Arabic Foundations for Diplomats: Language, Culture, and Beyond
An Introductory Course for Emerging Global Leaders
This virtual course offers a practical and engaging introduction to Modern Standard Arabic, designed specifically for diplomats and professionals working in international contexts. Through a focus on everyday communication, participants will acquire essential language skills for diplomatic settings while gaining key insights into the cultural norms, historical references, and social contexts that shape communication across the Arab world.
Serving as the first in a broader series, this course lays the groundwork not only for confident interaction but also for future explorations into the rich cultural, historical, and religious dimensions of the region. Whether preparing for a posting or seeking to deepen regional fluency, participants will leave with tools to navigate both conversation and context with greater confidence and cultural sensitivity.
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June 17 – July 10, 2025 11:00 am – 12:30 pm, on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays Online, Georgetown University in Qatar Price for the course: USD 1,800* Contact Zaubash Shakir at zs150@georgetown.edu for more information. *Discounts available for corporate groups of 3 or more individuals and QF Alumni. |
About the Instructor
Abdul Rahman M. Chamseddine is Assistant Teaching Professor of Arabic at Georgetown University in Qatar. His research primarily focuses on the history of Arabic terminology of early Islam, particularly Quranic terms that describe religious identities.
He has authored several books, including Qur’anic Identities (Arab Institute for Research and Publishing, 2023), Spoken Arabic (Dar Kunouz, 2023), The Arabic Vocab-Tionary: 2500 Essentials (Kendall Hunt, 2022), and Contemporary Islamic Reflections (Dar Nelson, 2022). His forthcoming book project, Listening to the Sacred, is expected to shed light on the oral recitation nature of the Qur’anic language.
In addition to his academic contributions, Professor Chamseddine has organized cultural events and initiatives for students, and he has helped establish the Pardon the Interruption and the Arabic Corner programs.
Professor Chamseddine received his B.A. in comparative religion from the Institute of Muslim-Christian Studies at Saint Joseph University of Beirut, his M.A. in history from the American University of Beirut, and his Ph.D. in Islamic Studies from Georgetown University. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for High Achievement from the Higher Institute for Islamic Studies at the Makassed University of Beirut.