Global Arc

This course develops to a more advanced and natural level the linguistic skills of listening, speaking, and reading through the reading and class discussion of lengthy texts, primarily literary ones. Term papers written in Arabic provide the opportunity to improve composition, and aural comprehension is honed through the use of tapes of Arabic broadcasts, and through viewing films from various parts of the Arab world. Prerequisite: 301 or instructor's permission. Two 90-minute classes.

This course will focus on having students learn to liberate themselves from their dictionaries while reading. Attention will also be given to speaking and listening skills, as well as Arabic-English translation.

This course is designed as an advanced, fourth-year course in Arabic language and culture which may be repeated up to two times, provided the topic is different each time. The course is intended to appeal to students who prefer to study in an Arabic immersion environment, and all aspects of the course will be conducted in Arabic.

Introduces the conventions of major genres of history, belles-lettres and religious thought of the Abbasid era (750-1258 CE). Primary emphasis on reading comprehension and developing confidence in approaching classical sources. Conducted in Arabic, apart from translation exercises, and will also develop skills in writing, through projects, and speaking, through discussions and presentations. Course is divided into one or two-week units, focusing on excerpts from major texts. Students to complete major reading/writing project on a text of choosing.

For students who have a working foundation in the Arabic language - a vocabulary set of around 1500 words and a firm grasp of Arabic syntax. The course is structured around passages in the Qur'an and will expose students to the traditional disciplines of the Arabic language of the Qur'an and its ancillary sciences, i.e., exegesis, recitation, orthography, etymology, philology, morphology, and grammar. Supplementary materials will also include scholarly articles in Arabic and in English regarding the recensions of the Qur'an, their collection and standardization, the seven recitations of the Qur'an, and other related topics.

Students in this course will develop their skills in speaking, hearing, reading, and writing Modern Standard Arabic, the form of the Arabic language shared by all Arab countries. The course covers phonics, the alphabet and numerals, as well as noun-adjective agreement and how to form sentences using past and present tense verbs. Also covered: greetings and courtesy phrases in spoken Arabic. Five classes, one hour of drill. No credit is given for ARA 101 unless followed by ARA 102.

Continuation of 101. Students will expand their language skills through conversational and grammatical exercises based on the audio-visual approach. Students will be able to speak and write simply and accurately about topics such as daily activities, studies, family members, and hopes and plans for the future. Five classes, one hour of drill.

Designed for students who already have some familiarity with any dialect of spoken Arabic. The course will emphasize reading and writing skills, as well as how to analyze grammar. No credit is given for 103 unless followed by 104.

A continuation of 103. The second semester of a full-year language course designed specifically for students who already have some familiarity with any dialect of spoken Arabic. The course will emphasize reading and writing skills, as well as how to analyze grammar.

Building upon the skills gained in 101 and 102, this course offers further practice in speaking and listening and increases proficiency in reading and writing. Topics to be covered include use of dual and feminine plural forms; conditional sentences; use of superlatives and comparatives; and the study of case markings in formal written Arabic. Five classes, one hour of drill.