"I think Americans are curious about the Arab world. Perhaps this is a positive outcome of September 11," Kaplan said. "If teaching Arabic, sharing stories of my time as a (Fulbright Scholar) in Morocco and conveying my professional experiences at the State Department's office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative can improve our relations with the Arab and Muslim world, I feel compelled to do so."

Ryan Holeywell, writes in the campus-watch that GW will offer more Arabic language class sections and add at least one faculty member next fall in response to growing student interest and enrollment in the subject.

Currently, more than 130 students are enrolled in Arabic classes, up 30 percent from two years ago. When GW first started offering Arabic classes in 1993, the 24 enrolled students took classes at Georgetown University.
GW offers first through fourth year Arabic language and Arabic literature courses.

"Considering we used to only have one section of one class we've come a long way," said professor Elizabeth Ann Fisher, chair of the Department of Classical and Semitic Languages, which houses the Arabic program.

Fisher said her department is currently searching for a "tenure-track" assistant professor of Arabic she hopes to add by fall 2004.

"The long-term future of the Arabic program at GW is insured by the presence of a 'tenure-track,' and eventually tenured, faculty member," Fisher said.

Fisher said she is unsure how many new Arabic sections will open next year. Although students cannot major or minor in Arabic, Fisher said she hopes students will be able to in the future.

Administrators, including University President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, traveled to the Middle East about a week and a half ago to explore academic and fundraising opportunities.

Administrators have said GW might collaborate with the University of Kuwait and haveexplore academic and fundraising opportunities.