2023–2024 Bulletin Addendum Amman Study Abroad

Offered during the fall and spring semesters, Amman Study Abroad is a semester-length opportunity that allows students to travel to Amman, Jordan, and complete 15–18 credits through a combination of courses offered by partner study abroad program provider CET Academic Programs. In addition, students will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of curricular and cocurricular experiential activities that will provide for a deeper understanding of Jordan’s unique history and culture—all while learning Arabic and the Jordanian dialect.

All coursework will be subject to review and approval in accordance with BU college/school and departmental policy.

Coursework

Amman Study Abroad, offered in cooperation with CET Academic Programs, will provide courses at CET’s center. Students will take two core language courses and two to three 3-credit electives for a total of 15 to 18 credits. The core language courses are front-loaded and then taper off, and Arabic electives start later in the semester with the intention of students having a better understanding of the language. There are content courses available in English and Arabic, making it possible for novice Arabic learners to have a full course load and complete courses in other disciplines required for their degree programs.

Course Offering Samples

MODERN STANDARD ARABIC

• Novice Modern Standard Arabic
• Novice High Modern Standard Arabic
• Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic
• Intermediate High Modern Standard Arabic
• Advanced Modern Standard Arabic
• Advanced High Modern Standard Arabic

JORDANIAN DIALECT

• Novice Low Jordanian Dialect
• Novice Jordanian Dialect
• Novice High Jordanian Dialect
• Intermediate Jordanian Dialect
• Advanced Levantine Dialect

LANGUAGE LEARNING ELECTIVES

Language level will be determined on-site via placement assessment.

• Living Language: Jordanian Dialect in Popular Culture
• Living Language: Modern Standard Arabic in Practice

ARABIC CONTENT COURSES

• Modern History of Conflict in the Middle East: Influences on the Arab Spring
• Current Issues in Arabic Media
• Jordanian Society
• Arab & Islamic Culture and Economics in the Middle East (also taught in English)
• Trappings of Legitimacy: Political Parties and Religious Rhetoric
• Culture, Politics, and Religion in Arab Theater (also taught in English)
• Islamic Shar’ia: Qur’an, Hadith, and the ‘Ulama
• Marginalization & Discrimination in the Arab World: Changing Perspectives

ENGLISH CONTENT COURSES

• Art of Translation
• Arab & Islamic Culture and Economics in the Middle East (also taught in Arabic)
• Refugees, Forced Migration, and Integration in Jordan
• Culture, Politics, and Religion in Arab Theater (also taught in Arabic)
• Ideology vs. Faith: Roots of Religious Conflict
• The United States in the Arab World

FIELD-BASED ELECTIVES

• Internship Bridging Theory and Practice*
• Directed Research

*Internship placement and course provide 3 credits. Class and work hours will add up to a minimum total of 150 hours.

Standard Study Abroad eligibility criteria apply, in addition to any college/school criteria that may exist. Study Abroad admissions requirements can be found online at bu.edu/abroad/apply.

Per CET Academic Programs’ policy, a 3.0 or higher GPA is preferred, and admissions decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. Students with lower GPAs are still encouraged to apply.

Learning Outcomes

• Develop an awareness of cultural differences and an understanding of culture’s role in shaping beliefs and practices.
• Develop new perspectives on one’s own culture and an ability to think critically about one’s own values and beliefs.
• Demonstrate a knowledge of the host country as a culture and society and gain an understanding of the historical and current realities of the host country.