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The Arabic studies program at IUPUI focuses on Modern Standard Arabic, the formal written and spoken language found in official publications (newspapers, books) and formal settings (news programs, academic presentations). The curriculum also incorporates classical Arabic and regional dialects (including Egyptian, Levantine, and other variants) that reflect how educated native speakers communicate.
As the primary language across 22 Middle Eastern nations, Arabic has over 400 million native speakers and holds status as one of the six United Nations official languages. Students master Modern Standard Arabic - the literary standard for written materials and formal speech. The program explores Arab cultural heritage and its historical impact on global civilization. Through the Individualized Major Program, students can create a customized Arabic Studies major (minimum 34 credit hours) that combines language proficiency with cultural immersion.