The Center for Middle Eastern Studies, Harvard University

The Arabic Language Program at Harvard University offers a unique two-track course of study that consists of four years [levels]: elementary, intermediate, advanced and fourth year. All students begin with Arabic A. In the second year students have the option to continue on (1) the classical track, or (2) the modern track.

1. The classical track deals with Arabic texts of the pre-modern period and covers a wide range of primary sources that draw on the vast literature of the medieval Arabo-Islamic literary heritage. These texts span religious (Quran, hadith), legal, historical, literary, and philological topics and disciplines. Emphasis is placed on reading, translation, and grammar analysis. This track is strengthened by constant revisions in the curriculum to meet the specific research needs of students.
2. The modern track aims at developing global proficiency in Modern Standard Arabic as it is currently used throughout the Arab world. Emphasis is equally placed on all four of the basic language skills: reading, listening comprehension, speaking, and writing. Most importantly, the courses draw on a broad cultural context that allows students to acquire basic knowledge of social, cultural and academic institutions that both complement and reinforce the language learning process.