Classical Arabic refers foremost to the language of the Qur’an, and by extension to the vast body of texts shaped by its form and meaning. Students engage directly with seminal works in Islamic law, theology, philosophy, and mysticism from the classical and medieval periods.

Modern Standard Arabic is the shared literary and communicative language of the Middle East and North Africa, and one of the United Nations’ six official languages. It is the medium of nearly all formal discourse—written and spoken—and, as the official language of every Arab country, it offers the most versatile foundation for living, working, or engaging professionally across the Arab world.

The Levantine Dialect Program equips students with the language of daily life—enabling them to communicate naturally and integrate seamlessly into Arab societies. Mastery of ʿAmmiya is an essential step toward achieving native-like proficiency. Courses are offered in the Jordanian, Syrian, and Palestinian dialects.