Arabic Language & Area Studies
THE ARABIC LANGUAGE The Arabic language is one of the most widely-spoken languages in the world. Around 200,000,000 people speak it as their primary language in more than twenty two countries, from Morocco to Iraq, and as far south as Somalia and the Sudan. It is the language of Quran, the Holy book of Islam. The Arabic language originated in Saudi Arabia in pre-Islamic times, and spread rapidly across the Middle East. An adapted form of Classical Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic, is used in books, newspapers, on television and radio, in mosques, and in educated conversation. Written Arabic is distinctive in its script which is read from right to left, top to bottom: Arabic is written in the 28-character Arabic alphabet. In Arabic, a character may change depending on its placement in the word or sentence. Arabic letters are connected like script. Fine writing is called calligraphy and is held in high regard and appreciated as an art form in the Arabic culture.
The Arabic Language has been designated by the U.S. State Department as a critical language whose study is of strategic importance.
TTU began offering Arabic language courses in Fall 2002. In Fall 2003, under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. State Department's Strategic Languages Initiative administered through the International Educational Exchange, a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant was added to the Arabic instructional staff. Today we continue to host one or more Arabic FLTAs from various countries each semester.
- Arab Language Courses can be used to satisfy TTU Foreign Language Requirements.
- A minor in Arabic of 22 hours can be added to your degree program.
- These courses also can prepare you for exotic and exciting study-abroad opportunities.
(see www.studyabroad.ttu.edu)
INSTRUCTORS & FACULTY:
Ms. Faten Arfaoui & Mr. Muaz Barakat
Dr. Hafid Gafaiti, Qualia Professor of French, 268 Foreign Languages Building, 806-742-1561, hafid.gafaiti@ttu.edu
Advisor for Arabic Minor and Study Abroad: Stephani Biggs,stephani.biggs@ttu.edu.
COURSES:
ARAB 1501 - Beginning Course in Arabic I
ARAB 1502 - Beginning Course in Arabic II
ARAB 2301 - 2nd Course in Arabic I
ARAB 2302 - 2nd Course in Arabic II
ARAB 4300 - Individual Studies in Arabic
ENROLLMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR NONDEGREE STUDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE LUBBOCK COMMUNITY: Persons possessing a bachelors degree or higher may take undergraduate language courses as a Nondegree Student. Admission is simple: Obtain an application at www.ttu.edu/gradschool, apply for admission as a Post Graduate (PRGD) Nondegree Student, pay the $50 application fee, and submit transcripts of all previous college level study. When admitted enroll in the appropriate language course. Once admitted you may register indefinitely in undergraduate TTU courses. For more information contact the CMLL Academic Program Advisor, Liz Hildebrand, liz.hildebrand@ttu.edu, 219 Foreign Languages Building, 806-742-4055.