Welcome

Welcome to our Arabic Studies website at the Department of Anthropology, The University of Monanta. The University of Montana has been offering courses in Arabic for more than a decade. Interest and enrollment in Arabic studies have always been on the rise.

In spring 2012, the academic Minor in Arabic Studies has been approved.

Currently, the program offers three levels of Arabic language as well as courses in English that address the history, cultures, politics, etc. of the Arab world.

STARTALK MASI 2012

Congratulations: Diversity Awards

Right to Left: Noah Sohl, Professor Samir Bitar, Julie DeSoto, and Noah Engbrecht

Three of our students of Arabic received The University of Montana's Diversity Advisory Council Student Achievement Awards - 2011-2012. Julie, Noah 1, and Noah 2, we are very proud of you!

Congratulations: CLS

to

• Brian M. Wemple,
• Julie A. DeSoto, and
• Nicole T. Allen

on receiving Critical Language Scholarships (CLS) -- fully funded by the US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Brian, Julie and Nicole will spend seven to ten weeks in one of the Arab countries (Egypt, Morocco, Oman, or Jordan) during summer 2012. We are very proud of our current and previous CLS scholars.

تهانينا للجميع، ونتمنى لكم التوفيق والنجاح

News

• The Minor in Arabic Studies has been approved. Requirements for the minor are here.
• Pending successful completion of courses being taken in Spring 2012, seven students are graduating with a Minor in Arabic Studies.
• Three students of Arabic have received Critical Language Scholarships (CLS), sponosred by the US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Students will spend seven to ten weeks in Arabic-speaking countries.
• Our STARTALK program, the Montana Arabic Summer Institute (MASI) 2012 will be held from June 18th to July 13th. Click here for more information.
• Dr. Khaled Huthaily is now serving as the Head of the Arabic Studies Program and Academic Advisor for the Arabic Studies Minor.
• Professor Samir Bitar has been contacted by the Middle East Studies Institute, at the Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) to publish his article on Palestinian diaspora at the Journal of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies in Asia (JMEISA). A link to the article will available after publication.
• ANTY 491: Islamic Law is offered by Dr. Jeff Rentz, Director of Criminal Defense Clinic & Professor of Law. Course is accepted as an elective for Minor in Arabic Studies students.
• New ARAB courses: [link]

Who Speaks Arabic?

Arabic is a southwest Semitic language that is spoken by approximately 280 million speakers around the world. It is spoken as the first language in all the countries of the Arabian Peninsula (i.e., Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine/Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen) as well as in the Arab countries of Africa (i.e., Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia). These countries are collectively referred to as the Arab world. Arabic is also used as a liturgical language in some countries of Asia (e.g., Iran, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) and Africa (e.g., Chad and Nigeria).

So, open your windows to the world and speak Arabic!