ARAB101 Elementary Arabic I

Arabic 101 is the first introductory course of Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). The course will be conducted primarily in Arabic, except at the very beginning when students are learning the alphabet (Sound and Script). The course is communicative proficiency-based but other methods such as the translation are integrated in the course. While the communicative approach stresses the importance of developing the oral skills in class, all the other skills of language learning be emphasized. Arab culture and history are systematically integrated in the course through student groups cultural presentations as well as other activities.



The class will focus on speaking as an effective way of learning (speak it to learn it). Students will be able to write and create basic words, sentences and eventually write their first essay. The latter will cover--but will not be limited to--FORTE elements (family, occupation, recreation, travel and education). Students will able to converse basic dialogues comfortably in class, and HW will be assigned on a daily basis. There is a weekly Teaching Assistant's session conducted by a native Fulbright scholar from an Arab country.
Offering: Host
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.50
Gen Ed Area: HA-LANG
Prereq: None

ARAB101Z Elementary Arabic I

ARAB101Z is the first introductory course of MSA (Modern Standard Arabic) designed for students who have never had any training in MSA while ARAB102 is its sequel appropriate for students who have taken ARAB101 and/or for individuals who are decent heritage speakers of an Arabic regional dialect. By taking ARAB101 & ARAB102, the student would earn 3 credits and would be able to enter ARAB201 if they choose to do so, as well as reach a low-intermediate level in MSA.



MSA is the official medium of oral and written communication in the Arab World and for religious services in the Islamic world. It has derived from Aramaic, has a close kinship to Hebrew, and it is the language spoken first by the Bedouins of the Arabian Peninsula in the fourth and fifth centuries A.D. It is the language used in books, novels, newspapers, conferences, official and religious speeches, business transactions, legal and government documents, court rulings, public signs, TV and radio newscasts and many TV/cinema productions and shows. It is the language of the Holy Quran and Hadith (sayings by the prophet Mohamed (PBUH) and/or his companions), and it is understood practically by every native Arabic speaker from Morocco to Bahrain. Being the language of Islam, more than one billion Muslims use it in their religious daily rituals all around the world, namely central Asia, South East Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, India & Bangladesh etc.), the Middle East, the Great Sahara & North Africa.



It is very important to note that Modern Standard Arabic is not exactly the language spoken on the streets in the Arab world. However, anyone with a solid knowledge of MSA will have little to no problem "picking up" any of the main regional Arabic dialects (North African, Egyptian/Sudanese, Gulf, Iraqi, or Levantine)



The course will be conducted primarily in Arabic, except at the very beginning stages which will require the use of English (during Sound and Script discussions). The course is communicative proficiency-based, which stresses the importance of developing the oral skills but also aims at developing the other skills of language learning (listening, reading and writing).

Arab Culture and History are systematically integrated in the course and will be referred to, whenever appropriate and possible. References will also be made to the regional dialects for comparison with Modern Standard Arabic. Student Groups in-class presentations will be an excellent tool for students to learn about different aspects of Arab & Muslim culture, society and history.



The course will be supplemented by audio and video material as well as printed handouts provided by the instructor. Students are expected to do daily homework, role-play, group work, and give regular in-class feedback/presentations, and are supposed to come prepared for class on a daily basis.
Offering: Host
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.50
Gen Ed Area: HA-LANG
Prereq: None

ARAB102 Elementary Arabic II

This course is a second-semester course in modern standard Arabic (MSA) that will continue to stress the basic skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The course will focus on speaking as an effective way of learning (speak it to learn it). Students will continue to learn MSA grammar, write and create paragraphs, and begin to converse comfortably in the target language. Students are expected to develop better listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in Arabic and to become familiar with Arabic culture. Oral drills and speaking activities will be done in the classroom, and the class will be conducted primarily in Arabic.
Offering: Host
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.50
Gen Ed Area: HA-LANG
Prereq: ARAB101

ARAB102Z Elementary Arabic II

ARAB102 is its sequel appropriate for students who have taken ARAB101 and/or for individuals who are decent heritage speakers of an Arabic regional dialect. By taking ARAB101 & ARAB102, the student would earn 3 credits and would be able to enter ARAB201 if they choose to do so, as well as reach a low-intermediate level in MSA.



MSA is the official medium of oral and written communication in the Arab World and for religious services in the Islamic world. It has derived from Aramaic, has a close kinship to Hebrew, and it is the language spoken first by the Bedouins of the Arabian Peninsula in the fourth and fifth centuries A.D. It is the language used in books, novels, newspapers, conferences, official and religious speeches, business transactions, legal and government documents, court rulings, public signs, TV and radio newscasts and many TV/cinema productions and shows. It is the language of the Holy Quran and Hadith (sayings by the prophet Mohamed (PBUH) and/or his companions), and it is understood practically by every native Arabic speaker from Morocco to Bahrain. Being the language of Islam, more than one billion Muslims use it in their religious daily rituals all around the world, namely central Asia, South East Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, India & Bangladesh etc.), the Middle East, the Great Sahara & North Africa.



It is very important to note that Modern Standard Arabic is not exactly the language spoken on the streets in the Arab world. However, anyone with a solid knowledge of MSA will have little to no problem "picking up" any of the main regional Arabic dialects (North African, Egyptian/Sudanese, Gulf, Iraqi, or Levantine)



The course will be conducted primarily in Arabic, except at the very beginning stages which will require the use of English (during Sound and Script discussions). The course is communicative proficiency-based, which stresses the importance of developing the oral skills but also aims at developing the other skills of language learning (listening, reading and writing).



