Arabic Studies, Minor
This is the first version of the 2026–27 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.
The undergraduate minor in Arabic studies requires a minimum of 16 s.h. earned in Arabic courses (prefix ARAB) considered intermediate (numbered 2000–2999) or advanced (numbered 3000 or above). A maximum of 3 s.h. may be taken in approved coursework taught in English. At least 12 s.h. must be taken at the University of Iowa. Students must maintain a grade-point average of at least 2.00 in all courses for the minor and in all UI courses for the minor. Coursework in the minor may not be taken pass/nonpass. CLAS minors may only be earned concurrent with or subsequent to earning a University of Iowa bachelor's degree. They cannot be granted as standalone credentials or as the sole program of study completed at the University of Iowa.
Required Coursework
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| ARAB:2001 | Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic I | 5 |
| ARAB:2002 | Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic II | 5 |
| At least one Arabic course (ARAB) numbered 2000 or above taught in Arabic | 3 | |
Courses Taught in English
Students may apply 3 s.h. of the following approved coursework taught in English toward the minor.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ARAB:2006 | Transnational Solidarities | 3 |
| ARAB:2010 | The Modern Arabic Short Story | 3 |
| ARAB:2012 | Modern Palestinian Literature and Culture | 3 |
| ARAB:2060 | Arab-American Immigration: Society, Identity, and Culture | 3 |
| ARAB:3005 | Culture and Resistance: The Modern Middle East | 3 |
| Related elective (program approval required) | 3 | |
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Arabic Studies, Minor
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| The undergraduate minor in Arabic studies requires a minimum of 16 s.h. earned in Arabic courses (prefix ARAB) considered intermediate (numbered 2000-2999) or advanced (numbered 3000 or above). | ||
| At least 12 s.h. must be taken at the University of Iowa. | ||
| Students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.00 in all courses for the minor and in all UI courses for the minor. | ||
| Coursework in the minor may not be taken pass/non-pass. | ||
| A maximum of 3 s.h. may be taken in approved coursework taught in English. a | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ARAB:1001 | Elementary Modern Standard Arabic I b, c | 5 |
| Hours | 5 | |
| Spring | ||
| ARAB:1002 | Elementary Modern Standard Arabic II b, c | 5 |
| Hours | 5 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ARAB:2001 | Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic I c | 5 |
| Hours | 5 | |
| Spring | ||
| ARAB:2002 | Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic II c | 5 |
| Hours | 5 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Minor: Arabic course (ARAB) numbered 2000 or above taught in Arabic d | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Minor: Arabic course (ARAB) numbered 2000 or above (may be taught in Arabic or English) d | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 26 | |
- a
- See General Catalog for approved courses.
- b
- This course is a prerequisite for the required minor courses.
- c
- Language level placement will be determined by placement exam score and/or oral interview. Students who place into the 5th semester level of the language will begin coursework at that level and will not be required to take semesters 1-4 of the language.
- d
- Work with academic advisor to select appropriate course.