Arabic Studies (ARBC)
From a global perspective, the study of the Arabic language has become increasingly important and Arabic speakers are in great demand in certain career opportunities. Approximately 300 million people speak Arabic, making it one of the world's most widely spoken languages. It is the official language of 25 countries, as well as one of the official languages of the United Nations. Moreover, being the sacred language of the Qur'an, Arabic honors its richness and ancient heritage that is culturally vibrant today.
Since 2006, the Arabic Studies program at Bucknell University has been targeting the acquisition of the Arabic language and promoting familiarity with the world's Arab cultures, literatures and histories. Language courses offered at Bucknell consist of beginning and intermediate Arabic courses in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and Spoken Arabic, practically the Levantine dialect. The growth of the Arabic Studies program prompted the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics to approve a minor in Arabic Studies in 2013.
The Arabic Studies minor consists of six courses.
Four Core courses:
| ARBC 101 | Beginning Arabic I | 1 |
| ARBC 102 | Beginning Arabic II | 1 |
| ARBC 103 | Intermediate Arabic I | 1 |
| ARBC 104 | Intermediate Arabic II | 1 |
Two Elective courses1:
| ARBC 201 | Intermediate Arabic Conversation I | .5 |
| ARBC 202 | Intermediate Arabic Conversation II | .5 |
| ARBC 203 | Unveiling the Hijab's Culture | 1 |
| ARBC 250 | Topics in Arabic Studies | 1 |
| ARBC 301 | Advanced Topics in Arabic | .5-1 |
| ARTH 221 | Visual Cultures of the Mediterranean 1 - 1000 CE | 1 |
| ARTH 275 | Art and Architecture of the Islamic World | 1 |
| CLAS 228 | Ancient Near Eastern History | 1 |
| HIST 100 | Thinking About History (The Question of Palestine) | 1 |
| HIST 194 | History of Modern Middle East | 1 |
| HIST 229 | Topics in American Intellectual History (Iran-Turkey: Islam/The Secular) | 1 |
| HIST 290 | Europe Imperialism and Colonialism | 1 |
| HIST 399 | Non-western History (U.S. in the Middle East since 1945) | 1 |
| IREL 229 | Middle East Conflict and Revolution | 1 |
| IREL 381 | Arab-Israeli Conflict, Peace Process | 1 |
| RELI 110 | Introduction to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam | 1 |
| RELI 201 | Islam | 1 |
| PHIL 267 | Islamic Philosophy | 1 |
| POLS 287 | United States and the Middle East | 1 |
| POLS 289 | The Arab-Israeli Conflict | 1 |
| POLS 224 | Government and Politics of the Middle East | 1 |
| POLS 266 | Nationalism East and West | 1 |
| 1 | Two half-credit courses are considered as one course toward fulfilling the minor requirements. |
Arabic minors are strongly encouraged to participate in approved study abroad programs in any Arabic-speaking country. No more than two of the study abroad courses can count toward fulfilling the Arabic minor requirements. Arabic minors who opt to apply for an Arabic study abroad program must receive course approval from the director of the Arabic Studies Program prior to starting the program.
Students interested in the minor should consult Professor Martin Isleem for the appropriate sequencing of courses.
Courses
ARBC 101. Beginning Arabic I. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3,Other:1
Beginning language skills. Practice in listening, speaking, reading and writing. Elementary grammar. Introduction to Arabic culture.
ARBC 102. Beginning Arabic II. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3,Other:1
Continuation of Arabic language skills. Practice in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Prerequisite: ARBC 101 or equivalent.
ARBC 103. Intermediate Arabic I. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3,Other:1
A continuation and review of basic grammar, emphasizing all four language skills and culture. Prerequisite: ARBC 102 or equivalent.
ARBC 104. Intermediate Arabic II. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3,Other:1
Review of basic grammar with an emphasis on all four language skills and culture. Prerequisite: ARBC 103 or equivalent.
ARBC 105. Intensive Intermediate I. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:4,Other:1
Continuation of Arabic language skills. Practice in listening, speaking, reading and writing. Prerequisite: ARBC 101 or equivalent.
ARBC 201. Intermediate Arabic Conversation I. .5 Credits.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:2
Concentration on development of speaking skills. Conducted entirely in Arabic by native speaker. Prerequisite: ARBC 102.
ARBC 202. Intermediate Arabic Conversation II. .5 Credits.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:2
Concentration on development of speaking skills. Conducted entirely in Arabic by native speaker. Prerequisite: ARBC 201.
ARBC 203. Unveiling the Hijab's Culture. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
An introductory cultural course to various aspects of the Muslim and Arab world to get a deep look at the Middle Eastern culture and customs.
ARBC 250. Topics in Arabic Studies. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Study of topics in Arabic language, cultures and societies. Prerequisite: ARBC 102 or equivalent.
ARBC 301. Advanced Topics in Arabic. .5-1 Credits.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:Varies; Repeatable
Advanced Arabic independent study under the direction and supervision of an instructor. Topics to be selected by the student in consultation with the instructor. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
Faculty
Assistant Professor: Martin Isleem (Director)
Visiting Assistant Professor: Hilda Mokh
Teaching Assistant: Dena Isleem