School of Languages and Cultures

a six photo collage of different arabic drawings

Arabic

Welcome to the homepage for the Arabic Language Program at Purdue University!

The Arabic program at SLC at Purdue offers Beginning and Intermediate Arabic language courses. Besides giving access to rich cultural and educational experiences, a command of Arabic will make you eligible for job opportunities in education, journalism, foreign service, intelligence, technology, consulting, banking, and finance. 

The program combines language learning with the study of Arab cultures. Students can take courses in  English on Arabic literature such as ARAB 230 Arabic Literature in Translation, ARAB 239 Arab Women Writers, and courses that focus on intellectual, literary, artistic, and cultural themes in Arab and Muslim cultures, such as  ARAB 587 Modern Arab Thought, ARAB 334 North African Literature and Culture, and ARAB 281 Introduction to Islamic Civilization and Culture.

Native speakers of Arabic are not eligible to enroll in ARAB 101 through ARAB 302. These courses are designed specifically for non-native speakers.  If you have any questions about the Arabic placement exam or would like more information about the Arabic program, please contact Lhousseine Guerwane.

Students in the Arabic program can use the courses toward a  Minor in Arabic and an Interdisciplinary  Minor in Islamic Studies . For information on the two minors, please contact Dr. Ahmed Idrissi Alami.

  • Minor in Arabic Language and Culture
    • Before undertaking this minor, the student must establish proficiency equivalent to Arabic Level II. Proficiency may be established by taking and passing ARAB 10200, by examination, or by other evidence acceptable to the Department.
    • Students must have a minimum GPA of B- (2.67) in courses used for the Arabic minor and may not count a course with a grade lower than C.
    • No Departmental credit beyond ARAB 10200 or credit by exam may be counted toward the minor.
  • Minor in Islamic Studies

    • As of Fall of 2015, the Religious Studies Program offers a uniquely interdisciplinary minor in Islamic Studies. Bringing together the expertise of faculty in a wide range of departments and programs, this new minor helps undergraduates to explore the history, languages, theology, culture, and politics of Islamic civilization.

    • The aim of the minor is to promote learning and understanding of student career paths, as well as to foster dialogue about all of the dynamic traditions both within and around the Muslim world.

    • Students need only 15 hours of credit in order to earn this minor.

Students can also take Arabic language and culture classes through the Morocco Study Abroad program.

Program Coordinator of Arabic Language Program | Lhousseine Guerwane

Chair for Arabic, ASL, Classics, Hebrew and Italian | Erin Moodie