Arabic Program at USC

Did you know that Arabic is the native language of more than 300 million people in the Arab world, a region that spans Northwest Africa to Southwest Asia? It is the fifth most spoken language in the world and one of the five official languages of the U.N. Its study is essential for learning about the cultural, economic, political, and religious contexts of the Middle East and further afield, and makes a great foundation for many future careers.

Program Faculty

Dr. Nancy S. Linthicum
Assistant Professor of Arabic Studies
Arabic Program Director
linthicn@mailbox.sc.edu

Through our classes in Arabic language and on Arab culture, you will gain valuable language skills and cultural knowledge that you can use toward your major and beyond the classroom in a wide range of careers, including government, business and finance, law, nonprofit/NGO work, education, healthcare, and more.

Enroll in classes today and join a community of more than 422 million Arabic speakers worldwide!

يلا نتكلم عربي!

Language Requirement

Successful completion of ARAB 121 and ARAB 122 satisfies the foreign language requirement for all colleges at UofSC.

Placement exam dates for 2024: to be announced.

Arabic is not only the language of the Quran but has also influenced the vocabulary of science, math and philosophy due to the historic contributions of Arabic-speaking scholars. Today, it remains a vital language for understanding global political, social and economic issues.

The University of South Carolina’s Arabic program emphasizes a proficiency-based approach, integrating language learning with culture, literature, cinema, music and food. Students learn Arabic as a living, dynamic language—engaging with topics from politics and culture to television, film and everyday life.

Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures