Minor in Arabic & Hebrew Languages & Cultures

 

A group of students sitting at desks in Arabic class

 

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).

 

Liat Wasserman


 

Liat Wasserman, BA '21, Minor in Arabic & Hebrew

"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."

 

Course Requirements

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. Students must have completed two years of the primary language or equivalent and one year of the secondary language or equivalent before beginning the minor program.

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.

Language prerequisite
For students pursuing the Arabic focus area, the following courses or their equivalent must be completed before beginning the program:
ARAB 1001Beginning Arabic I
ARAB 1002Beginning Arabic II
ARAB 2001Intermediate Arabic I
ARAB 2002Intermediate Arabic II
HEBR 1001Beginning Hebrew I
HEBR 1002Beginning Hebrew II
For students pursuing the Hebrew focus area, the following courses or their equivalent must be completed before beginning the program:
HEBR 1001Beginning Hebrew I
HEBR 1002Beginning Hebrew II
HEBR 2001Intermediate Hebrew I
HEBR 2002Intermediate Hebrew II
ARAB 1001Beginning Arabic I
ARAB 1002Beginning Arabic II
Required minor curriculum
Students must complete all courses (9 to 10 credits) in either the Arabic or Hebrew focus area.
Arabic focus area
ARAB 3001Advanced Arabic
ARAB 3301Modern Arabic Literature
ARAB 3302Media Arabic
Hebrew focus area
HEBR 3001Hebrew Conversation and Writing
HEBR 3301Modern Hebrew Fiction
or HEBR 3301W Modern Hebrew Fiction
HEBR 3302The 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 3501Arabic and Arab Identity
ARAB 3502Arab Film and Culture in English
HEBR 3101Modern Hebrew Literary Classics in Translation
HEBR 3102Israeli Society and Culture: Literary Perspectives
HEBR 3103Israeli Cinema (in English)
HEBR 3104WGender and Sexuality in Israel