International Letters and Cultures (Arabic Studies) (BA)
The BA program in international letters and cultures with a concentration in Arabic studies provides critical and cultural diversity in advanced Arabic language and literature that enriches ASU students' undergraduate experience; helps them gain a broad knowledge and understanding of the culture, literature and traditions of the vast Arabic-speaking world; and prepares them for the job market. The Arabic studies concentration benefits students interested in academic research and careers in public and diplomatic service as well as in national security. This concentration complements existing degree programs in the School of International Letters and Culture and enhances studies in social science disciplines such as political science and global studies, and in humanities fields including anthropology, history, philosophy and religious studies.
ASU students of all levels, interests, and majors can enhance their ASU experience and career opportunities through a minor or certificate in Arabic studies. The minor, certificate, and individual courses are offered through the ASU Classics and Middle Eastern Studies program within the School of International Letters and Cultures.
Arabic Studies Certificate
The certificate in Arabic studies provides undergraduate and graduate students with skills that will enable and qualify them to communicate effectively in Arabic. Simultaneously, students gain a broad knowledge and understanding of the culture, literature and traditions of the vast Arabic-speaking world. The certificate provides critically needed educational and cultural diversity that will enrich students' experience and prepare them for life as employees and employers with an added advantage the program gives them in the job market, given the demonstrably high need for graduates with Arabic knowledge. Learn more.
Arabic Studies Minor
The minor in Arabic studies provides students with instruction in Modern Standard Arabic as well as Arabic culture and literature. Students who successfully complete the prescribed coursework will be able to effectively communicate in Arabic and interact with native speakers of Arabic. Literature courses expand students' knowledge in Arabic, Middle East, and Islamic culture and civilization. Students of all academic disciplines doing research or seeking employment in areas related to the Middle East or parts of the Arab world will find the minor in Arabic highly beneficial. Learn more.
Other languages
The ASU School for International Letters and Cultures also offers additional languages, such as Farsi (Persian), Hebrew, Hindi-Urdu, Indonesian, and Turkish that are significant to Arab, Islamic, and Middle Eastern communities. Learn more.
- Modern Hebrew is one of two official languages of Israel (the other being Arabic), which is home to a diverse representation of Jews, Muslims, Christians, and others, including a 20% Muslim population. Modern and premodern Hebrew are studied by Jews and students of Judaism, Israel, theology, and the Middle East.
- Farsi, also known as Persian, is the most widely spoken member of the Iranian branch of the Indo-Iranian languages, a subfamily of the Indo-European languages. It is the language of Iran (formerly Persia) and is also widely spoken in Afghanistan, in an archaic form, Tajikistan, the Pamir Mountain region, and Iran, and among significant populations in the Persian Gulf and the United States.
- Hindi is the official language of India, home to ancient civilizations, historic trade routes, and vast empires, including a significant Muslim population and Islamic history.
- Urdu is the official language to Pakistan and is similar to Hindi other than that it is written in the Arabic script.
- Indonesian is the national language of Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country with over 238 million people and the largest Muslim population in the world.
- Turkish is the official language of the Republic of Turkey. With over 70 million native speakers, Turkish is the most widely spoken language in the Turkic language family. Outside of Turkey, Turkish is also spoken in Bulgaria, Macedonia, Northern Cyprus, Greece, and other European countries, like Germany, where many Turkish workers and their families live.
Faculty
Learn more about ASU Arabic and other language and culture faculty.