Eckerd struggles to add Arabic minor

Over the past few years, students and the Comparative Cultures Collegium (CCU) have been strongly invested in discussing the addition of Arabic minor to Eckerd's language curriculum. The college premiered its Arabic language program last fall with the introduction of an Arabic 101 class taught by part-time professor Youssef Salhi, which progressed into an Arabic 102 class in the spring.

With a strong following of 52 students enrolled in Arabic 101 and 201 classes this semester alone, students and faculty are hungry for a minor in the language.

"Oh my gosh, [a minor] would open so many doors," Chris Smith, a sophomore enrolled in Arabic 201, said. "It shows I'll have experience in the language, open job opportunities and networking. And it would mean a lot to me and all of my colleagues in the Arabic class."

The Arabic language offering was introduced following a student petition led by Amanda Abu-Nab in spring 2009, but the program has been in the works since the introduction of the "Eckerd College Strategic Plan: 2004-2014."

This initiative addressed establishing a Middle East/North African Studies program, including an Arabic language offering. At the midpoint of the program in 2009 the plan's progress was reviewed, and the college authorized a "full-time faculty position in the politics and history of the Middle East starting in 2008-09," which was filled by assistant professor of political science, Fait Muedini.

Though the language has barely had time to spread its roots at the college, strong student interest led to the creation of the Arabic Club last spring.

"[I started the Arabic Club] because I fell in love with the Arabic language, and the other people in my class also seemed pretty enthusiastic about it, so I thought it'd be a good idea," Julia Kraus, senior and president of Arabic Club, said.

The club, which regularly hosts movie nights and events related to Arabic culture, has been a strong proponent of establishing an Arabic minor.

"Right now we are getting as large of a following as possible, getting as many people interested as we can," Kraus said. "And if we round up enough troops, so to speak, hopefully we'll be able to actually get some attention from the administration."

Betty Stewart, Dean of Faculty, assures that student enthusiasm for the minor has not gone unnoticed, citing the numerous emails she received from students asking for a formal program.

"I am excited that we have students excited in Arabic, Professor Salhi has done a great job doing his work, but we do have a procedure when establishing any minor on campus," Stewart said.

To establish a minor, a faculty member with a terminal degree in the proposed field must submit a proposal including a "staffing model" to the College Council (CC). Should the CC pass it, the proposal is sent to the Educational Policy and Program Committee (EP&P). If it passes by a majority vote there, it becomes available to faculty and students. Stewart is the chair for both of these committees.

Kraus and other Arabic-enrolled students are not alone in their efforts for the minor. Members of the CCU, which encompasses six modern languages, international business, anthropology and international studies, are firmly behind the student base.

"I want it, too, I want it just as badly as other people," said Allan Meyers, chair of the CCU and professor of anthropology.

Meyers, who headed the hiring process for an Arabic professor, is familiar with the intricacies of the process for establishing a minor.

"These kinds of things are not as mechanical as they might initially seem."

The requirements for a major are simply listed, but not easily fulfilled. For courses, a minor must offer a 101, 102, 201, 202 and 300-level course for it to be approved, and must be coordinated by a faculty member with a terminal degree in the field, meaning a doctorate or Master of Fine Arts.

One roadblock the collegium needs to overcome is the establishment of a 300-level class. This semester, there are two 101-level courses and one 201-level course offered in Arabic taught by Salhi, with one 102-level and one 202-level course offered in the spring semester.

A caveat is presented here. Because the Arabic program is still in a trial phase, funding has not been allocated for a full-time professor position. The program will require further evaluation to receive the funding needed for the equivalent of a full-time position, allowing for the addition of a 300-level course.

Staffing is also an issue. Salhi does not have a terminal degree in the field, meaning that a faculty member with a terminal degree will need to be brought on staff to oversee the program before the minor can be formally submitted for approval, as required by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Unrelated to requirements, tricky timing has pushed the minor somewhat onto the backburner. The General Education Revision, which launched Oct. 7, examines the entire general educational curriculum in a two-year process to revise current general education programs.

"There is no better or worse [time for an Arabic minor]," Stewart said, "but given the enormity of this process it takes priority over the minor."

Realistically, a minor will not materialize for two to three years, but Stewart says continued interest in the program from incoming and current students is an essential foothold in creating a "coherent and sustainable program at Eckerd."

"Students have done the right thing," Stewart said. "They have shown support and brought to the attention of the administration. At this point we take it in for discussion and weigh against the needs for the academic program."

If students feel strongly about this issue, they can contact the Arabic Club at krausja@eckerd.edu for ways to get involved.