The minor in Arabic language and literature aims to enhance students’ awareness and appreciation of the language, culture and literature of the Arab world. The minor is ideally suited for students in the humanities and social sciences, as well as students in applied sciences and business pursuing research or employment opportunities anywhere in the Arab world. The minor provides for a better understanding of Arabic language and literature in a global context. Furthermore, it meets the increasing regional and global demand for degree-holders proficient in Arabic language and culture.

General Rules

Students enrolling in the Arabic language and literature minor should have normally completed a minimum of 30 credits of course work and be in good academic standing.

Students seeking a minor in Arabic language and literature must successfully complete the following requirements:

• Minimum of 12 credit hours including:
  • three credit hours of minor requirements
  • a minimum of nine credit hours of minor electives
• Minimum of six credit hours of the 12 credit hours required for the minor must be taken in residence at AUS. 
• Minimum of six credit hours of the courses for the minor at or above the 300 level must be taken in residence at AUS.
• A minimum GPA of 2.00 in courses completed to satisfy the minor.

Courses used to satisfy the student’s degree program’s graduation requirements can be used towards meeting the requirements of the minor as follows: 

• at least 12 credit hours of courses used to satisfy the requirements of the minor do not double count towards meeting the core requirements, major requirements, major electives, concentration requirements, concentration electives, or general education requirements of the student’s degree program graduation requirements; 
• free elective courses can double count towards meeting the minor’s required and elective courses. 

Students pursuing two minors must meet the requirements of both minors. Courses used to satisfy the requirements of one minor can double count towards satisfying the requirements of the second minor provided that, at a minimum, 12 credit hours are not double counted. 

Minor Requirements (3 credits)

Students must successfully complete one of the following courses:

• ARA 101 Introduction to Arabic Heritage I (Arabic or English)

• ARA 102 Introduction to Arabic Heritage II (Arabic or English)

Minor Electives (minimum of 9 credits)

Students must successfully complete a minimum of three credit hours in courses from the following list:

•  ARA 101 Introduction to Arabic Heritage I (Arabic or English) (not used as a minor requirement)

• ARA 102 Introduction to Arabic Heritage II (Arabic or English) (not used as a minor requirement)

• ARA 103 Arabic Music in a Historical Context

• ARA 105 Elementary Arabic I

• ARA 106 Elementary Arabic II

• ARA 181 The life of Muhammad (Seerah)

• ARA 201 Arabic Literature in Translation

• ARA 203 Intermediate Arabic I

• ARA 204 Intermediate Arabic II

• ARA 205 The Language of the Qur’an

• ARA 206 Modern Arabic Prose

• ARA 207 Arabic Drama

• ARA 210 Composition for Native Speakers of Arabic

• ARA 240 Arab-Islamic Culture and Civilization

• ARA 280 Introduction to Hadith

• any approved 100- or 200-level ARA special topic courses. Consult the online course catalog or the online class schedule accessible via the AUS student information system to verify course classifications.

Students must successfully complete a minimum of six credit hours in courses from the following list:

• ARA 301 Arabic Prose to the End of the Abbasid Era

• ARA 303 Classical Arab/Islamic Culture

• ARA 304 Modern Arabic Poetry

• ARA 306 Arabic Travel Writings

• ARA 307 Arabs and the “other”

• ARA 308 Arabic Grammar in Use

• ARA 320 The Andalusian Symbiosis

• ARA 340 The Social Context of Arabic

• ARA 360 Arabic Linguistics

• any approved 300-level or above ARA special topic courses. Consult the online course catalog or the online class schedule accessible via the AUS student information system to verify course classifications