ACADEMIC PROGRAMS  //  Check out our academic programs for the 2023-2024 academic year

Fluency Program

Fluency in Arabic

Overview

This program offers undergraduate and graduate students, teachers and academics from any field the possibility of mastering Spoken and Modern Standard Arabic. Students will be able to cover all the levels of the language of choice from a total beginner's level to acquire reading, writing, and speaking proficiency, with the option to take additional theoretical and practical courses closely linked to the target language’s cultural milieu.

The application form is available online and in printable format. Scholarships are also available for this program.

Enrollment

Open

Program Dates

Aug 30, 2023 – Jun 26, 2024

Program Length

2 Years

Location

Jerusalem

Courses

Mandatory Courses

First Year: 2023–2024
Second Year: 2024-2025
Language CoursesECTS
Spoken Arabic24.0
Modern Standard Arabic20.0
Arabic Readings3.0
Theoretical & Practical CoursesECTS
Introduction to Arabic Philology1.5
Arabic Philosophy1.5
Language CoursesECTS
Spoken Arabic24.0
Modern Standard Arabic16.0
Arabic Readings3.0

Students with no prior knowledge of the target language must start with Level I. Students with prior knowledge must complete a written and oral placement test in order to qualify into higher levels.

Theoretical & Practical CoursesECTS
Applied Philology Seminar 2: Arabic in Media1.5
Introduction to Arabic Literature2.0
Speech in Arabic6.0

Elective Courses

Students may register for extra courses from the Elective list below over the two years without additional fees. Elective registrations outside of this amount will be subject to the regular course fee as listed in the Administrative Office. Elective courses are subject to change.

Language CoursesECTS
Biblical Hebrew20.0
Biblical Hebrew60.0
Classical Syriac5.0
Coptic3.0
Modern Hebrew50.0
Biblical Hebrew Readings3.0
Theoretical & Practical CoursesECTS
Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Philology1.5
Lexicon, Code, and Interaction2.0
Syntax of Natural Languages2.0
Phonetics and Phonology2.0
Derivational Morphology2.0
Introduction to Arabic Philology1.5
Applied Philology Seminar 1: Arabic Folklore & Popular Stories4.0
Islamic Modernity in Modern and Contemporary Arab Thought1.5
Jerusalem Communities1.0
Jerusalem Codices and Communities in the Middle Ages2.0
The Human Person - Part I: Historical Overview // Part II: Manifestations of the Human Being4.0
The Notion of God According to the Tanakh, Christian Bible and Qur'an2.0
Jewish Feasts0.5
Semitic Palaeography1.5
Applied Philology Seminar 3-6: Practicum40.0
Qumran Hebrew Readings (taught in Hebrew)2.0
Mishnaic Hebrew Readings2.0
Seminar Paper10.0
Historical Geography8.0
History of the Near East5.0
Selected Near Eastern Language4.0
Issues in Semitic Languages1.5
The Genre of Parables in Gospels and Early Jewish Texts1.5

Mandatory Academic Hours

955.0

Minimum Elective Academic Hours

250.0

Total Academic Hours

1205.0

Emphasis in Teaching Ancient & Modern Languages

MA graduates and students registered in the second year of the MA or have the equivalent language level according to the Polis method may apply to the Emphasis in Teaching Ancient & Modern Languages, a track that focuses on the particularities of teaching languages in an immersive setting. Students following this track will gain first-hand experience in teaching and the ability to participate in methodological courses and workshops. Registration for the Emphasis track grants an additional 8.5 ECTS free of charge.

Theoretical & Practical CoursesECTS
Issues in Teaching Ancient Languages1.5
Workshops3.0
Assistant Teaching4.0
Entry Requirements
How to Apply
Scholarships
Fees
Syllabus

Entry Requirements

  • A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
  • Students are expected to be fluent in English.

Admissions

Please prepare the following documents in order to apply. Application can be submitted online or by mail.

