Courses in Arabic
Note: This page contains all of the regular courses taught by this department. Not all courses are offered every year. Check the searchable schedule to see which courses are being offered in the upcoming semester.
ARBC 101Y Beginning Arabic
Credit: 0.5
This is a year-long course for students who are beginning the study of Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). The main objective of the course is to develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in MSA. Part of the first semester concentrates on the Arabic alphabetic writing system, pronunciation, basic conversation, and an introduction to Arabic grammar. Class work includes dictation, group conversations, listening exercises, and activities focused on developing written skills. Online audio and visual materials are used to reinforce communication and vocabulary building, to expose students to authentic language resources, and to help students practice inside and outside of the class. Instruction will include an introduction to the customs and cultures of the Arabic-speaking world. Offered every year.
ARBC 102Y Beginning Arabic
Credit: 0.5
This is a continuation of the introduction to Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). Objectives of the course continue to be the development of skills in writing, reading, listening, and speaking. There is increased emphasis on vocabulary and grammar. Class work includes oral participation (speaking in class, both alone and in groups), active writing activities, and exercises in listening and reading comprehension. Students are expected to use online and extracurricular resources (provided by the instructor) to help improve their skills and complete assignments. Some elements of Arabic dialect will be introduced, but the focus will be on MSA. By the end of the second semester, students will understand basic grammatical concepts and communicate at a novice-high level. Prerequisite: ARBC 101Y, the equivalent, or permission of the instructor. Offered every year.
ARBC 201 Intermediate Arabic
Credit: 0.5
Intermediate Arabic I is open to any student who has completed Beginning Arabic or the equivalent. The main objective of the course is to develop speaking, listening, reading, writing skills in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) at the intermediate-novice level. Class work includes reading comprehension activities, vocabulary building activities, giving presentations in Arabic, listening to authentic texts, and guided class discussion in the target language. Students will conduct a research project using MSA as the medium for research and presentation. Students are expected to use online and extracurricular resources (some provided by the instructor) to help improve their skills and complete assignments outside of class. Prerequisite: ARBC 102Y, the equivalent, or permission of the instructor. Offered every year.
ARBC 202 Intermediate Arabic
Credit: 0.5
Intermediate Arabic II is open to any student who has completed Intermediate Arabic I or the equivalent. The main objective of the course is to develop speaking, listening, reading, writing skills in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) at the intermediate level. Class work includes reading authentic texts vocabulary building, presenting research in Arabic, listening to authentic media (such as news, films, and television programs), and class discussion in the target language. Students will conduct research using authentic Arabic texts and online materials. There will be opportunities to study dialect in an informal setting. Students are expected to use online and extracurricular resources to help improve their skills and complete assignments outside of class. By the end of Intermediate Arabic II, students will be able to communicate at the intermediate level including the ability to recognize different genres of literature, read newspapers with the use of a dictionary, and comprehend basic information from media resources without the use of a dictionary. Prerequisites: MLL 201, the equivalent, or permission of the instructor. Offered every year.
ARBC 321 Advanced Arabic
Credit: 0.5
This course continues language study from advanced-intermediate level Arabic through advanced levels. Advanced-Intermediate to Advanced Arabic is open to any student who has completed Intermediate Arabic 202 or the equivalent. The main objective of the course is to develop speaking, listening, reading, writing skills in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) at the advanced intermediate to advanced level. Class work includes reading authentic texts vocabulary building, presenting research in Arabic, listening to authentic media (such as news, films, and television programs), and class discussion in the target language. Students will conduct research using authentic Arabic texts and online materials. There will also be opportunities to study dialect in an informal setting. Students are expected to use online and extracurricular resources to help improve their skills and complete assignments outside of class. By the end of Advanced-Intermediate to Advanced Arabic, students will be able to communicate at the advanced level including the ability to recognize different genres of literature, read newspapers with the use of a dictionary, and comprehend basic information from media resources without the use of a dictionary. Prerequisites: ARBC 202, the equivalent, or permission of the instructor.
Instructor: Staff
ARBC 341 Arab World through Literature and Film
Credit: 0.5
Open to students with any interest in literature, translation, film, religion, art, politics, history, political science, economics, sociology, and the Arabic language. This course explores the broad and diverse cultures of the Arabic-speaking world through the lens of Arabic literature and modern Arab cinema. Students will examine selections of literature and films from all over the Arabic speaking world across North Africa into the Arabian Gulf. Additionally, they will critique films primarily made in the Arabic speaking world or about the Arabic speaking world. By exploring multiple perspectives from inside and outside the cultures, students can begin to research the diversity and richness of this aothereda culture as well as examine the similarities with our own. They will also explore the reality of aus vs. thema through class discussions, media depictions, and through their own research. Students will be exposed a myriad of dialects and topics. No prerequisites.
Instructor: Nichols, Jennifer