Arabic

The Duke Arabic program develops speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills through experiential learning and diverse media. The program guides students from Arabic's beginning levels through its advanced upper levels, offering students interested in exploring political, literary, religious, historical, archival, and media sources in their original language. It promotes oral communication, cultural comprehension, and academic study through rigorous and thorough acquisition of written and spoken Arabic. Program courses are experientially-focused and multi-disciplinary. Higher-level courses include Service-Learning components, where students work directly with native speakers to produce creative and rigorous multimedia projects. Students are encouraged to participate in summer and semester study abroad activities to increase their language fluency and cultural competency. While colloquial Arabic is being integrated into the program curriculum, studying abroad is an invaluable way for students to deepen their understanding of the Arab World and its diverse dialects and cultures. 

Duke’s new Arts and Science curriculum seeks to develop connections, curiosity, and humility through an emphasis on interdisciplinarity. This curriculum includes a rigorous language requirement for Trinity students that can be fulfilled through three courses in a single language sequence, two courses at the 300-level or higher, or one course at the 300-level or higher and two courses in another sequence. The Arabic Program encourages students interested in studying Arabic to consider completing at least three language courses. By following a sequence within the Arabic Program’s course offerings, students will also develop close relationships with instructors, many of whom direct study abroad programs and other opportunities for practical language application or research across disciplines. 

 

Students pursuing Asian and Middle Eastern Studies majors and minors with an Arabic concentration should regularly consult academic requirements on the AMES requirements webpage.

Duke Arabic Placement Guidelines

Duke Arabic Placement Exam Procedure 

Placement in an Arabic language class follows the AMES department placement policy, which adheres to Duke's Trinity College of Arts & Sciences foreign language requirement.

These guidelines are to help you choose an Arabic language course that matches your proficiency. Please note that self-placement is probationary until the last day of drop and add. Faculty reserve the right to request students to change classes if it is determined that a more appropriate level is suitable for a student. If you have any Arabic experience (including but not limited to formal study) prior to Duke or abroad as an undergraduate, you must take a placement test. Placement test scores are valid for 6 months.

The following scenarios will help you place yourself in an appropriate Arabic course at Duke and begin your journey with the Arabic language.  

I have no experience with Modern Standard Arabic… 

  • Enroll in any of the Elementary Arabic courses (ARABIC 101); freshmen are recommended to enroll in ARABIC 101 – Elementary Arabic: Section 001 if their schedule permits.  

I have some experience with Arabic… 

  • Fill out the Arabic Department Placement survey on Canvas. Please email sierra.remington@duke.edu to be added to the placement exam Canva site.
  • Read the detailed course descriptions of the Arabic courses offered at Duke below.
  • After filling out the survey, you will complete a 1-hour online asynchronous placement exam. This exam will assess reading and writing skills in Arabic and does not require any preparation.
  • After receiving the results of your exam, you will be able to enroll in the course of your recommended placement.

Placement Exam Details 

  • The placement exam will be administered online through Canvas.
  • Please be sure to take the exam in a quiet place and have headphones on hand to use for listening exercises.
  • Be prepared to type in Arabic during the exam; if you are unsure of how to add the keyboard, you can follow these instructions.

 

Typically Offered Courses

Arabic 101: Elementary Arabic I

Arabic 102: Elementary Arabic II

The 100-level introduces students to the Arabic alphabet, basic grammar and vocabulary, and basic conversational skills. Students use the Alif Baa textbook for introductory Arabic and Al-Kitaab Part 1 (2nd edition), covering chapters 1-6 in Arabic 101 and chapters 7-13 in Arabic 102.

 

Arabic 203: Intermediate Arabic I

Arabic 203 targets intermediate level proficiency in Modern Standard Arabic though a communicative approach emphasizing daily life themes and essential grammatical structures. Assessment includes quizzes, writing, oral presentations, exams, and an OPI. Active participation and regular homework are crucial. Covers Chapters 14-20 in 'Al-Kitaab Fi Ta’allum Al-‘arabiyya Part 1' (2nd edition) and supplementary material provided by the instructor.  

Arabic 204: Intermediate Arabic II

Arabic 204 is a high intermediate course that focuses primarily on Modern Standard Arabic while also introducing an Arabic dialect of students' choice (Egyptian, Levantine or Moroccan) through media resources and the Aflaam site. Chapters 1-5 in 'Al-Kitaab Fii Ta’allum Al-‘arabiyya Part 2' (2nd edition) are covered targeting mastery of grammatical concepts, such as verb tenses and participles while also expanding students’ vocabulary.  Assessment comprises quizzes, writing, oral presentations, mid-term a final exam, and an Oral Proficiency Interview in Arabic.

 

Arabic 305: Advanced Arabic I

Arabic 305 is the fifth course in the Arabic language sequence at Duke University, designed for students who have completed Arabic 204 or its equivalent. The course is proficiency-based and covers all four language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. 

Chapters 6-10 in 'Al-Kitaab Fii Ta’allum Al-‘arabiyya Part 2' (2nd edition) are covered, engaging students with a wide range of authentic texts and media, including classical Arabic literature, podcasts, and documentaries. Students will explore key cultural and intellectual themes such as Orientalism and the historical contributions of Arab and Islamic civilization.  

