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Arabic and Islamic Studies

Program Codes: AIS
Minor

Introduction:
The  Department of World  Languages and Cultures sees its role in the life of the University as a vehicle for the development of the whole person in a multicultural context through the most basic activities of human life: personal expression and social interaction.

We offer majors in French, Spanish, Russian Studies and International Business, as well as French and Spanish Education. Students may also pursue minors in Arabic and Islamic Studies, Asian Studies, Chinese, French, Russian Studies, Spanish and Teaching English-Language Learners. Through these programs the Department prepares students for a future that demands a high level of linguistic proficiency and cultural competency.

Mission Statement
The Department of World Languages and Cultures supports the mission of the University by fostering meaningful language acquisition and cultural study that will enable our students to “exercise leadership in  service toward a just world.”

The department promotes the acquisition of indispensable skills in intercultural communication for our students’ future careers and personal development. Understanding that we cannot truly understand a people without understanding their language, the department’s focus is on quality, student-centered instruction in the reading, writing, speaking, and listening comprehension skills necessary to function in our target languages. Courses in world cultures and literatures are a vital complement to language study and support the University core value of global responsibility, which “challenges us to learn how to steward the resources of the Earth wisely and to act in solidarity with its diverse peoples.”

In order to foster awareness of world cultures, the department supports study abroad experiences, sponsors speakers and other events on campus, and serves as a language and cultural resource to the greater Erie community. The department of World Languages and Cultures works to foster respect for others, an openness to difference, and productive relationships facilitated through intercultural communication.

 

Program Outcomes:
  • Speak and understand the target language at the Intermediate High level or above, as detailed in the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.
  • Read and write in the target language at the Intermediate High level or above (ACTFL).
  • Demonstrate cultural proficiency in the culture(s) that use the target language.
  • Discuss in the target language, both orally and in writing, literary and visual texts or cultural artifacts of the target culture
  • Conduct and produce research in the target language..
Arabic and Islamic Studies Requirements

Students must take a minimum of four (4) Arabic language courses, such as the following:

INTRODUCTION TO ARABIC I
Course Code:
ARAB 101
Course Group(s):
HUMANS IN CONNECTION
Active Term:
Fall Term
/ All Years
Course Description:
An introduction to the Arabic language, including development of the basic skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Learning activities aimed toward developing communicative proficiency and mastery of the writing system. 3 credits.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
ARAB 101
INTRODUCTION TO ARABIC I
3
INTRODUCTION TO ARABIC II
Course Code:
ARAB 102
Active Term:
Spring Term
/ All Years
Course Description:
Further study of the skills introduced in Introduction to Arabic I, including a continued study of Arabic grammar and aural-oral practice designed to reinforce basic language skills.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
Prerequisites:
ARAB 101
x
ARAB 102
INTRODUCTION TO ARABIC II
3
INTERMEDIATE ARABIC I
Course Code:
ARAB 203
Active Term:
Fall Term
/ All Years
Course Description:
Students continue the development of the four language skills and incorporate a new emphasis on reading and writing Arabic.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
ARAB 203
INTERMEDIATE ARABIC I
3
INTERMEDIATE ARABIC II
Course Code:
ARAB 204
Active Term:
Spring Term
/ All Years
Course Description:
An intensive study of the more sophisticated grammatical patterns and idiomatic structures of Arabic designed to increase proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking the language.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
ARAB 204
INTERMEDIATE ARABIC II
3
Arabic and Islamic Studies Electives

Choose three (3) of the following or other relevant courses as offered. Students who are unsure as to whether a course can be counted toward the minor should consult the program director.

CONVERSATION/COMPOSITION I
Course Code:
ARAB 210
Active Term:
Randomly
/ Randomly
Course Description:

This course will focus on developing conversational fluency and building skills to write texts greater than paragraph length. This course will build on those skills developed in ARAB 204.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
ARAB 210
CONVERSATION/COMPOSITION I
3
FRANCOPHONE CULTURES
Course Code:
FREN 126
Course Group(s):
HUMANS IN CONNECTION
Active Term:
Randomly
/ Randomly
Course Description:
The course presents a broad overview of the contemporary cultures of the former French colonies in the Caribbean, Africa and Southeast Asia. Course readings and discussion will be organized around the broad themes of modernization vs. Westernization and the interplay of tradition and identity. The approach is interdisciplinary and will touch upon arts, religion and history as well as contemporary concerns related to social, political and economic development. The course is taught in English.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
FREN 126
FRANCOPHONE CULTURES
3
MODERN MIDDLE EASTERN HISTORY
Course Code:
HIS 274
Course Group(s):
CONTEXTS AND SYSTEMS, WESTERN AND WORLD HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES COURSES
Active Term:
Randomly
/ Randomly
Course Description:
This survey course will introduce students to the modern Middle East. The course will chart Middle Eastern History from the 1300s to the present. We will investigate the transformation of the Middle East as it meets the West, its interaction with Europe, and we will examine the Middle East's age of independence. Throughout the course, we will examine various themes, including gender, religion, and class. We will cover the following topics: European imperialism in the Middle East and its affects, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Iranian Revolution, and the petroleum era, radicalism, while placing them within the broader framework of the modern Middle East. We will conclude by addressing recent developments in the region and its outlook for the future.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
HIS 274
MODERN MIDDLE EASTERN HISTORY
3
COMPARATIVE POLITICS: AFRICA
Course Code:
POLI 240
Course Group(s):
CONTEXTS AND SYSTEMS
Active Term:
Randomly
/ Randomly
Course Description:

Africa is a resource-rich region, comprising 53 states. Endemic poverty, pervasive corruption, patronage and ethnic cleavages are often used to describe the entire region. Yet, it is inaccurate to paint the region with such a broad brush. Within Africa, there is diversity as some states perform better than others on many politico-economic indicators. Thematically, this course examines the complexities of politics in Africa. Specifically, we will explore the interaction of political culture, institutions, and domestic and international actors and the political outcomes they produce in African countries.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
POLI 240
COMPARATIVE POLITICS: AFRICA
3
ISLAM
Course Code:
RLST 208
Course Group(s):
REASON AND FAITH
Active Term:
Fall Term
/ All Years
Course Description:
A study of the origins and development of Islam, beginning from the prophet Muhammad to the contemporary era. Special consideration of Islam's religious, social, and philosophical developments, the diversity within Islam, and the interface of Islam as it penetrated into cultures beyond the Arabian peninsula.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
RLST 208
ISLAM
3

Related Programs

BAFRENED

French Education

BARUSST

Russian Studies

BASPAN

Spanish

BASPANED

Spanish Education

BAFREN

French

ASIA

Asian Studies

CHNS

Chinese

QTELL

Teaching English-Language Learners

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