Dr. Mohammad Al-Masri
Phone: (405) 325-5958
Email: mohd@ou.edu
Website: ou.edu/flagship
One of the six official languages of the United Nations, Arabic is spoken by more than 300 million people in more than 20 modern Arab states in the Middle East, spanning from Morocco on the Atlantic Ocean to Oman on the Arabian Gulf. In addition, around 1.3 billion Muslims around the globe use Arabic as the language of their daily religious life.
The modern Middle East is populated by people known for their hospitality and generosity and their rich cultural and intellectual heritage. As the cradle of civilization and the birthplace of three of the world’s great religions, it is home to some of the world’s most important archeological and historical sites. Various cities throughout the Middle East were important centers of learning and civilization for several centuries. The region is also rich in oil and other natural resources, with about two-thirds of the world’s known oil reserves, and sits at an important crossroads for trade and business between East and West.
As quoted from The American Association of Teachers of Arabic, "Events in the Middle East affect our daily lives, and only through the study of Arabic can one gain necessary insights into the cultural, religious, and political forces which motivate the inhabitants of that vital region; insights that our monolingual media seldom provide."
Students graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Arabic. OU offers the only degree in Arabic in Oklahoma. Students may also combine the study of Arabic with other majors and/or minors such as International and Area Studies or Middle Eastern Studies.
Students minoring in Arabic typically have interests in foreign languages, cultures, and history and are eager to gain an understanding of how people understand and experience the world. Many students also enjoy traveling and are able to easily adapt to different experiences. While previous study of the Arabic language is not required, the study of foreign languages and cultures in high school is helpful.
Recently, the National Security Education Program awarded the University of Oklahoma’s International Programs Center a $1.3 million grant to expand the Arabic language program on the Norman campus. The award will be used to offer scholarships for OU students to pursue a five year undergraduate Arabic Flagship program including a yearlong study overseas. More information about the program can be found at: ou.edu/flagship.
Arabic courses include:
OU has numerous study abroad opportunities for students of all majors. Whether you want to take electives, lower-division courses, or major requirements, be sure to check out what education abroad opportunities are available to you through the College of International Studies.
Visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ website to explore the median pay for jobs you can pursue with this degree.
Dr. Mohammad Al-Masri
Phone: (405) 325-5958
Email: mohd@ou.edu
Website: ou.edu/flagship
