Urdu

Urdu is among the most important literary and cultural languages of Asia, with a rich literary tradition that has been written in both the modern standard language and in earlier dialects.

Program Overview

Degree availability: Major in Asian Languages and Cultures

Years offered: 3 years

Contact: Jameel Ahmad

A brief video introduction to the UW Urdu Program

Course Information

Course Catalog

Language Courses

    • URDU 101/102/103: Elementary Urdu
    • URDU 201/202/203: Intermediate Urdu

Advanced Courses

    • URDU 321/322/323/324: Advanced Urdu Third Year: The Short Story
    • URDU 322: Advanced Urdu Third Year: Poetry
    • URDU 323: Advanced Urdu Third Year: The Novel
    • URDU 324: Advanced Urdu Third Year: Drama
    • URDU 421: Advanced Urdu Fourth Year
    • URDU 422: Advanced Urdu Fourth Year: Poetry
    • URDU 423: Advanced Urdu Fourth Year: The Novel
    • URDU 424: Survey of Modern Hindi/Urdu Literature: Drama
    • URDU 499: Independent Study

More About Urdu

🌍Global

  • Spoken by 246++ million people worldwide
  • Official language in Pakistan and an officially recognized language of India

📚Learning

  • Written in a modified form of Perso-Arabic script
  • A sister language to Hindi

🏛️Culture & Diplomacy

✈️Travel & Career

  • Learning Urdu opens career opportunities in healthcare, education, social services, journalism and trade.

Discover More with the Urdu Program

Open doors to new cultures, careers, and global opportunities.

Visit the Asian Languages and Literature Department

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    Lahore, Shalimaar garden