About

Mission Statement

The Department of Modern Languages does not offer a major in Arabic. We provide Arabic language courses for the purpose of general education and in support of other college programs.

Educated people spend their lives trying to grow in political, social and intellectual freedom. One kind of intellectual freedom requires us to break away from the notion that our native language is the most natural and apt means of expressing the full range of human experience. An education can start with the discovery that all words are purely conventional devices. They are nonetheless tools that stir emotions, articulate ideas, and establish relationships with others.

Learning a foreign language contributes to our education by providing an intimate exercise in cultural and linguistic concepts that open up new vistas on what it can mean to be human. Furthermore, foreign-language courses allow entry into the subjectivity of the target language on its own cultural and linguistic grounds, thus making possible a different and more profound redefinition of our own culture.

Reasons To Learn Arabic

Tourism

Experience the richness in cultural attractions (archaeological, historical and religious sites); the great climate for tourism: sea, sand and mountains, the miraculous wonders of the world¡­ are all reasons attracting tourists to the Arab World

Politics

Interested in working for the UN or the government? Learn Arabic! The Arab World is one of the most politically-dynamic regions in the world; with new events unfolding every day. Learn Arabic and get an insider¡¯s, first-hand, and independent view of the Arab street, writings, media, and policies.

Society and Culture

Learn the language and the culture of over 350 million people living in twenty two Arab countries. Be introduced to the diverse culture and traditions of the Arab society from Africa to Asia.

Arts and Music

Learn Arabic and get an insider¡¯s view of the rich and vast music traditions and arts of the Arab World.

History

Did you know that the Arab and Islamic world was an intellectual center for science, philosophy, medicine and education during the 8th ¨C 13th Centuries preceding the European Renaissance? Learn Arabic and learn about the rich history of the Arab world. Learn the language of the land that holds several of the most ancient civilizations of world, in Egypt, Syria, Iraq, and North Africa.

Religion

Did you know that the Arab World is the cradle of the three major monotheistic religions; Islam, Christianity and Judaism? Learn the language of the Qur¡¯an, and gain a better understanding to the role of faith in the history and in the people¡¯s every-day¡¯s life of the Arab World.

Business & Economics

Did you know that the US-Arab-World trade is around $100 billion dollars per year? Learn Arabic and learn the culture and the proper business etiquette of your future potential clients and partners in the Arab World.