
All participants will take four courses: Modern Arabic, Christian-Muslim Relations, Oman Culture and Society, and Integrative Experiential Learning. Northwestern College will grant 16 credits upon completion of the program. The credits from the Oman semester fulfill Northwestern’s General Education cross-cultural requirement and the foreign language requirement and can also be used toward completing a minor in Middle East Studies and Cultural Studies at Northwestern. Please see John Hubers for more information.
Christian - Muslim Relations – 4 credits
Explores what it means to be a person of faith in a multi-faith world, and how to enter confidently into relationships with people of another faith.
Academic application: Cross-cultural General Education requirement; Equivalent for REL 385 (Religion majors)
Modern Arabic – 6 credits
Arabic is a critical ingredient of the NWC Oman semester, essential for cross-cultural communication and for appreciating Omani culture, history, and society. Centered at the regional city of Ibri three hours outside the capital city of Muscat, the Noor Al Majan Institute, at which students study offers not only high level Arabic instruction from Omani teachers, but the opportunity for conversational practice in a place where English is not as widely spoken as Muscat. No previous Arabic study is required, although students who have had basic level studies can continue their studies at higher levels. One semester of Arabic through this program is equal to one year university-level Arabic.
This course provides a strong foundation for students preparing for careers in foreign service in Arab countries, with corporations who do business in Arab nations, post-graduate degrees in Middle Eastern studies, Islamic studies, and Christian-Muslim Relations.
Academic application: General Education Language requirement
Oman Culture & Society – 4 credits
Readings, lectures and cultural field trips designed to provide a survey of the history, social structure, politics, religion, economy and culture of Oman, a microcosm of the Arab world, taught by a prominent Omani official.
Academic application: Elective credit towards graduation
Integrated Experiential Learning – 2 credits
A course designed to guide students in processing their intercultural experiences enabling them to integrate their discoveries with their sense of identity, their faith, their understanding of Islam and the value system of Arab culture in Oman, as well as their own culture and its place in a global context.
Academic application: Sociology elective credit
