Minor in Arabic

The minor in Arabic is for students who seek to become proficient in the Arabic language and acquire a good grasp of Arab cultural trends. Our curriculum of CAS LY courses emphasizes Modern Standard Arabic (the variety of the language understood by educated native speakers and used in media and official communications across the Arab world) while providing some exposure to the Levantine Colloquial dialects. We use the most widely taught textbook series, Al-Kitaab, supplemented with authentic materials (from menus, songs, and advertisements to social media, magazines and newspapers, poetry, short stories, and films). Graduating Arabic minors have gone on to jobs in international business, government, and nonprofits such as the Arab American Chamber of Commerce and human rights groups, and to top graduate programs in Arabic and Near-Eastern studies.

During and after their prerequisite four terms of language work (LY 111–212), Arabic minors take three to four terms of additional language courses (including colloquial Arabic and/or topic-based advanced courses) and one to two courses in Arabic literature/film/culture. If desired, they may also take one non-LY course in a relevant second language or some aspect of Arab politics or culture.

Students who wish to major in Arabic may pursue a BA in Middle Eastern and South Asian Languages & Literatures (MESALL) through the World Languages & Literatures Department, a BA in Middle East & North Africa (MENA) Studies through the Pardee School, or both. Students interested in translation are encouraged to take LY 572 Arabic Translation & Interpreting and consider electives in WLL’s MFA in Literary Translation. Arabic language and literature/film/culture courses also count for the Minor in Muslim Studies.

BU Hub

Courses taken for the Arabic minor will also satisfy BU Hub requirements in Philosophical, Aesthetic, and Historical Interpretation (AEX, PLM, HCO); Diversity, Civic Engagement, and Global Citizenship (IIC, GCI); and Communication (WRI, OSC), along with requirements in the Intellectual Toolkit (TWC, CRI, CRT).

CAS Second Language Requirement

Successful completion of CAS LY 212 Second-Year Modern Arabic 2 fulfills the College of Arts & Sciences second language requirement.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate proficiency in speaking, oral comprehension, reading, and writing of Arabic at the ACFTL Intermediate Mid level (many students will reach Intermediate High or Advanced Low) and the ability to use these skills in a range of academic and everyday situations.
• Demonstrate familiarity with the literature and film of different Arabic-speaking countries, with attention to their historical and cultural context.
• Demonstrate the ability to formulate an organized, well-supported argument in writing; write clearly and persuasively in various genres; and locate and cite effective secondary materials in writing.
• Demonstrate adequate vocabulary and sensitivity to explain and adapt to differences among Arabic-speaking cultural contexts and between Arabic-speaking and non-Arabic-speaking cultural contexts.

Prerequisites

• LY 111, LY 112, and LY 211
  OR
• equivalent placement results

Requirements

The minor in Arabic requires six courses with a grade of C or higher. With advisor’s approval, students may include up to three transfer courses from other colleges, universities, or non-BU study abroad programs. At least three courses must be taken on the Charles River Campus. Internships may not be credited toward the minor.

The six courses should include:

• Three or four advanced language courses above CAS LY 211*. These should include:
  • CAS LY 212, CAS LY 303, and LY 304 (or equivalent proficiency and two substitute courses chosen in consultation with advisor)
  • Other advanced language courses*: LY 214, 215, 411, 420, 471, or 572; may include LY 350 (if not also counted for literature)
• One or two of the following courses on Arabic or Middle Eastern literature and culture: CAS AN 327, LT 388, LY 283, LY 284, LY 350, LY 441, LY 470, LZ 381, XL 223, XL 315, XL 341, XL 342, XL 343, XL 380, XL 540.
• At most, one related non-LY CAS course to be approved by the minor advisor. This external course from within or outside WLL should focus substantially on a relevant second language (e.g., Hebrew, Persian, Turkish, French, or an African language), on linguistics (with a CAS LX number), or on the art, religion, history, politics, etc., of the Arab or Muslim world.

*Students placed higher in the language sequence, according to placement test results, should begin with the appropriate level for them.

Study Abroad

BU offers a fall and spring term Arabic Study Abroad immersion program through the CET language school in Amman. This program is open to students at any Arabic level. For summer study, students are encouraged to consult with Arabic faculty about external study abroad opportunities and scholarships in Jordan and elsewhere.