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 careers. 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 a rich 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, particularly the Levantine dialect. The growth of the Arabic Studies program prompted the College of Arts & Sciences and the Department of Languages, Cultures & Linguistics to approve a minor in Arabic Studies in 2013.

Arabic & Arab World Studies

The structure of the Arabic & Arab World Studies major consists of three components of knowledge: language skills, cultural and interdisciplinary knowledge, and a culminating experience. The Arabic & Arab World Studies major is comprised of nine courses, including a culminating experience: five language courses beyond ARBC 102, and three interdisciplinary courses offered by the Arabic studies program or other disciplines such as international relations, political science, religion, philosophy, history, or art and history. In addition, students majoring in Arabic & Arab World Studies are required to complete a 300-level seminar in Arabic language or a ARBC 300-level independent study project. This requirement will fulfill the College Core Curriculum culminating experience. In total, the Arabic & Arab World Studies major will include nine courses. 

A typical major in Arabic & Arab World Studies would look like the following: 

Language Proficiency

Cultural and Interdisciplinary Courses: choose 3 (1 credit each), no more than 2 courses from one department; and only one of the three courses may be a 100-level course.

Culminating Experience

1. Complete a seminar at the ARBC 300 level (1 credit)

This seminar will focus on one of the following fields in depth: Arabic literature, culture, or linguistics. At the end of this seminar, students should submit a critical research paper with a summary in Arabic. The research paper will be presented as an oral presentation at a symposium organized by the Arabic studies program on campus.

Or

2. Complete an ARBC 300-level independent study project successfully during senior year. The project should result in a research paper combined with a summary of the project in Arabic as well as an oral presentation at a symposium organized by the Arabic studies program on campus. With the permission of the Arabic studies adviser during the second semester of junior year, students who are majoring in Arabic & Arab World Studies may pursue an honors thesis in Arabic studies.  

Satisfying the College Core Curriculum Disciplinary Depth Goals 

The fulfillment of the College Curriculum disciplinary depth goals for a bachelor in Arabic & Arab World Studies is as follows:

1. Writing within the major ARBC 200-level courses, ARBC 300-level courses, independent study project in senior year, and all W2 courses listed in the cultural and interdisciplinary courses;
2. Information literacy in ARBC 200-level courses, ARBC 300-level courses, and independent study project in senior year;
3. Formal presentation as part of the culminating experience.   

Arabic Studies - Study Abroad

The Arabic studies program at Bucknell does not yet have its own study abroad program. The Arabic studies program welcomes participants in other study abroad programs in any Arabic-speaking countries; no more than two of the study abroad courses may be counted toward fulfilling the Arabic & Arab World Studies major requirements at Bucknell. Language courses and/or courses in Arabic literature, Arabic culture, Middle Eastern history, and the politics of the Middle East may be accredited toward the major requirements. Study abroad courses toward the major must receive course approval from the director of the Arabic studies program before starting the study abroad program.

The Arabic Studies minor consists of five courses. Students must complete the sequence of the core language courses through ARBC 104, plus additional coursework to reach a total of five credits toward the minor. Additional courses may be taken in Arabic Studies or other disciplines, such as International Relations, Political Science, Religion, Philosophy, Art, and History.

Four Core courses:

One Elective course¹:

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.

The goal of the Arabic minor is to equip Bucknell students with definable linguistic proficiency in four skills: speaking, writing, listening and reading, which are in line with the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language’s (ACTFL) Standards for the Arabic language. The minor also aims to familiarize Bucknell students with the various cultural aspects of Arabic-speaking countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Students with an Arabic minor will attain at least the intermediate level of proficiency in Arabic, which will furnish them with a solid foundation in their pursuit of academic and professional careers for which this is a prerequisite.

Students minoring in Arabic Studies will be able to:

1. Achieve at least intermediate-mid level of proficiency according to ACTFL standards and guidelines (2, 4, 7, 8, 9)
2. Demonstrate proficiency in both Standard and Spoken Arabic by their ability to engage with native speakers of Arabic. An Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) test will be conducted at the end of each academic year (1, 3, 6, 7)
3. Understand customs, perspectives and gestures commonly found in various Middle Eastern cultures and compare them to their own (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
4. Implement their linguistic skills as well as their knowledge of the Arab culture outside the classroom setting (2, 3, 9)
5. Apply knowledge of other disciplines in the course of their Arabic  Studies minor, promoting exchanges of knowledge that enhance interdisciplinary education. (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9)

Numbers in parentheses reflect related Educational Goals of Bucknell University.

Faculty

Associate Professor: Martin Isleem (Director)

Visiting Assistant Professor: Dena Isleem