Arabic 306: Advanced Arabic II

This sixth-semester Arabic course focuses on building advanced language skills through reading, writing, discussion, and creative work. Students will read the  Mawsim al-Hijrah ilā al-Shamāl - Season of Migration to the North novel, and explore a variety of modern and classical texts, including Quranic Arabic among other authentic materials. Resources used in this class include podcasts and films in Modern Standard Arabic and spoken dialects.  

Semester Study Abroad

Studying abroad is an important component of the Duke Arabic program. Students can choose from a variety of Duke-approved or Duke-administered study abroad programs. Some currently offered programs are listed below. Students may also petition programs that are not already Duke-approved. See the Duke Global Education Office for more information about petitioning for a program. When studying abroad, students must submit course syllabi to the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies Department and follow certain guidelines to receive Arabic and/or Foreign Language credit. Please note that if students wish for study abroad credit to fulfill Trinity Foreign Language requirements, they must complete a language placement test with the language program after returning from study abroad. 

 

Duke-approved study abroad programs:

The Middlebury School in Jordan: one or two semesters of study in Amman, Jordan, operated at the University of Jordan. Program includes a stay with a host family, required community service, and cultural excursions. Requires four semesters of Arabic experience or equivalent.

The American University in Cairo: one or two semesters of study in Cairo, Egypt. No previous Arabic experience required. Because Egypt is on Duke’s Restricted Regions List, a successful petition to the Duke Global Travel Support Office is required to participate.

SIT - Jordan: Geopolitics, International Relations, and the Future of the Middle East: one semester of study in Amman. Program is structured thematically and includes an excursion to Turkey.

 

Summer Study Abroad

Duke in the Arab World: Religion, Citizenship, and Governance: A 6-week Summer Program in Morocco and Egypt

Duke in the Arab World takes students to Morocco and Egypt, where students enroll in one content course and one Moroccan Arabic course. More information about program details and application guidelines are available on the Duke in the Arab World program website. The program is led by Dr. Mbaye Lo. 

Duke Arabic Night

At the end of each spring semester, students across Arabic levels gather to celebrate the Arab World’s diverse cultures and present what they have learned over the academic year. Students have the opportunity to meet with upperclassmen and Arabic program professors to discuss future studies and educational opportunities. 

 

Speaker Events

The Duke Arabic Program, as a part of the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies Department, works closely with the Duke Islamic Studies Center (DISC) and Duke University Middle Eastern Studies Center (DUMESC) to support speaker events throughout the academic year. Featured and related events are publicized through the DUMESC newsletter.

 

Arabic Tables

The Duke Arabic Program holds regular Arabic Table events for Arabic students and the broader Duke community each semester. Each meeting focuses on a different thematic topic and invites participants of all language levels to practice conversational Arabic in an informal setting. Please check our Arabic table events on the AMES calendar.

 

Arabic-Hebrew Night

Since 2007, Professor Mbaye Lo has organized a joint Arabic-Hebrew night, a public display of language learning, where students of both languages demonstrate what they have learned. More information is available at the Arabic-Hebrew Night website.  

 

Students interested in getting involved with Arabic Program Events can contact Mbaye B. Lo.

Arabic Language Program Coordinator

Maha Houssami will be on leave during the 2026 - 2027 academic year. 

Mbaye B. Lo is the Interim Arabic Language Program Coordinator effective August 1st, 2026 - May 31st, 2027. 

Arabic Program Faculty

Arabic Language Program Grader

Sierra Remington

My name is Sierra Remington. I am a senior studying AMES with the Arabic concentration, with minors in biology and global health, and I am on the pre-physician assistant track. I have been involved with Arabic my whole life, as I lived in the UAE for 13 years and Saudi Arabia for 4, and I knew I wanted to continue my journey with the language when I came to college. I have taken Arabic 203-306 at Duke and studied abroad for a semester in Amman, Jordan, with the Middlebury in Jordan program, where my Arabic improved immensely. I love this department and all of the people I have met through it and I am here for any questions!

reflections from students who have taken Arabic classes.

Aflaam - أفلام

Aflaam is an interactive website that helps students learn about different Arabic dialects through film and was created by Professor Maha Houssami and Duke Arabic Program students. The website has interactive educational materials for Iraqi, Moroccan, Levantine, and Egyptian colloquial Arabic. Students taking higher-level Arabic courses at Duke may interact with Aflaam in their courses’ curriculum.

 

Student Projects

Arabic 204, Spring 2024


Arabic 203,  Fall 2024


Arabic 204,  Fall 2024


Arabic 101,  2023

https://heyzine.com/flip-book/9e386816b6.html

 

Arabic 102, 2023–24
https://www.canva.com/design/DAGCrhyNpAw/Q7UrNBynxdjDIlE2m8i94A/view

 

Arabic 306 & 408, Spring 2023

With the support of Duke's Office of Service Learning, advanced Arabic students (Spring 2023) created the following two videos highlighting social justice themes from a variety of angles.

Arabic 306 and Arabic 408 students Blaze Gambla and Vishal Jammulapati produced this animated short film about a Yemeni coffee organization for their semester final projects. 

 

Arabic 306 students Mariam Gulamhusein and Sejal Mayer-Patel produced this short animated film on the issue of migrant workers' rights in the Gulf, focusing on the stories of workers who built the stadium for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The video aims to raise awareness about this issue and suggest solutions while providing cultural context for viewers.