Arabic
The Department of World Languages and Literatures at Western Michigan University offers a minor in Arabic.
Requirements vary somewhat from one WMU undergraduate catalog to the next. No student may graduate under a catalog that is more than 10 years old.
Only courses in which a grade of C or better is obtained will be counted toward an Arabic minor.
Advising
We encourage you to make an appointment with an Arabic advisor if you have any questions about your Arabic studies. As a minor, plan to meet each semester with your Arabic advisor as well as your curriculum advisor, typically in the College of Arts and Sciences or the College of Education and Human Development.
Within our department, you’ll find both language-specific advisors and college advisors who can support you in different ways. For questions about Arabic course content or academic planning related to Arabic, contact Dr. Mustafa Mughazy. For general questions about course scheduling or degree planning, reach out to Tom Mills.
Tutoring
We offer free tutoring for all 1000- and 2000-level language courses to help you build confidence and succeed in your studies. Whether you need help with grammar, conversation, or preparing for an exam, our tutors are here to support you. Tutoring is provided through the department and aligns with the content and goals of each course.
Placement
Follow the placement guidelines to determine an appropriate course for your language studies.
Courses
Arabic courses
Courses in English about Arabic language and culture:
- Life and Culture of the Arabs (ARAB 2750)
- This course introduces specific elements of life and culture in the Arab World, past and present. Those elements include history, religions, geography, languages, arts, politics, and literatures. The course will be offered in English with no prerequisites and will be open for the general student body. The course seeks to create a link between the Arabic language and the culture that provides its natural context. The aim is to provide students with an informed and balanced view of some of the pressing aspects of Arab life and culture, and to do so in such a way as to demonstrate the uniqueness and yet diversity of Arabic sub-cultures on the one hand, and the universality of the Arab culture(s) on the other.
- Global Issues through Literature and Film (LANG 3750)
- This course is an examination of large, real-world problems and issues as seen through the lens of literature (both text and film) of a non-US society. It will involve skills including close reading, critical thinking, synthesizing different viewpoints, and basic research to explore questions that are important to humanity and that reach beyond the classroom. In doing so, the course will have students approach the subject matter from multiple perspectives, interpret information, comprehend complexity, listen to contrasting viewpoints, synthesize information, and express clear, reasoned opinions. This course satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 3: Connections – Global Perspectives Category. May be repeated for credit.
Study abroad
The department offers a study abroad program for Arabic studies. If you desire to earn Arabic credits through participation in a study abroad program contact Dr. Mustafa Mughazy. A program must be approved before it is undertaken.