The Arabic Minor provides students with an attractive mixture of introductory, intermediate, and advanced classes that focus on the Arabic-speaking world, both globally and in the United States. Studies include language, culture, literature, and linguistics content to provide a broad spectrum of Arabic knowledge. The Minor is focused on presenting the Arab world outside of the political turmoil and stereotyping associated with it, privileging instead how Arab voices interpret their own civilizations through fields in the humanities.
In addition to content, students in this Minor will acquire durable and transferrable skills essential for the 21st century. Classes focus on developing creative and critical thinking abilities, effective written and oral communication, and deep intercultural understanding. Students will learn to identify and avoid logical fallacies and cognitive biases, and exercise careful human judgment to successfully engage in creative problem-solving. They will be able to express ideas clearly and effectively across a wide range of audiences, as well as collaborate with diverse partners. The Arabic Minor fosters intercultural understanding in our students to position them for success in localized, globalized, and international workforces.
For more information, check the Requirements tab in this catalog entry, visit https://mlc.ua.edu/, or come to 200 B. B. Comer Hall.
Admission into the Minor
Students are expected to formally declare a minor by completing the Change of Major/Minor Application online under the Student tab of myBama.
The Arabic minor requires 18 hours between required courses and electives. This includes courses in Arab language and proficiency (12 credit hours to achieve advanced intermediate proficiency), as well as elective classes (6 credit hours). Electives are divided into two categories: Linguistics and Cultural/Literary. In order to complete the minor, each student is required to take an elective from each category.
Minors must maintain a GPA average of 2.0. A minimum of six (6) hours at the 300 or 400 level must be earned in residence at The University of Alabama. Other requirements, including Grade Point Average, Upper-level Residency, and other general BCAS requirements can be found here.
| Code and Title | Hours |
| Intermediate Arabic I
and Intermediate Arabic II | |
| Advanced Arabic I
and Advanced Arabic II | |
| |
| Advanced Arabic Composition I | |
| Intro to Arabic Linguistics |
| Arabic Digital Literacy |
| Arabic Conversation I |
| Islamic Arabic |
| Arabic Poetry and Melody |
| Media Arabic |
| Arabic Conversation II |
| |
| The Arabian Nights | |
| Arab Cultures |
| Intro to Modern Arabic Lit |
| Women in the Arab World |
| Total Hours | 18 |
In consultation with their advisor in Arabic, one but not more than two courses on the Arab world offered in other departments may be chosen to count towards the minor requirements.
The required/eligible courses are typically taught in the Departments of Modern Languages but other cross lists may appear later with further course development campus wide. International courses and internship courses can be reviewed and considered towards the minor. Please contact program director Dr. Safa Elnaili.
