Dr. Allen S. Clark serves as the Co-Director of the Arabic Language Flagship Program and an Associate Professor of Arabic at the University of Mississippi.
Biography
With over two decades of experience in Arabic language education, Dr. Allen Clark’s journey includes earning his Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in Foreign and Second Language Education from The Ohio State University. His teaching philosophy blends rigor and creativity, designed to empower students to achieve fluency in Modern Standard Arabic and various dialects, including Syrian and Egyptian Arabic. A dynamic educator, Clark has designed and taught courses across all proficiency levels, ranging from foundational Arabic to advanced courses in media, translation, and conflict studies. His contributions extend beyond the classroom, as he has spearheaded collaborations with language centers across the Arabic-speaking world, establishing immersive study-abroad programs in Jordan, Morocco, and Egypt.
In addition to his academic accomplishments, Clark is a prolific author and editor, contributing to widely used Arabic textbooks such as Ahlan wa Sahlan and publishing works on the intersections of language, politics, and culture. Recognized for his excellence in teaching and dedication to his students, he was awarded the prestigious Elsie M. Hood Outstanding Teacher award in 2025 and Humanities Teacher of the Year Award in 2022-2023. Whether mentoring students, leading teacher-training workshops, or advancing the field of Arabic language pedagogy, Dr. Clark is committed to fostering intercultural understanding and linguistic excellence. With a deep passion for Arabic literature, translation, and education, he continues to inspire students to reach their full potential and embrace the richness of Arabic language and culture.
Books
Alosh, M. and Clark, A. (2021). Ahlan wa Sahlan: Letters and Sounds of the Arabic Language. 3rd edition: Yale University Press, New Haven-London. (978-0-300-23373-5)
Alosh, M., and Clark, A. (2021). Ahlan wa Sahlan Functional Modern Standard Arabic for Beginners. 3rd Edition: Yale University Press, New Haven-London. (978-0-300-23371-1)
Alosh, M., and Clark, A. (2021). Ahlan wa Sahlan: Functional Modern Standard Arabic for Intermediate Learners 3rd Edition: Yale University Press, New Haven-London. (978-0-300-23372-8)
Alosh, M., and Clark, A. (2013). Ahlan wa Sahlan: Functional Modern Standard Arabic for Intermediate Learners. II Second Edition: Yale University Press, New Haven-London, 2013.
Faiq, S. & Clark, A. (2011). Beyond Denotation in Translation in Arabic-English Translation. London: Sayyab Books.
Clark, A. (2011). The Crisis of Translation in the Western Media: A Critical Discourse Analysis of al-Qācida Communiqués. LAP Lambert Academic Publishing GmbH & Co. KG, Germany.
Alosh, M., and Clark, A. (2009). Ahlan wa Sahlan: Letters and Sounds of the Arabic Language. Yale University Press, New Haven-London.
Alosh, M., and Clark, A. (2009). Ahlan wa Sahlan Functional Modern Standard Arabic for Beginners. Second Edition: Yale University Press, New Haven-London, 2009.
Articles and Chapters
Clark, A., & Minami, N. (2015). “Developing Communication Skills, Cultural Sensitivity and Collaboration in an Experiential Language Village Simulation.” Foreign Language Annals 48 (2).
Clark, A. (2014). “Toward a new approach in teaching Arabic: Eliminating the Invisible Borders Placed on the L2 (naḥū ‘uslūb jadīd fī taclīm al-luḡa al- carabiyya).” Conference Proceedings (p. 1-18). The International Conference on new Trends in Teaching Arabic as a Second Language (ittijāhāt ḥadīṯa fī taclīm al-carabīyya luḡa ṯānīyya). King Saud University Publications.
Clark, A. and Burkette, A. (2011). “Introduction.” Beyond Denotation in Translation into Arabic. Sayyab Books, London.
Clark, A. (2009). “Ontological Gap: Eastern Spiritualism/Western Materialism.” Forum on Public Policy.
Grants
2024-2028 Co-Authored the application to renew the University of Mississippi’s Undergraduate Domestic Flagship Program in Arabic—awarded $1,299,997
2024 Awarded an International Collaboration Grant of $1,940 to foster collaboration between the University of Mississippi (UM) and the Modern Language Center (MLC) in Amman, Jordan.
2024 Co-Authored the application to host a Teacher Training Workshop at the University of Mississippi—awarded $89,000
2020-2024 Co-Authored the application to renew the University of Mississippi’s Undergraduate Domestic Flagship Program in Arabic awarded $ 1,299,997
2018-2019 Co-Authored our application to establish an Undergraduate Domestic Flagship Program at the University of Mississippi—awarded $812,500
College of Liberal Arts Summer Research Grant, 2012, 2013, 2016
Courses Taught
- Arab 111 Intensive Elementary Arabic I
- Arab 112 Intensive Elementary Arabic II
- Arab 211 Intensive Intermediate Arabic I
- Arab 212 Intensive Intermediate Arabic II
- Arab 311 Intensive Arabic V
- Arab 312 Intensive Arabic VI
- Arab 313 Intermediate Syrian I
- Arab 314 Intermediate Syrian II
- Arab 411 Arabic Media
- Arab 413 Advanced Syrian I
- Arab 414 Advanced Syrian II
- Arab 416 Language and Conflict
- Arab 451 The Art of Translation
- Arab 595 Teaching Language Practicum
Education
B.A. Foreign Languages, Ohio State University Main Campus (1998)
M.A. Near Eastern Languages And Cultures, Ohio State University Main Campus (2002)
Ph.D. Education, Ohio State University Main Campus (2009)
Recognitions
- Elsie M. Hood Outstanding Teacher of the Year, University of Mississippi, 2025
- Humanities Teacher of the Year, UM/Mississippi Humanities Council, 2022-23
- Outstanding Graduate Student Award, Phi Kappa Phi, 2006-07
- Graduate Associate Teaching Award, The Ohio State University, 2006-07