Arabic Specialization
On this page:
- Required Coursework
- Current Course Offerings
- Critical Concentration Courses
- Current Critical Concentration Offerings
Other links:
Undergraduate Coordinator:
Dr. Salah Algabli
357 Pugh Hall
salahalgabli@ufl.edu
352-273-2958
Overview
The Arabic specialization of the Foreign Languages and Literatures major provides students with a solid background in the linguistic, literary, and cultural aspects of the Arab World, including North Africa, the Arab Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula. The major gives students a foundation in the Arabic language, including speaking, reading, writing, and listening, as well as the opportunity to advance their knowledge of Arab cultures. It prepares students for graduate school and is ideal for students considering careers in government and diplomacy, academia, business, and international development. Many students choose to double major in the Arabic specialization of the Foreign Languages and Literatures major and another subject in social sciences, humanities, business, or journalism.
Requirements for the Major
The Arabic specialization of the Foreign Languages and Literatures major consists of preparatory language study at the lower division (1000 and 2000 level), and 33 credits of advanced language, theory, and culture study in the upper division (3000 level and above).
All coursework for the major must be completed with minimum grades of C.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Foundation Coursework | ||
| Total depends on placement in language courses | ||
| ARA 1130 | Beginning Arabic 1 | 5 |
| ARA 1131 | Beginning Arabic 2 | 5 |
| ARA 2220 | Intermediate Arabic 1 | 4 |
| ARA 2221 | Intermediate Arabic 2 | 4 |
| Required Major Coursework | ||
| Advanced Language and Culture | ||
| ARA 3410 | Advanced Arabic 1 | 3 |
| ARA 3411 | Advanced Arabic 2 | 3 |
| ARA 4420 | Arabic through the Texts | 3 |
| Advanced Major Elective Coursework | ||
| Select 15 credits: | 15 | |
ABT 3130 | Arabic Literary Heritage 1 | |
ABT 3500 | Arabic Culture | |
ABT 4131 | The Qur'an as Literature | |
ARA 3241 | Spoken Arabic | |
ARA 3510 | The Arab Woman | |
ARA 4400 | Fourth Year Arabic 1 | |
ARA 4401 | Fourth Year Arabic 2 | |
ARA 4422 | Arabic-English Translation | |
ARA 4822 | Arabic Sociolinguistics | |
ARA 4850 | Structure of Standard Arabic | |
ARA 4905 | Individual Study (3 credits max.) | |
ARA 4915 | Honors Thesis | |
ARA 4930 | Special Topics | |
| Critical Concentration | ||
| Select nine credits from one area: 1 | 9 | |
Intensive Area Studies: Arabic Studies 2 | ||
Comparative Cultural Studies | ||
Film and Visual Culture | ||
Literary Studies | ||
Medieval and Early Modern Studies | ||
| Total Credits | 51 | |
- 1
Although courses may appear in more than one group they may be counted toward only one group.
- 2
Recommended for those planning to pursue careers requiring advanced level skills in Arabic or graduate work in Arabic studies.
Overseas Study
Students of the Arabic specialization of the Foreign Languages and Literatures major are encouraged to study abroad for a summer or a semester. Students may choose the summer UF-sponsored program in the Arabic Language Institute in Fez (ALIF) in Morocco. The program offers students the opportunity to earn 11 credits (only 6 credits count toward the major).
More info
Students may also choose another UF-approved study-abroad program in Morocco or another Arab country (e.g., in Jordan, Qatar).
Placement
In all languages, students with either a native background in the language or prior study in that language might be eligible to place out of the preparatory language courses and should meet with the undergraduate coordinator to arrange for placement assessment. Literacy in Standard Arabic is expected.
Research
Students with an upper-division GPA of 3.5 are encouraged to write a thesis for high or highest honors at graduation.
Current Course Offerings (Fall 2025)
ABT3500 - Arabic Culture
Introduction to Arabic culture with special reference to art, literature, religion, and society. Emphasizes Arab contributions to philosophy, medicine, mathematics, and architecture. All readings in English.
Prereq: Minimum 15 credits earned in enrollment, test, or transfer credit.
