Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages with a Concentration in Arabic George Mason University

The Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages prepares students for teaching, graduate study in languages and cultures, research, professional work, as well as service in government, nonprofits, or business. Our graduates are particularly valued for their multilingual and cross-cultural knowledge.

The concentration in Arabic has an emphasis on developing strong language skills, including literacy and oral communication, along with an in-depth understanding of modern Arabic culture and society. Students concentrating in Arabic are expected to gain fluency in Modern Standard Arabic and a working knowledge of at least one Arabic dialect. Additionally, students will graduate with a strong background in Arab intellectual history, literature, and culture.

Double majors in a foreign language and another subject should plan a program of study with advisors from both disciplines and follow the steps outlined in AP.5.3.3 Second Bachelor's Degree.

• Analyze and write at an advanced level of Arabic grammar.
• Create formal essays consisting of the introductory clear thesis, supportive paragraphs, and conclusion on a wide range of topics including social, political, cultural, literary, and religious subject matter.
• Writings reflect written proficiency to communicate with native speakers throughout the Middle East in Modern Standard Arabic and familiarity with core syntactical, morphological, and diagnostic aspects of writing in formal Arabic.

The BA in foreign languages prepares students for teaching careers at the secondary school level, work in government, security, non-profits, international business, and graduate study and research in languages.

Total credits: minimum 120

In addition to the other college and university requirements for a degree, students pursuing this degree complete a 30-credit concentration.

Concentration in Arabic

The concentration in Arabic has an emphasis on developing strong language skills, including literacy and oral communication, along with an in-depth understanding of modern Arabic culture and society. Students concentrating in Arabic are expected to gain fluency in Modern Standard Arabic and a working knowledge of at least one Arabic dialect. Additionally, students will graduate with a strong background in Arab intellectual history, literature, and culture.

Students pursuing a concentration in Arabic must complete a minimum of 30 credits in Arabic at the 300 level and above, each with a minimum grade of C. Only two courses (6 credits) taught in English may be applied to the major. Students are highly encouraged to participate in studying abroad.

A minor in Arabic is also offered, which can easily and effectively be combined with majors in other disciplines, such as global affairs, international relations, government, journalism, philosophy, and religion.

Core Courses

Select eight courses from the following: 24

• ARAB 300 Advanced Arabic
• ARAB 330 Reading and Conversation I
• ARAB 331 Reading and Conversation II
• ARAB 350 Media Arabic I (Written Media)
• ARAB 351 Media Arabic II (Spoken Media) (Mason Core)
• ARAB 355 Advanced Arabic Media: Debates Context
• ARAB 370 Arabic for the Professions
• ARAB 375 Study Abroad - Arab World
• ARAB 380 Arabic Dialects
• ARAB 390 Translation Methods: Arabic to English
• ARAB 420 Survey of Arabic Literature
• ARAB 430 Advanced Arabic Grammar
• ARAB 440 Topics in Arabic Religious Thought and Texts (Mason Core)
• ARAB 498 Independent Study

Electives

Select two courses from the following: 6

• ARAB 325 Major Arab Writers/Stories (Mason Core)
• ARAB 360 Topics in Arabic Cultural Production
• ARAB 365 Black and Minority Cultures in Arabic Literature
• ARAB 470 Special Topics in Modern Arabic Studies
• ANTH 1
• ARTH 1
• ENGH 1
• GOVT 1
• HIST 1
• PHIL 1
• RELI 1
• SOCI 1

1Requires approval of the advisor and the director; relevant courses only.