Arabic is one of the world's most widely spoken languages, with over 250 million native speakers thoughout the world. Learning modern Arabic is key to understanding a rich and diverse history and culture common to Arabs from all parts of the world. Students will be introduced to the culture, history, and tradition of the Arab world. Arabic is the language and culture of the Islamic civilization, and takes the lead in being the most widely spoken language within the Semitic language family. With more than 180 million Arabic speakers world-wide, the importance of Arabic is recognized in the global village, as it is listed as one of the six official languages of the United Nations. Arabic culture and civilization have contributed tremendously to the advancement of science, mathematics, architecture, and philosophy in today’s world. These influences can be seen today, as many Arabic words have been borrowed from European languages, as well as languages in the Islamic world and vice versa. The Arab world is a major part of the global marketplace. There is increasing demand for Arabic speakers in fields such as politics, law, computer science and IT, healthcare, and education, to name a few. This program will equip students with the linguistic skills and knowledge of Arabic they need to excel in their future career paths.
Please visit the online Course Catalog for Arabic course listings: