ARA 100 Elementary Arabic I (5 Credits)

An introduction to Modern Standard and colloquial Arabic, using a proficiency-based approach to develop communicative skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing. The course begins with a focus on reading, pronouncing and recognizing Arabic alphabet, and progresses quickly toward developing basic reading, writing, speaking and listening proficiencies, and cultural competence using the Al-Kitaab series and a variety of authentic materials. Students acquire these skills through a combination of interactive classroom activities, take-home assignments and group work. Students should be at the Novice-Mid level by the end of this course. No prerequisites. Enrollment limited to 18.

Fall

ARA 101 Elementary Arabic II (5 Credits)

This course is a continuation of Elementary Arabic I. Emphasis is on integrated development of all four language skills--reading, writing, speaking and listening. By the end of this semester, students should have the language skills necessary for everyday interactions, be able to communicate in a variety of situations, and read and write about a broad variety of familiar topics. In addition to textbook exercises and group work, students write short essays, give oral and video presentations and participate in role-play activities. Prerequisites: ARA 100 or equivalent. Enrollment limited to 18. {F}

Fall, Spring

ARA 200 Intermediate Arabic I (4 Credits)

This is a communication-oriented course in Arabic at the intermediate level, incorporating both Modern Standard and colloquial Arabic and providing students with an opportunity to hone their skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Students expand their ability to create with the language while reenforcing fundamentals and expanding their knowledge of vocabulary, grammar and culture. In addition to in-class teamwork, students produce a variety of essays, presentations and skits throughout the semester. Prerequisite: ARA 101 or equivalent. Enrollment limited to 18. {F}

Fall

ARA 201 Intermediate Arabic II (4 Credits)

This course is a continuation of Intermediate Arabic I. Students continue honing their knowledge of Arabic using an approach designed to strengthen communication skills. By the end of this semester, students should have sufficient proficiency to understand most routine social demands and non-technical conversations, as well as discussions on concrete topics related to particular interests and special fields of competence at a general professional level. An increasing vocabulary enables students to read prose with a near-normal range of speed and write on a broad variety of topics, including news, politics, economics, history and Arab cultures. Prerequisite: ARA 200 or equivalent. Enrollment limited to 18. {F}

Spring

ARA 300 Advanced Arabic I (4 Credits)

In this course students achieve an advanced level of proficiency in Modern Standard Arabic with an exposure to one Arabic colloquial variety using the four-skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening) approach. Students read within a normal range of speed, listen to, discuss and respond in writing to authentic texts by writers from across the Arab world. Text types address a range of political, social, religious and literary themes, and represent a range of genres, styles and periods. All of these texts may include hypothesis, argumentation and supported opinions that covers both linguistic and cultural knowledge. This course covers Al-Kitaab Book 3, units 1-5, in addition to extra instructional materials. Prerequisite: ARA 202, or the completion of Al-Kitaab Book 2, or equivalent. Students must be able to use formal spoken Arabic as the medium of communication in the classroom. Enrollment limited to 18. {F}

Fall

ARA 301 Advanced Arabic II (4 Credits)

This course helps students reach advanced proficiency in Arabic through language study and content work focused on Arab history, literature and current events. The course focuses on developing truly active control of a large vocabulary through communicative activities. Grammatical work focuses on complex grammatical constructions and demands increased accuracy in understanding and producing complex structures in extended discourse. Preparation for class and active, cooperative participation in group activities are essential to students’ progress in this course. Requirements also include active participation in class, weekly essays, occasional exams and presentations and a final written exam. This course covers Al-Kitaab, Book 3, units 5-10 in addition to extra instructional materials. Prerequisite: ARA 300, or the completion of Al-Kitaab, Book 3, lessons 1-5, or the equivalent. Students must be able to use formal spoken Arabic as the medium of communication in the classroom. Enrollment limited to 18. {F}

Spring

ARA 402 Fourth Year Arabic I (4 Credits)

This course aims to enable students to further develop their advanced level of proficiency across the four skills of speaking, writing, reading and listening. Precise vocabulary is used to engage in complicated arguments and study abstract topics that include rich cultural components. Gaining proficiency in writing and in reading original sources in Arabic receives particular emphasis. The goal of the course is to equip students to make active use of Arabic in a variety of social, educational and professional contexts. Prerequisite: ARA 301. Enrollment limited to 15. {F}

Fall, Annually

ARA 403 Fourth Year Arabic II (4 Credits)

The second semester of fourth year Arabic covers a number of topics that focus on the linguistic, geographical, historical, social, cultural and artistic aspects of the Arab world. A special emphasis is on varieties of the Arabic language, Arabic literature, discourse, film, women in the Middle East, and cuisine and music. The course provides students with an opportunity to engage with the diversity of the Arabic cultural traditions in the past and present times through interacting with the Arabic cultural products, perspectives, practices and processes of interaction. The course materials are entirely in Arabic and are explored through discussions, readings and videos. Prerequisite: ARA 402. {F}

Spring, Annually