Arabic Studies

The minor in Arabic studies facilitates proficiency in the Arabic language, familiarizes students with the cultures of the Arabic-speaking world, provides facility with the Arabic textual tradition, and affords a foundation for professional and graduate work using the Arabic language.

Coursework trains students to read, interpret, and contextualize "texts" broadly construed as written, oral, and audio-visual. This is accomplished through mastering the Arabic language, increasing knowledge of Arab cultural themes, and engaging appropriate scholarly literature necessary to understand Arabic texts in an informed, relevant way.

What You Can Do with a Degree in Arabic Studies

Students with a minor in Arabic Studies have gone on to work in NGOs, the foreign service, international business, nonprofits, and political action groups. Learn more about how a background in Arabic Studies has supported alumni in their chosen career paths.

Mohammed Aldawood

How Arabic Studies Enriches Your Career

"Since graduating from University of Oregon and obtaining my master's in Arabic from DePaul University, I have had the opportunity to teach Arabic at the Foreign Service Institute at the US Department of State as well as several colleges and universities, including American University in Washington, D.C. I'm grateful for all the opportunities that teaching Arabic has provided me!"

—Mohammed Aldawood, accounting major, Arabic studies minor, ‘12

Our Degree Program

Undergraduate students can minor in Arabic Studies by taking three years of Arabic classes and a combination of 12 credits of advanced Arabic language courses (including an optional 4 credits of a department-approved class). Students who already know Arabic are exempt from the third-year Arabic requirement.

Teacher teaching class

Learn from Experts in the Field

Students majoring in Arabic studies will learn from faculty who are known experts in their respective fields. Because each student is given the flexibility to build their own course of study built on their specific interests, there are opportunities to work with faculty representing a broad range of departments.

Person riding camel

Get Real-world Experience

Study abroad or intern in the Arabic world. Connect with other Arabic speakers. Get involved in research.

Scholarships and Funding

Students pursuing a minor or graduate specialization in Arabic studies can apply for a variety of fellowships, programs, scholarships, and other opportunities to help fund their education.

Undergraduate Scholarships

Academic Support

Students in the Arabic Studies Program can seek academic support, career counseling, and other advising services through Tykeson Hall or by consulting our program advisor.

Undergraduate Advising

Humanities News and CAS Events

July 18, 2024
ECONOMICS, GLOBAL STUDIES, PHILOSOPHY, POLITICAL SCIENCE - Two College of Arts and Sciences students — one attending an immersive Mandarin language study abroad and the other serving on a state of Oregon board on climate change and exploring Peru — are having life-transforming experiences.
July 17, 2024
GLOBAL STUDIES AND LANGUAGES, LINGUISTICS, SPANISH - U.S. Latinx students studying Spanish while studying abroad can encounter discrimination and condescending attitudes from their instructors. For students who grew up speaking Spanish, known as heritage speakers, this can lead to missed learning opportunities, according to Devin Grammon and Sergio Loza, both assistant professors of Spanish sociolinguistics in the College of Arts and Sciences.
July 8, 2024
THEATRE ARTS - Jeanette deJong, associate professor of costume design, history and technology in the College of Arts and Sciences, brings decades of experience to the theatre arts. Whether leading a lecture or writing a book, deJong draws from her professional journey and offers methods and techniques that have been honed over the years.

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Coming to Oregon Graduate Student Group Aug 19
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Coming to Oregon Graduate Student Group - evening session Aug 19
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UO Cinema Studies Alumni Gathering: Los Angeles Aug 25 Everson Royce Bar
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Graduate School Fair 2024 Nov 13 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)

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