Class #23755
W | Period 6 (12:50 PM - 1:40 PM)
W | Period 7 (1:55 PM - 2:45 PM)
TBA
EEP EligibleGen Ed: InternationalWriting: 6,000 Words
Instructor: Salah Algabli
Meet: Primary Classroom
Credits: 3
Department: Languages, Literatures & Cultures Arabic
Final Exam: 12/11/2025 @ 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Class Dates: 08/21/2025 - 12/03/2025
Introduction to Arabic culture with special reference to art, literature, religion, and society. Emphasizes Arab contributions to philosophy, medicine, mathematics, and architecture. All readings in English.
Prereq: Minimum 15 credits earned in enrollment, test, or transfer credit.
ARA1130 - Beginning Arabic 1
Beginning study covering four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Class #10422
Instructor: Salah Algabli
Meet: Online
Credits: 5
Department: Languages, Literatures & Cultures Arabic
Final Exam: 12/10/2025 @ 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Class Dates: 08/21/2025 - 12/03/2025
Class #21844
M, T, W | Period 3 (9:35 AM - 10:25 AM)
R, F | Period 3 (9:35 AM - 10:25 AM)
TBA
EEP Eligible
Instructor: Soraya Bouguettaya
Meet: Primary Classroom
Credits: 5
Department: Languages, Literatures & Cultures Arabic
Final Exam: 12/10/2025 @ 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Class Dates: 08/21/2025 - 12/03/2025
Class #28559
Instructor: Salah Algabli
Meet: Online
Credits: 5
Department: Languages, Literatures & Cultures Arabic
Final Exam: TBA
Class Dates: 08/21/2025 - 12/03/2025
Beginning study covering four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
ARA1131 - Beginning Arabic 2
Continued study of the four skills with additional vocabulary and grammar.
Prereq: ARA 1130 with minimum grade of C or the equivalent.
Class #27194
M, T, W | Period 6 (12:50 PM - 1:40 PM)
R, F | Period 6 (12:50 PM - 1:40 PM)
TBA
EEP Eligible
Instructor: Soraya Bouguettaya
Meet: Primary Classroom
Credits: 5
Department: Languages, Literatures & Cultures Arabic
Final Exam: 12/11/2025 @ 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Class Dates: 08/21/2025 - 12/03/2025
Continued study of the four skills with additional vocabulary and grammar.
Prereq: ARA 1130 with minimum grade of C or the equivalent.
ARA2220 - Intermediate Arabic 1
Continuation of the study of standard Arabic language. Develops reading, writing, listening and speaking skills and helps with comprehension of written and audio texts. Students can use their knowledge of the Arabic language to clearly express their personal views in a meaningful and well-structured language.
Prereq: ARA 1131 with minimum grade of C or the equivalent.
Class #25890
EEP Eligible
Instructor: Soraya Bouguettaya
Meet: Primary Classroom
Credits: 4
Department: Languages, Literatures & Cultures Arabic
Final Exam: 12/10/2025 @ 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Class Dates: 08/21/2025 - 12/03/2025
Continuation of the study of standard Arabic language. Develops reading, writing, listening and speaking skills and helps with comprehension of written and audio texts. Students can use their knowledge of the Arabic language to clearly express their personal views in a meaningful and well-structured language.
Prereq: ARA 1131 with minimum grade of C or the equivalent.
ARA2221 - Intermediate Arabic 2
Continues the study of Arabic language at the intermediate level. Emphasizes developing reading comprehension, writing, listening and speaking, and vocabulary and grammar.
Prereq: ARA 2220 with minimum grade of C or the equivalent.
Class #25914
Instructor: Salah Algabli
Meet: Online
Credits: 4
Department: Languages, Literatures & Cultures Arabic
Final Exam: TBA
Class Dates: 08/21/2025 - 12/03/2025
Continues the study of Arabic language at the intermediate level. Emphasizes developing reading comprehension, writing, listening and speaking, and vocabulary and grammar.
Prereq: ARA 2220 with minimum grade of C or the equivalent.
ARA3241 - Spoken Arabic
Develops listening and conversational skills at an intermediate level of proficiency. Focuses on a middle variety of Arabic known as Educated Spoken Arabic that enables successful communication with educated Arab speakers from virtually any country in the Arab world.
