Arabic :: Swarthmore College

Swarthmore College offers courses in Arabic language, literature, and culture. The Arabic program, though based in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, is an integral part of Islamic Studies at Swarthmore. The Arabic program also supports the programs of Asian Studies and Comparative Literature.

Students of Arabic can take advantage of a rich environment for language study, including intensive introductory and intermediate language courses, chat hours with native speakers, multimedia resources, and opportunities for study abroad. The Arabic Section supports a variety of activities that help to increase familiarity with Arab culture, such as film series, guest speakers, and a weekly Arabic-language table.

Arabic Section of Modern Languages and Literatures
Kohlberg Hall
Swarthmore College
500 College Avenue
Swarthmore, PA 19081

Email: mll@swarthmore.edu
Phone: (610) 328-8143
Fax: (610) 328-7769

Omar Offendum: Hip-Hop, Poetry, & Peace

Offendum, a Syrian American hip-hop artist, performed and met with students in Fall 2014.

Cultivating Seeds of Hope

Read about lecturer Brahim El Guabli's efforts to bring literacy to villages, like the one where he grew up, in Morocco's High Atlas Mountains.

Faculty watch as Khaled al-Saai provides calligraphy demo

Professor Brian Meunier practices calligraphy

Student receiving aid with her calligraphy stroke

Khaled al-Saai providing a calligraphy demo

Students and faculty gather for calligraphy demo

Photo /

1 of 10

Culture Context of Arabic Music

Watch a video of acclaimed Lebanese composer Marcel Khalife performing with a dozen students who are learning both singing and percussion in the Arabic Studies course "Culture Context of Arabic Music."

Language Media Lab

The Language Media Lab provides resources to enhance the study of foreign language, literature, and culture at Swarthmore College. Students have access to audio/video materials required for foreign language classes. The lab's resources include 12 Macbook Pros, 8 iMacs, an extensive library of foreign films, video cameras, and audio recorders. The space is a unique, adaptable, multimedia-friendly place to study, practice and develop language skills.

Learn More