  • A filled application form
  • A letter of motivation
  • Two academic letters of recommendation
    Letters of recommendation must be sent directly by each reference (both through email or post).
  • A copy of your B.A. diploma or equivalent with description of courses and grades
    Transcripts must be sent directly from each university
  • CV or résumé
  • A copy of the main page of your passport, with Israeli stamps if applicable
  • Two passport photographs
    Passport photos should be sent by post. Candidates who submit their applications after May 1 may submit clear digital passport photos.
  • Application Fee of 600 NIS

All documents must be submitted as PDF. Files should include the candidate’s family name followed by the item name (ex: Rodriguez passport copy). Documents can be sent individually.

Applications are examined by the Academic Board, which decides on the admission in the weeks following the submission of the full application.

Scholarships

Callimachus

Full tuition | One Academic Year | 15 hrs/wk of volunteer work

Callimachus is a full tuition scholarship discount for one academic year. The recipient of this scholarship will be required to fulfill 15 hours of volunteer work per week during the academic year.

The recipient will maintain the Polis Academic Library collection and catalogue, as well as supervise fellow student
volunteers in the various tasks necessary for the successful operation of the library.

Prerequisites: Applicants should be registered students at Polis. Candidates should also have previous library experience and at least a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in one of the fields of Humanities.

NB: This grant is subject to the General Requisites of the Grant Fund, which can be found on the application form and upon request from the Administrative Office. These policies are in effect for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Deadline: March 15, 2023

Hierosolyma

13 000 NIS | One Academic Year | 10 hrs/wk of volunteer work

Hierosolyma is a 13,000 NIS scholarship in the form of a tuition discount for one academic year. Students who receive this grant will be required to fulfill 10 hours of volunteer work per week during the academic year.

Prerequisites: All applicants should be students of the MA, One Year, or Fluency program at Polis or have begun the application process for the program. All applicants will be required to submit a writing sample once the application form and other documents have been submitted.

NB: This grant is subject to the General Requisites of the Grant Fund, which can be found on the application form and upon request from the Administrative Office. These policies are in effect for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Deadline: March 15, 2023

Origen

6 000 NIS | One Academic Year | 7 hrs/wk of volunteer work

Origen is a 6,000 NIS scholarship in the form of a tuition discount for one academic year. Students who receive this grant will be required to fulfill 7 hours of volunteer work per week during the academic year.

Prerequisites: All applicants should be students of the MA, One Year, or Fluency program at Polis or have begun the application process for the program. All applicants will be required to submit a writing sample once the application form and other documents have been submitted.

NB: This grant is subject to the General Requisites of the Grant Fund, which can be found on the application form and upon request from the Administrative Office. These policies are in effect for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Deadline: March 15, 2023

Plato

19 500 NIS | One Academic Year | 12 hrs/wk of volunteer work

Plato is a 19,500 NIS scholarship in the form of a tuition discount for one academic year. Students who receive this grant will be required to fulfill 12 hours of volunteer work per week during the academic year.

Prerequisites: All applicants should be students of the MA, One Year, or Fluency program at Polis or have begun the application process for the program. All applicants will be required to submit a writing sample once the application form and other documents have been submitted.

NB: This grant is subject to the General Requisites of the Grant Fund, which can be found on the application form and upon request from the Administrative Office. These policies are in effect for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Deadline: March 15, 2023

Fees

Application Fee

ILS 600

For processing the application

Registration Fee

ILS 5000

For language courses: To book a seat in the course, the student needs to pay the full tuition or the registration fee.

For academic programs: Students who have been accepted to a program will be asked to confirm their attendance by paying the registration fee which is part of the total tuition fee for the academic year when they begin their studies.

Self-Financed Student Discount

ILS 8000

Discount is available for students who are financing their studies from their own resources or loans or their close family.

Early Registration Discount

ILS 2000

Discount is available for students who register and pay in full by June 1, 2023.

Tuition Fee

ILS 28 000 to 38 000 / year

Disclaimer

This program entitles the student to receive a Certificate of Fluency in Arabic from the Polis Institute.