Prereq: ARA 2221.
Develops listening and conversational skills at an intermediate level of proficiency. Focuses on a middle variety of Arabic known as Educated Spoken Arabic that enables successful communication with educated Arab speakers from virtually any country in the Arab world.
Prereq: ARA 2221.
ARA3410 - Advanced Arabic 1
Advanced study of the four skills with attention to more complex structures.
Prereq: ARA 2221 with minimum grade of C or the equivalent.
Class #10423
Advanced study of the four skills with attention to more complex structures.
Prereq: ARA 2221 with minimum grade of C or the equivalent.
ARA4905 - Individual Study
For those who seek independent work not offered in another course.
Prereq: instructor permission.
Class #10424
---
Instructor: Salah Algabli
Meet: Primary Classroom
Credits: 1-5
Department: Languages, Literatures & Cultures Arabic
Final Exam: TBA
Class Dates: 08/21/2025 - 12/03/2025
For those who seek independent work not offered in another course.
Prereq: instructor permission.
Concentration Courses
Critical Concentration Courses
9 Credits from One Concentration
Although courses may appear in more than one group, they may be counted toward only one group.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Intensive Area Studies: Arabic | ||
| ABT 3130 | Arabic Literary Heritage 1 | 3 |
| ABT 3500 | Arabic Culture | 3 |
| ABT 4131 | The Qur'an as Literature | 3 |
| ARA 3241 | Spoken Arabic | 3 |
| ARA 3510 | The Arab Woman | 3 |
| ARA 4400 | Fourth Year Arabic 1 | 3 |
| ARA 4401 | Fourth Year Arabic 2 | 3 |
| ARA 4422 | Arabic-English Translation | 3 |
| ARA 4822 | Arabic Sociolinguistics | 3 |
| ARA 4850 | Structure of Standard Arabic | 3 |
| ARA 4905 | Individual Study (maximum 3 credits) | 1-5 |
| ARA 4915 | Honors Thesis | 3 |
| ARA 4930 | Special Topics | 3 |
| Comparative Cultural Studies | ||
| ABT 3500 | Arabic Culture | 3 |
| ABT 4131 | The Qur'an as Literature | 3 |
| ARA 3510 | The Arab Woman | 3 |
| CHI 3403 | Chinese Calligraphy | 3 |
| CHT 3500 | Chinese Culture | 3 |
| CHT 3510 | All the Tea in China | 3 |
| CHT 3513 | Taoism and Chinese Culture | 3 |
| CZT 3564 | Modern Czech Culture and Society | 3 |
| FRT 3004 | Monuments and Masterpieces of France | 3 |
| FRT 3561 | Women in French Literature and/or Cinema | 3-4 |
| FRT 4500 | East-West Encounters | 3 |
| GET 3003 | German Culture and Civilization 1 | 3 |
| GET 3004 | Modern German Culture and Civilization | 3 |
| GET 3200 | Medieval Literary Culture | 3 |
| GET 3201 | Early Modern Literary Culture | 3 |
| GET 3501 | History, Literature and Arts of Berlin | 3 |
| GET 3580 | Representations of War in Literature and Visual Media | 3 |
| GET 3930 | Variable Topics in German Studies (German Fairy Tales) | 3 |
| GEW 4401 | Cities as Cultural Centers | 3 |
| HAI 3930 | Topics in Haitian Language and Culture | 3 |
| HAT 3503 | Haitian Culture and Literature in Translation | 3 |
| HAT 3564 | Haitian Culture and Society | 3 |
| HAT 3700 | Introduction to Haitian Creole Linguistics | 3 |
| ITT 3431 | Italy and Pilgrimages | 3 |
| ITT 3443 | Dante's Inferno (English) | 3 |
| ITT 3540 | Murder Italian Style: Crime Fiction and Film in Italy | 3 |
| ITT 3541 | Gangsters and Godfathers: Italian Mafia Movies | 3 |
