Minor in Arabic & Hebrew Languages & Cultures
Integrating two Semitic sister languages, the Arabic and Hebrew minor enables students to discover the linguistic and cultural commonalities between two important languages of the Middle East region.
Students in the minor choose one primary language of focus and may select electives from either Hebrew or Arabic. Potential courses include Gender and Sexuality in Israel, Arab Film and Culture in English and Modern Hebrew Literary Classics in Translation.
Students should consult with the coordinator of their chosen primary track before declaring a minor: Orian Zakai (Hebrew track) or Mohssen Esseesy (Arabic track).
"I had the unique opportunity to study two languages and two worlds at once, with professors who have the life experience to present it in an authentic way. These courses reshaped how I understand language and deepened my connection to the Near East."
Liat Wasserman
BA '21, Minor in Arabic & Hebrew
Course Requirements
This Bulletin covers the degree requirements for students matriculating in the current academic year. Students who matriculated before the current year can find their requirements in the relevant archived Bulletin.
The following requirements must be fulfilled: A minimum of 18 credits, including 9 to 10 credits in one focus area and 9 credits in elective courses. In addition, students must complete two years of the primary language or equivalent and one year of the secondary language or equivalent before beginning the minor program.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Language prerequisite | ||
| For students pursuing the Arabic focus area, the following courses or their equivalent must be completed before beginning the program: | ||
| ARAB 1001 | Beginning Arabic I | |
| ARAB 1002 | Beginning Arabic II | |
| ARAB 2001 | Intermediate Arabic I | |
| ARAB 2002 | Intermediate Arabic II | |
| HEBR 1001 | Beginning Hebrew I | |
| HEBR 1002 | Beginning Hebrew II | |
| For students pursuing the Hebrew focus area, the following courses or their equivalent must be completed before beginning the program: | ||
| HEBR 1001 | Beginning Hebrew I | |
| HEBR 1002 | Beginning Hebrew II | |
| HEBR 2001 | Intermediate Hebrew I | |
| HEBR 2002 | Intermediate Hebrew II | |
| ARAB 1001 | Beginning Arabic I | |
| ARAB 1002 | Beginning Arabic II | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required minor curriculum | ||
| Students must complete all courses (9 to 10 credits) in either the Arabic or Hebrew focus area. | ||
| Arabic focus area | ||
| ARAB 3001 | Advanced Arabic | |
| ARAB 3301 | Modern Arabic Literature | |
| ARAB 3302 | Media Arabic | |
| Hebrew focus area | ||
| HEBR 3001 | Hebrew Conversation and Writing | |
| HEBR 3301 | Modern Hebrew Fiction | |
| or HEBR 3301W | Modern Hebrew Fiction | |
| HEBR 3302 | The Israeli Media | |
| or HEBR 3302W | The Israeli Media | |
| Electives | ||
| 9 credits (three courses) selected from the following. At least one course must be outside the student's focus area. | ||
| ARAB 3501 | Arabic and Arab Identity | |
| ARAB 3502 | Arab Film and Culture | |
| HEBR 3101 | Modern Hebrew Literary Classics in Translation | |
| HEBR 3102 | Israeli Society and Culture: Literary Perspectives | |
| HEBR 3103 | Israeli Cinema | |
| HEBR 3104W | Gender and Sexuality in Israel | |