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

  • Learning Urdu is crucial for international relations, journalism, and academic study of South Asia.

✈️Travel & Career

  • Opens career opportunities in healthcare, education, social services, journalism and trade.

Discover More with the Urdu Program

Visit the Asian Languages and Literature Department

  • ,

    Lahore, Shalimaar garden

  • Lower kachura lake, Northern Pakistan,

    Lower kachura lake, Northern Pakistan

  • Lakki marwat city, Pakistan,,

    Lakki marwat city, Pakistan,

  • Lahore City, Pakistan,

    Lahore City, Pakistan