| ITT 3700 | The Demolition of Man: Italian Perspectives on the Jewish Holocaust | 3 |
| ITT 3930 | Special Topics in Italian Literature and Culture | 3 |
| JMT 3500 | Jamaican Creole, Reggae, and Rastafari | 3 |
| JPT 3500 | Japanese Culture | 3 |
| JPT 3521 | Monsters and Horror in Japan | 3 |
| JPT 3702 | Japanese Visual Culture | 3 |
| JPT 4502 | Japanese Folklore | 3 |
| JPT 4510 | Representations of Japan's Modern Empire | 3 |
| RUT 3443 | War and Peace | 3 |
| RUT 3500 | Russian Cultural Heritage | 3 |
| RUT 3501 | Contemporary Russian Culture and Society | 3 |
| RUT 3503 | Violence and Terror in the Russian Experience | 3 |
| RUT 3504 | Russia Today | 3 |
| RUT 3506 | Creative Lives: Writers, Artists, and Extraordinary People | 3 |
| RUT 3514 | Russian Fairy Tales | 3 |
| RUT 3530 | Russia's Struggle with Nature: Legacies of Destruction and Preservation | 3 |
| RUT 3600 | The Twentieth Century through Slavic Eyes | 3 |
| RUT 3601 | The Culture of the Cold War | 3 |
| RUT 4450 | Russian Modernism | 3 |
| VTT 3500 | Vietnamese Culture | 3 |
| YOT 3500 | Yoruba Diaspora in the New World | 3 |
| Film and Visual Culture | ||
| CHI 4930 | Special Topics in Chinese Studies | 3 |
| CHT 3391 | Chinese Film and Media | 3 |
| CHT 3523 | Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the New Global Cinema | 3 |
| FRT 3520 | French Cinema | 4 |
| FRT 3561 | Women in French Literature and/or Cinema | 3-4 |
| FRT 4500 | East-West Encounters | 3 |
| FRT 4523 | European Identities, European Cinemas | 4 |
| GET 3520 | Early German Cinema to 1945 | 4 |
| GET 3580 | Representations of War in Literature and Visual Media | 3 |
| GET 4521 | Women and German Cinema | 4 |
| GET 4523 | New Cinema 1945 to the Present | 4 |
| GET 4930 | Variable Topics in German Studies | 3 |
| HBR 4930 | Special Topics | 3 |
| ITT 3521 | Italian Cinema | 4 |
| ITT 3540 | Murder Italian Style: Crime Fiction and Film in Italy | 3 |
| ITT 3541 | Gangsters and Godfathers: Italian Mafia Movies | 3 |
| ITT 3930 | Special Topics in Italian Literature and Culture | 3 |
| JPN 4930 | Special Topics in Japanese Studies | 3 |
| JPT 3391 | Introduction to Japanese Film | 4 |
| JPT 3521 | Monsters and Horror in Japan | 3 |
| JPT 3702 | Japanese Visual Culture | 3 |
| RUT 3524 | Russia through Film | 3 |
| RUT 3601 | The Culture of the Cold War | 3 |
| SSA 4930 | Special Topics in African Studies | 3 |
| Literary Studies | ||
| ABT 3130 | Arabic Literary Heritage 1 | 3 |
| ABT 4131 | The Qur'an as Literature | 3 |
| CHI 4930 | Special Topics in Chinese Studies | 3 |
| CHT 3110 | Chinese Literary Heritage | 3 |
| CHT 3123 | Pre-Modern Chinese Fiction in Translation | 3 |
| CHT 3124 | Modern Chinese Fiction in Translation | 3 |
| CHT 3302 | Tales of the Strange in Medieval Chinese Literature | 3 |
| CHT 3511 | Chinese Martial Arts Fiction | 3 |
| CHT 4111 | Dream of the Red Chamber | 3 |
| CHT 4603 | Journey to the West | 3 |
| FRT 3004 | Monuments and Masterpieces of France | 3 |
| FRT 3561 | Women in French Literature and/or Cinema | 3-4 |
| GET 3200 | Medieval Literary Culture | 3 |
| GET 3201 | Early Modern Literary Culture | 3 |
| GET 3501 | History, Literature and Arts of Berlin | 3 |
