Foreign Languages and Literatures
The Arabic language is the key to understanding the culture and history of North Africa, the Middle East, and the Arabian Peninsula. Arabic is also the liturgical language of more than a billion Muslims, and it is one of the six official languages of the United Nations. The Arabic specialization of the Foreign Languages and Literatures major enables students to develop an appreciation for the complexity of the many facets of the Arab world: its society, culture, history, arts, religions, and literary heritage.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.
Critical TrackingModel Semester Plan
Overview
The B.A. in Foreign Languages and Literatures (FLL) provides students with a comprehensive knowledge of a specific language (or languages) and advanced familiarity with the cultural practices and traditions associated with the language(s) of specialization. The major in FLL enhances critical thinking and communication skills and provides students with a cross-cultural understanding of our contemporary world. The program allows students the flexibility to explore a single or dual language specialization as well as the opportunity to study culture through interdisciplinary fields of critical concentration, such as Comparative Cultural Studies, Film and Visual Culture, Intensive Area Studies, Literary Studies, and Medieval and Early Modern Studies. A major in FLL offers an excellent basis for a variety of careers, including graduate study in an area of foreign language and culture and/or in the humanities and social sciences, as well as careers in education, international development, diplomacy and government, national security, communications, law, journalism, arts and culture, publishing, and global business. Participation in UF study-abroad programs or a UF approved program is highly encouraged.
Foreign Languages and Literatures Options
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.
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Coursework 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 hours 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.
Required Foundation Coursework: 18 credits
- ARA 1130 Beginning Arabic 1, 5 credits
- ARA 1131 Beginning Arabic 2, 5 credits
- ARA 2220 Intermediate Arabic 1, 4 credits
- ARA 2221 Intermediate Arabic 2, 4 credits
Required Core Coursework: 33 credits
Advanced Language and Culture: 12 credits
- ARA 3410 Advanced Arabic 1, 3 credits
- ARA 3411 Advanced Arabic 2, 3 credits
- ARA 4400 Fourth Year Arabic 1, 3 credits
- ARA 4420 Arabic through the Texts, 3 credits
Advanced Elective Coursework: 12 credits
- ABT 3130 Arabic Literary Heritage 1, 3 credits
- ABT 3500 Arabic Culture, 3 credits
- ABT 4131 The Qur'an as Literature, 3 credits
- ARA 3510 The Arab Woman, 3 credit
- ARA 4401 Fourth Year Arabic 2, 3 credits
- ARA 4822 Arabic Sociolinguistics, 3 credits
- ARA 4850 Structure of Standard Arabic, 3 credits
- ARA 4905 Individual Work, 3 credits max.
- ARA 4930 Special Topics in Arabic, 3 credits
Critical Concentration: 9 credits from one concentration
Although courses may appear in more than one group they may be counted toward only one group
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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 nine-week summer UF-sponsored program in the Arabic Language Institute in Fez (ALIF) in Morocco. The program offers students the opportunity to earn 11 credit hours (only 6 may be transferred as part of the Required Foundation Coursework). More information.
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.
Research
Students with an upper-division GPA of 3.5 are encouraged to write a thesis for high or highest honors at graduation.
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Critical Tracking
Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.
For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3
- ARA 1130 or higher-level Arabic Language course with a minimum grade of C
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 4
- Complete ARA 1131 or higher-level Arabic Language course with a minimum grade of C and a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 5
- Complete ARA 2220 or a higher-level Arabic Language course with a minimum grade of C and a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
- 2.0 UF GPA required
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Model Semester Plan
Students are expected to complete the writing requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.
This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
| ARA 1131 Beginning Arabic 2 |
5 |
IUF 1000 What is the Good Life
GE-H |
3 |
Biological or Physical Science
Area not taken in semester 1, GE-B or P |
3 |
Mathematics
State Core GE-M |
3 |
Science laboratory
GE-P or B |
1 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
| ARA 2220 Intermediate Arabic 1 |
4 |
Humanities
State Core GE-H |
3 |
Mathematics
GE-M |
3 |
Physical Science
GE-P |
3 |
Social and Behavioral Sciences
GE-S |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
| ARA 2221 Intermediate Arabic 2 |
4 |
Advanced elective
In the major |
3 |
Electives
3000 level or above, not in major |
6
|
Social and Behavioral Sciences
GE-S and D |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
| ARA 3410 Advanced Arabic 1 |
3 |
| Critical Concentration course |
3 |
Biological Science
GE-B |
3 |
Composition
GE-C; WR |
3 |
