<p>When I took my campus tour in the spring, my guide mentioned something about an Arabic language department being developed. I was wondering if anybody knows if this is true, and if so when students will be able to take classes in it? I'm really excited to attend Macalester, but the limited amount of languages offerred disappoints me (I want to start studying a language in addition to French sophomore year).</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>They're developing a Middle Eastern Studies concentration (a major, but one that is made up mostly of classes from other departments) and will have Arabic as part of the new department. They're aiming to have Arabic starting fall 2007, but of course it could take a semester or two longer than planned. In the meantime, there are a lot of Mac kids taking Arabic at St. Thomas, a mile down the road, though I've heard mixed things about it there. There are also one or two good Arabic courses offered by organizations in the Twin Cities, and I've heard good things about those.</p>