| GET 3580 | Representations of War in Literature and Visual Media | 3 |
| GET 3930 | Variable Topics in German Studies (German Fairy Tales) | 3 |
| GET 4930 | Variable Topics in German Studies | 3 |
| HAT 3503 | Haitian Culture and Literature in Translation | 3 |
| HBR 4930 | Special Topics | 3 |
| HBT 3223 | Identity and Dissent in the Hebrew Short Story | 3 |
| ITT 3431 | Italy and Pilgrimages | 3 |
| ITT 3443 | Dante's Inferno (English) | 3 |
| ITT 3540 | Murder Italian Style: Crime Fiction and Film in Italy | 3 |
| ITT 3700 | The Demolition of Man: Italian Perspectives on the Jewish Holocaust | 3 |
| ITT 3930 | Special Topics in Italian Literature and Culture | 3 |
| JPT 3100 | Tales of Kyoto | 3 |
| JPT 3120 | Modern Japanese Fiction in Translation | 3 |
| JPT 3121 | Contemporary Japanese Literature: Postwar to Postmodern | 3 |
| JPT 3140 | Modern Women Writers | 3 |
| JPT 3150 | Classical Japanese Poetry | 3 |
| JPT 3300 | Samurai War Tales | 3 |
| JPT 3330 | Early Modern Japanese Literature | 3 |
| JPT 3521 | Monsters and Horror in Japan | 3 |
| JPT 4130 | The Tale of Genji | 3 |
| JPT 4502 | Japanese Folklore | 3 |
| JPT 4510 | Representations of Japan's Modern Empire | 3 |
| PLT 3930 | Special Topics in Polish Studies | 3 |
| RUT 3101 | Russian Masterpieces | 3 |
| RUT 3441 | Tolstoy and Dostoevsky | 3 |
| RUT 3442 | Themes from Russian Literature | 3 |
| RUT 3443 | War and Peace | 3 |
| RUT 3452 | Russian Literature of the Twentieth Century | 3 |
| RUT 3503 | Violence and Terror in the Russian Experience | 3 |
| RUT 3506 | Creative Lives: Writers, Artists, and Extraordinary People | 3 |
| RUT 3514 | Russian Fairy Tales | 3 |
| RUT 3530 | Russia's Struggle with Nature: Legacies of Destruction and Preservation | 3 |
| RUT 3600 | The Twentieth Century through Slavic Eyes | 3 |
| RUT 3601 | The Culture of the Cold War | 3 |
| RUT 3930 | Variable Topics in Russian Studies | 3 |
| RUT 4440 | Pushkin and Gogol | 3 |
| RUT 4450 | Russian Modernism | 3 |
| SST 4502 | African Oral Literature | 3 |
| SSW 3303 | Swahili Oral Literature | 3 |
| SSW 4713 | African Women Writers | 3 |
| VTN 4930 | Special Topics in Vietnamese Studies | 3 |
| Medieval and Early Modern Studies | ||
| ARA 3510 | The Arab Woman | 3 |
| CHT 3110 | Chinese Literary Heritage | 3 |
| CHT 3123 | Pre-Modern Chinese Fiction in Translation | 3 |
| CHT 3302 | Tales of the Strange in Medieval Chinese Literature | 3 |
| CHT 3511 | Chinese Martial Arts Fiction | 3 |
| CHT 3513 | Taoism and Chinese Culture | 3 |
| CHT 4111 | Dream of the Red Chamber | 3 |
| CHT 4603 | Journey to the West | 3 |
| GET 3200 | Medieval Literary Culture | 3 |
| GET 3201 | Early Modern Literary Culture | 3 |
| ITT 3431 | Italy and Pilgrimages | 3 |
| ITT 3443 | Dante's Inferno (English) | 3 |
| JPT 3300 | Samurai War Tales | 3 |
| JPT 3330 | Early Modern Japanese Literature | 3 |
| JPT 3521 | Monsters and Horror in Japan | 3 |
| MEM 3003 | Introduction to the Medieval World | 3 |
| MEM 3300 | Castles and Cloisters: An Introduction to Medieval Communities | 3 |
| MEM 3301 | Palaces and Cities: An Introduction to Early Modern Communities | 3 |
| MEM 3730 | Studies in the Holy Roman Empire | 3 |
| MEM 3931 | Variable Topics in Medieval and Early Modern Studies | 3 |