Advanced elective
In the major |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
| ARA 3411 Advanced Arabic 2 |
3 |
Advanced elective
In the major |
3 |
Elective
3000 level or above, not in major |
3 |
| Electives |
5 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
ARA 4400 Fourth Year Arabic 1
GE-H and N |
3 |
| Critical Concentration course |
3 |
Advanced elective
In the major |
3 |
Elective
3000 level or above, not in major |
3 |
Elective or
Senior thesis option |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| ARA 4420 Arabic through the Texts |
3 |
| Critical Concentration course |
3 |
Electives
3000 level or above, not in major |
6 |
| Elective |
3
|
| Total |
15 |
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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
| Course |
Credits |
|---|
| Comparative Cultural Studies |
| ABT 3500 Arabic Culture |
3 |
| ABT 4131 The Qur'an as Literature |
3 |
| ARA 3510 The Arab Woman |
3 |
| CHT 3500 Chinese Culture |
3 |
| CHT 3513 Taoism & Chinese Culture |
3 |
| CZT 3564 Modern Czech Culture & Society |
3 |
| FRT 3004 Monuments & Masterpieces of France |
3 |
| FRT 3561 Women in French Lit/Cinema |
3-4 |
| GET 3003 German Culture & Civilization 1 |
3 |
| GET 3004 Modern German Culture & Civilization |
3 |
| GET 3930 German Fairy Tales |
3 |
| HAI 3930 Haitian Culture & Society |
3 |
| HAT 3564 Haitian Culture & Society |
3 |
| ITT 3540 Crime Fiction & Film in Italy |
3 |
| ITT 3700 Italian Perspectives on Holocaust |
3 |
| ITT 3930 Special Topics in Italian |
3 |
| JPT 3500 Japanese Culture |
3 |
| JPT 4502 Japanese Folklore |
3 |
| RUT 3443 War and Peace |
3 |
| RUT3500 Russian Cultural Heritage |
3 |
| RUT 3501 Contemporary Russian Culture & Society |
3 |
| RUT 3503 Violence & Terror in 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: Lagacies of Destruction and Preservation |
3 |
| RUT 3600 The Twentieth Century through Slavic Eyes |
3 |
| RUT 4450 Russian Modernism |
3 |
| VTT 3500 Vietnamese Culture |
3 |
| YOT 3500 Yoruba Diaspora in New World |
3 |
| Film and Visual Culture |
| CHI 4930 Special Topics in Chinese |
3 |
| CHT 3391 Chinese Film and Media |
4 |
| CHT 3523 Hong Kong, Taiwan and Global Cinema |
4 |
| FRT 3520 French Cinema |
4 |
| FRT 3561 Women in French Lit/Cinema |
3-4 |
| FRT 4523 Euro Identities, Euro Cinema |
4 |
| GET 3520 Early German Cinema |
4 |
| GET 3580 War in Lit/Visual Media |
3 |
| GET 4521 Women and German Cinema |
4 |
| GET 4523 New German Cinema 1945-Present |
4 |
| GET 4930 Variable Topics in German |
3 |
| HBR 4930 Special Topics |
3 |
| ITT 3521 Italian Cinema |
4 |
| ITT 3540 Crime Fiction & Film in Italy |
3 |
| ITT 3541 Italian Mafia Movies |
3 |
| ITT 3930 Special Topics in Italian |
3 |
| JPN 4930 Special Topics in Japanese |
3 |
| JPT 3391 Intro to Japanese Film |
4 |
| PLT 3520 Polish Cinema |
4 |
| RUT 3524 Russia Through Film |
3 |
| SSA 4930 Special Topics: African Film |
3 |
| Literary Studies |
| ABT 3130 Arabic Literary Heritage |
3 |
| ABT 4131 The Qur'an as Literature |
3 |
| CHI 4930 Special Topics in Chinese |
3 |
| CHT 3110 Chinese Literary Heritage |
3 |
| CHT 3123 Pre-modern Chinese Fiction |
3 |
| CHT 3124 Modern Chinese Fiction |
3 |
| CHT 4111 Dream of the Red Chamber |
3 |
| CHT 4603 Journey to the West |
3 |
| FRT 3004 Monuments & Masterpieces of France |
3 |
| FRT 3561 Women in French Lit/Cinema |
3-4 |
| GET 3200 Literature of Knighthood |
3 |
| GET 3501 History, Literature, Arts of Berlin |
3 |
| GET 3580 War in Lit/Visual Media |
3 |
| GET 3930 German Fairy tales |
3 |
| GET 4930 Variable Topics in German |
3 |
| HAT 3503 Haitian Culture and Literature in Translation |
3 |
| HBR 4930 Special Topics in Hebrew |
3 |
| HBT 3223 Identity/Dissent in Hebrew Short Story |
3 |
| HBT 3563 Women in Mod. Hebrew Fiction |
3 |
| HBT 3564 Motherhood Mod. Hebrew Lit. |
3 |
| ITT 3431 Italy & Pilgrimages |
3 |
| ITT 3540 Crime Fiction & Film in Italy |
3 |
| ITT 3700 Italian Perspectives Holocaust |
3 |
| ITT 3930 Special Topics Italian |
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 4130 Tale of Genji |
3 |
| JPT 4502 Japanese Folklore |
3 |
| PLT 3930 Special Topics in Polish |
3 |
| RUT 3101 Russian Masterpieces |
3 |
| RUT 3441 Tolstoy & Dostoevsky |
3 |
| RUT 3442 Themes from Russian Literature |
3 |
| RUT 3443 War and Peace |
3 |
| RUT 3452 Russian Literature of the 20th Century |
3 |
| RUT 3503 Violence & Terror in 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 3930 Variable Topics Russian |
3 |
| RUT 4440 Pushkin & Gogol |
3 |
| RUT 4450 Russian Modernism |
3 |
| SST 4502 African Oral Literatures |
3 |
| SSW 3303 Swahili Oral Literatures |
3 |
| SSW 4713 African Women Writers |
3 |
| VTN 4930 Special Topics in Vietnamese |
3 |
| YOR 4502 Yoruba Oral Literatures |
3 |
| Medieval and Early Modern Studies |
| ARA 3510 The Arab Woman |
3 |
| CHT 3123 Pre-modern Chinese 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 Literature of Knighthood |
3 |
| ITT 3431 Italy and Pilgrimages |
3 |
| JPT 3300 Samurai War Tales |
3 |
| MEM 3003 Intro to Medieval World |
3 |
| MEM 3300 Castles and Cloisters |
3 |
| MEM 3301 Palaces and Cities |
3 |
| MEM 3730 Studies in Holy Roman Empire |
3 |
| MEM 3805 Research Methods in Medieval & Early Modern |
1 |
| MEM 3931 Topics Medieval & Early Modern |
3 |
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Related Arabic Programs
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