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 fourth and fifth-year courses to 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, which will begin in Fall 2025, 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.

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. If you have studied Arabic prior to Duke or abroad as an undergraduate, you must take a placement test. 

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 at this link.
  • 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

Arabic 102: Elementary Arabic

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.

 

Arabic 203: Intermediate Arabic

Arabic 204: Intermediate Arabic

At the 200-level, students are introduced to increasingly complex grammatical structures and vocabulary. They develop greater communication skills and work with a broader variety of Arabic-language media. This level continues in the Al-Kitaab series with Part 2. 

 

Arabic 305: Advanced Levantine Arabic and Culture

Arabic 306: Advanced Arabic

At the 300-level, students complete the Al-Kitaab series with Part 3 and transition to abridged novels and longer-form media content. These courses typically include a service-learning component and creative final project. 

 

Arabic 407: Issues in Arabic Language and Literature I

Arabic 408: Issues in Arabic Language and Literature II

At the 400-level students focus on complex literary texts, dealing with diverse political and social topics and themes. Classes are oriented towards research and creative projects, with an emphasis on argumentative writing and speaking. 

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 Engage in Jordan: Democratizing Educational and Technological Opportunities

Students live in Amman, Jordan, for six weeks, where they volunteer at local organizations focused on bridging educational gaps, like iLearn Jordan and Eureka Tech Academy. The program includes cultural activities and excursions. No previous experience in Arabic is required. The program is directed by Professor Maha Houssami. More information on program eligibility and deadlines at the Duke Engage in Jordan website.

 

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. 

 

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 Maha Houssami.

Arabic Language Program Coordinator

Maha Houssami

Arabic Program Faculty

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.