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Taste of Arabia presentation.

Arabic

Arabic is the 4th most spoken language around the world, and its global and national significance is more important today—in political, economic, and cultural fields—than ever before.

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Degree Types
Minor
Institution
Complementary Programs
Arabic & Middle Eastern Studies
Heart
Distinctive Requirements
Internship (recommended)
Document
Connections Across Campus
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Arabic is the official language of the Arab countries in both Asia and Africa, and it’s also the language of the Holy Quran, which transformed it from the oral language of the pre-Islamic era to the written language that is used today. Therefore, it is spoken today by millions of Muslims all over the world. It is also the language used by Arab Christians in the Middle East. The demand for Arabic language is continuing to grow at a fast pace, especially in the U.S., due to the relevance of current political issues in the Middle East and in several other Islamic countries.

Future Career Paths

With a firm grasp of a different country’s language and culture, you’ll be equipped to explore careers in fields such as:

  • Politics
  • Economics
  • International relations
  • International business
  • Education
  • National security
  • Translation

Distinctive Courses

ARB 1101 - Elementary Arabic

The acquisition of oral/aural skills through intensive exposure to Arabic used both as the medium of communication and the object of study. It enables the student accurately to express his or her daily experiences in spoken and written Arabic, and to understand communications of a moderate level of difficulty.

ARB 2212 - Intermediate Arabic II

This course continues building the linguistic skills that student acquired in previous semesters in the areas of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The students will improve their understanding of written texts and aural and audio-visual materials on a wide variety of topics, and will reinforce their knowledge through written exercises on selected topics. In addition, students will be introduced to various aspects of contemporary life and culture of the Arab world.

PSI 2236 - The Politics of the Middle East

This course offers students a multidisciplinary overview of the nature of contemporary politics in the Middle East. In so doing, it concerns itself with sets of questions regarding the political roles of Islam, the changing dynamics of authoritarianism, the relationship between democracy and peace, the political and social effects of demographic and socioeconomic trends, and the importance and leverage of international forces.

Arabic Program Requirements

Arabic Minor
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McDaniel Commitment in Action

The McDaniel Commitment—a series of opportunities guaranteed to all students—provides enhanced mentoring and coaching, and ensures every undergraduate student completes at least two meaningful experiential learning opportunities.

Student internship in Chile.

Study Abroad

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Internships

Summer Research Team

Research

Special Opportunities

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The Arabic House

The Arabic house provides an opportunity to immerse yourself in the Arabic language right on campus. Each year, an Arabic house director comes from an Arabic-speaking country to study at McDaniel, share their culture, and help you improve your Arabic. Living in the Arabic house will fulfill study abroad requirements for students who are unable to travel. 

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Unique Classes First Year Seminar

Incoming McDaniel students choose from a diverse list of First Year Seminars for their introduction to college academics. Students in Breaking Barriers: Pop Culture in the Arab World gained a global perspective on pop culture from Senior Lecturer Carol Zaru.

Carol Zaru

Faculty Spotlight Carol Zaru Senior Lecturer

Carol Zaru was born in Jerusalem and lived in the city of Ramallah, Palestine, most of her life. She attended college in the United States, receiving a bachelor’s degree from Oakland University in Rochester, Mich. She returned to Palestine where she worked at Birzeit University in the West Bank and received an intermediate-level certificate in German from the Goethe Institute, Ramallah. She moved to Maryland in 2001. Fluent in both Arabic and English, she has been teaching Arabic at McDaniel since 2007.

Learn more about Zaru.

Related Programs

History Arabic & Middle Eastern Studies Public Administration and Policy, M.S. Asian Studies Africana Studies
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Keep in Touch

Tell us a little about yourself and we'll share updates & information. (We'll also make sure you don't miss any important deadlines.)

Keep in Touch
mapsearch Created with Sketch.

See Yourself Here

Take your first steps on the Hill! Visiting campus is one of the best ways to determine if McDaniel is right for you.

Visit McDaniel
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