About Arabic
Studying Arabic in the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics at Florida State University gives students a strong foundation in the language with basic to advanced coursework.
The Arabic minor also participates with other departments on campus to offer an interdisciplinary undergraduate program in Middle Eastern Studies. MES students study the cultures of the Middle East from ancient times to the present in addition to the languages of the region – and are well positioned to seek employment in or relating to the Middle East.
UNDERGRADUATE
Arabic language courses can be used to fulfill requirements for the interdisciplinary Middle Eastern Studies program and the Arabic minor; they satisfy the Arts and Sciences language requirement.
MES Major
The participating departments (anthropology, art history, classics, economics, history, modern languages, political sciences, public administration and religion) offer an interdisciplinary undergraduate program in Middle Eastern Studies. Coursework includes a 15 hour language requirement in Arabic or Hebrew.
MES Minor
The Middle Eastern Studies minor is concerned with the customs of the Middle East from ancient times to the present. Utilizing the resources of a number of departments and programs, it allows the student to study the region from an interdisciplinary perspective. No more than eight semester hours of language courses may be counted toward the minor.
Arabic Minor
The minor requires 12 semester hours from Arabic language courses numbered above ARA 1121. No course taken for the minor may be used for any university language requirement. A list of approved courses may be obtained from the departmental undergraduate office, 364 DIF. A minimum grade of "C" must be earned for all courses taken for the minor (no S/U grades will apply). Directed Individual Study (DIS) hours are not applicable to the minor without prior approval from the Arabic advisor.
Contact
Director and Advisor
To view current undergraduate Arabic courses and descriptions, visit the College of Arts and Sciences Bulletin and view courses with prefixes ARA and ABT.
The following course is also available to students interested in Arabic:
- IDS 3540 Through An Arabic Lens: The Intersection of Film and Culture
Students at Florida State University have several ways to get involved through the Arabic program in the Department of Modern Languages, its affiliated Middle East Center, and student-led organizations.
Arabic Division Outreach Program
The aim of the Arabic Outreach Program is to reach out to local elementary and middle schools in order to host educational presentations and activities dedicated to teaching students about cultural diversity in the Middle East and North Africa. The program also teaches young students the Arabic language as an introduction to a foreign language. The Arabic Outreach Program strives to carry out activities on campus, and within the community, to give the local public a sense of the diversity and humanity of the Middle East and North Africa.
Contact the Program Director Dr. Zeina Schlenoff to learn more.
ARAB STUDENT UNION
This organization connects Arab students at FSU with each other to form a community where they meet other people with similar experiences and backgrounds in order to elevate their sense of belonging here.
ARABIC HONOR SOCIETY
The Arabic Honor Society is a student organization that aims to recognize students who have maintained excellent academic performance studying the Arabic language, its culture, and people at Florida State University. It promotes excellent scholarship and creates a safe space where students can exchange ideas, thoughts, and achievements regarding the Arabic language in particular and the Middle East in general.
LEBANESE SOCIAL ORGANIZATION
LSO is an organization that brings together Lebanese students at Florida State University, their friends and families. It aims to increase awareness of Lebanese culture, customs, traditions, history and language.
Additional Resources
Find information from the Middle East Center on work and study abroad, grants and fellowships, Middle Eastern film, and language resources.