Arabic has become one of the most popular languages taught at American universities, due to the contemporary political importance of the Arab world and because of a growing desire in the West to understand Islam from its original sources. Zaytuna College intends to meet this demand by becoming a preeminent institution for the teaching and study of Arabic.
The curriculum for the Arabic major is carefully designed to teach the syntax, grammar, morphology, rhetorical devices, and literature associated with Arabic, as well as to focus on the language’s devotional applications, such as proper pronunciation (tajwid) and Qur’anic usage. Students majoring in this program will graduate with a command of the language that allows them to read and comprehend classical Arabic texts and prepares them for their lifelong journey toward mastery.
Areas of Study for Arabic Language Major back to top
Qur’anic Recitation (Tajwid):
Students will study the reading, writing, and articulation of the Arabic language and will learn the fundamental rules of Qur’anic recitation. Students will also be required to memorize designated portions of the Qur’anic text.
Rhetoric (Balaghah):
The study of Arabic rhetoric will familiarize students with the art of communication and persuasion. Students will study the basic divisions of Arabic rhetoric.
Etymology (Fiqh al-Lughah):
Students will become acquainted with the roots and origins of words as well as their classical and modern usage, which will enable them to place words and expressions in their proper contexts.
Hermeneutics (Usul al-Tafsir):
Students will learn the conventional and figurative connotations of words and the linguistic principles that govern coherent interpretations of legal and scriptural Arabic texts. A special emphasis will be placed on a thematic study of the Qur’an based upon its aims and objectives vis a vis the human condition. This area of study will include readings from the major commentary traditions.
Grammar (Nahw) and Morphology (Sarf):
Arabic grammar and morphology, the study of word declension in nouns and verbs, are both branches of syntax. Students will learn the rules pertinent to Arabic grammar and study the various patterns found in verbs and nouns, and the meanings connoted by each.
Literature (Adab):
Students will study both pre-Islamic and Islamic poetry, with an emphasis on learning the poetic meters (‘arud) and how to extract the rich meaning found in Arabic poetry. Students will also read works of prose and popular Arabic literature to increase their understanding and appreciation of the language.
Course Listings back to top
The four-year Bachelor’s degree program in Arabic Language requires a total of 137 units of course work. (78 units that satisfy the major and specialization and 59 units of general education courses). Courses in Arabic language count toward fulfilling the general education requirement in the first two years. The 78 units for the major are further subdivided into 30 lower-division units and 48 upper-division units. Students are also required to complete 6 units in Civic Engagement and Community Service prior to graduation. (Course descriptions for the first year, as well as the proposed four-year curriculum, are available below.)
Year 1 | 1st Semester
| 3 units | Islamic History: Seventh Century to 1492 |
| 3 units | English Composition |
| 3 units | Introduction to Islamic Theology |
| 4 units | Intermediate Arabic 1 |
| 3 units | Islamic Law 1: Prayer and Fasting |
Year 1 | 2nd Semester
| 3 units | Islamic History: 1492 to Present |
| 3 units | Introduction to Economics |
| 3 units | Islamic Law 2: Zakat and Pilgrimage |
| 3 units | Ancient Civilizations |
| 4 units | Intermediate Arabic 2 |
Year 2 | 1st Semester
| 3 units | Islamic Law: History and Development |
| 3 units | Advanced Arabic 1 |
| 3 units | Introduction to Comparative Politics |
| 3 units | Introduction to Critical Thinking and Logic |
| 3 units | Astronomy |
| 3 units | Prophetic Biography |
Year 2 | 2nd Semester
| 3 units | Cosmology |
| 3 units | Advanced Arabic 2 |
| 3 units | Introduction to Qur’anic Sciences |
| 3 units | Introduction to Hadith Sciences |
| 3 units | Introduction to Rhetoric |
Year 3 | 1st Semester
| 3 units | Advanced Arabic Grammar |
| 3 units | Colloquial Arabic |
| 3 units | Classical Arabic Literature |
| 3 units | Introduction to Philosophy |
| 3 units | Introduction to Linguistics |
| 3 units | Statistics and Quantitative Reasoning |
Year 3 | 2nd Semester
| 3 units | Classical Arabic Poetry |
| 3 units | Modern Arabic Literature |
| 3 units | Introduction to Jurisprudential Principles 1 |
| 3 units | American Constitutional Law |
| 3 units | Translation Methods and Approaches |
| 3 units | Islamic Spirituality |
Year 4 | 1st Semester
| 3 units | Comparative Religion |
| 3 units | Arabic Sirah |
| 3 units | Arabic Literature: Qur’anic Narratives |
| 3 units | Advanced Arabic Composition and Conversation |
| 3 units | Islamic Theology: Muslim Apologia |
Year 4 | 2nd Semester
| 3 units | Christian and Jewish Arabic Literature |
| 3 units | Muslims in America: History, Development, and Future Prospects |
| 3 units | Senior Arabic Thesis |
| 3 units | Mystical Arabic Literature |
| 3 units | Contemporary Arabic Media |
