabic (3 cr.)
  • ARA326 / Arab Civilization and Culture (3 cr.)
  • ARA327 / Sufi Literature (3 cr.)
  • ARA328 / Arabic Folk Literature (3 cr.)
  • ARA329 / Travel Literature (3 cr.)
  • ARA344 / Trends in Modern Literature (3 cr.)
  • ARA488 / Topics in Arabic Language and Literature (3 cr.)

Study Plan

Year One

Fall: 16 credits

  • ENG202 / Sophomore Rhetoric (LAC courses)
  • Arabic requirement (LAC course)
  • ARA325 / Classical Prose
  • LAC Electives (6 cr.)
  • ETH201 / Moral Reasoning

Spring: 16 credits

  • ENG203 / Oral communication (LAC course)
  • LAC Elective
  • ARA342 / Arabic Drama
  • ARA303 / Arabic grammar and Syntax
  • LAC Electives (6 cr.)
  • CSC2021 / Computer Application

Year Two

Fall: 15 credits

  • ARA304 / Arabic Linguistics
  • ARA341 / Modern Arabic Novel & Short Story
  • ARA320 / Pre-Islamic & Umayyad Poetry
  • Free Elective (3 cr.)
  • LAC Elective (3 cr.)
  • PED201 / Basic Health (LAC course)

Spring: 16 credits

  • ARA310 / Classical Arabic Rhetoric & Literary Criticism
  • ARA324 / Andalusian Literature
  • ARA323 / Abbasid Poetry
  • LAC Electives (6 cr.)
  • PED— / Physical Education (LAC course required)

Year Three

Fall: 15 credits

  • ARA305 / Arabic Philosophy & Lexicography
  • ARA343 / Modern Arabic Poetry
  • ARA312 / Contemporary Literary Theory and Criticism
  • Arabic Elective (3 cr.)
  • Free Elective (3 cr.)

Spring: 15 credits

  • ARA499 / Senior Study
  • Arabic Electives (6 cr.)
  • Free Electives (4 cr.)