Academic Program

The Arabic Program at Swarthmore offers a regular major and an honors major through the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, as well as a minor and an honors minor in Arabic language, literature, and culture. Arabic can also be pursued as a specialty in both the Linguistics and Comparative Literature trans-disciplinary majors.

At Swarthmore, first-year Arabic has no prerequisites and is open to everyone except native speakers. Introductory and Intermediate Arabic are intensive courses that carry 1.5 credits per semester. Students engage in the sequential three-year Arabic language curriculum - with classes offered yearly - to achieve early Arabic proficiency. This prepares them for enrollment in Advanced Arabic Seminars to deepen their knowledge, linguistic capabilities, and research skills in Arabic. Studying abroad is particularly recommended for students who want to develop proficiency for research or fieldwork. Courses about literature in translation, culture, and film are also open to all students when available, and students are encouraged to take other cross-listed humanities and social science courses related to the Arab world. As a Tri-College language program, Arabic language and literature courses are always offered at all levels between Swarthmore, Bryn Mawr, and Haverford Colleges, with additional coursework available at the University of Pennsylvania. 

 To apply for a major or minor in Arabic, speak with the chair or one of your professors to discuss your options and then follow the process described by the Dean's and Registrar's Offices for your Sophomore Plan.