Arab Culture and History are systematically integrated in the course and will be referred to, whenever appropriate and possible. References will also be made to the regional dialects for comparison with Modern Standard Arabic. Student Groups in-class presentations will be an excellent tool for students to learn about different aspects of Arab & Muslim culture, society and history.

The course will be supplemented by audio and video material as well as printed handouts provided by the instructor. Students are expected to do daily homework, role-play, group work, and give regular in-class feedback/presentations, and are supposed to come prepared for class on a daily basis.
Offering: Host
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.50
Gen Ed Area: HA-LANG
Prereq: ARAB101 OR ARAB101Z

ARAB201 Intermediate Arabic I

This course is a second-year, lower intermediate course in modern standard Arabic (MSA) designed mainly for students who have completed at least two semesters of Arabic Fusha or those who already possess a basic foundation in Arabic. Students will develop more skills in writing concrete essays and narrating. They will start talking about current events and describing places and people. Narration, in fact, is the hallmark of the intermediate level, so conjugation tenses will need to be memorized. The course will primarily be conducted in Arabic, except for some cases which require the use of English. The course is communicative proficiency-based, which stresses the importance of developing the oral skills, while giving equal attention to the other skills of language learning (reading, writing and listening). The measure chart and the case system will continue to be discussed and practiced. Aspects of contemporary life and culture in the Arab world as well as Arabic regional dialects will be constantly referred to. Students are expected to do daily homework, role-play, group work, and give regular in-class feedback/presentations. The course will be supplemented by audio and video material as well as printed handouts by the instructor.
Offering: Host
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.25
Gen Ed Area: HA-LANG
Prereq: ARAB101 AND ARAB102

ARAB202 Intermediate Arabic II

This course is a second-year, upper intermediate course in modern standard Arabic (MSA) that will continue to focus on the four basic skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. In this level, students will be able to speak Arabic comfortably enough to communicate with a native speaker on a variety of topics. Students should be able to write simple texts on everyday themes and read uncomplicated authentic texts on familiar or concrete topics, as well as newspaper articles and storybooks. Culture will continue to be integrated in the classroom.The class will be conducted primarily in Arabic.
Offering: Host
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.25
Gen Ed Area: HA-LANG
Prereq: ARAB101 AND (ARAB102 OR ARAB201)

ARAB301 Advanced Arabic I

Arabic 301 is the fifth semester of Arabic MSA and is designed for students who have had at least two full years of Arabic MSA or its equivalent.



This first semester of third-year Arabic will continue to emphasize the four skills in language learning mainly through readings that introduce students to more advanced topics that draw from literature, Arab Media, sciences and other disciplines. The course will be conducted entirely in Arabic, apart from cases where intricate grammar concepts necessitate English use.



The course is communicative proficiency-based, and students will continue to do role-play, pair work, write weekly reports and commentaries and give regular in-class feedback/presentations. They are expected to contribute orally to class discussions and lectures.



Arab culture and history will continue to be systematically integrated in the course through constant reference. Regional dialects will continue to be referred to, with the purpose of comparing them to Modern Standard Arabic.
Offering: Host
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: HA-LANG
Prereq: None

ARAB311 Introduction to Colloquial Levantine Arabic I

This course offers students an introduction to the spoken Arabic of the Levant (Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian territories). One of the difficulties facing nonnative speakers trying to master Arabic is that very few Arabs can carry on a conversation in modern standard Arabic, so students must be familiar with a colloquial dialect as well as the standard literary language to communicate effectively in Arabic. Although Levantine Arabic is not as widely spoken as is the Egyptian dialect, it provides a useful entry for English speakers into colloquial Arabic, as it is about halfway between the Egyptian dialect and that spoken in Iraq and offers a useful bridge to mastering either dialect. The text for this course uses the Arabic alphabet. Students need to have a thorough knowledge of the Arabic alphabet and writing conventions to take this course. As much of the vocabulary used by the speakers of the Levantine dialect is derived from standard Arabic, this course will help build students' knowledge of basic Arabic vocabulary.
Offering: Host
Grading: OPT
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: HA-LANG
Prereq: ARAB201

ARAB322 Media in the Arab World: From TV and Film to Social Media (CLAC.50)

Media in the Arab world has undergone significant changes in recent times, with the emergence of new technologies, platforms, and voices across various mediums such as movies, newspapers, magazines, and social media. This course will introduce students to some of the main channels for the communication and expression of information in the Arab world today.



While television remains the most popular source of information - with channels such as Al-Jazeera even having an international audience - access to information has expanded to include online news websites and social media. Social media, in particular, has become an increasingly important source of information, especially among younger generations.



In this course, we will delve into the evolution and impact of media in the Arab world, exploring its role in shaping public opinion, identities, and narratives across different channels. We will look at movies, television series, and social media programs, as well as sources of traditional information, such as newspapers, magazines, and news broadcasts.



This course is open to students studying all levels of Arabic, but is particularly suited to students who have completed Intermediate Arabic as well as native speakers of Arabic.
Offering: Host
Grading: Cr/U
Credits: 0.50
Gen Ed Area: SBS-CGST
Identical With: CGST325
Prereq: None

ARAB380 Arabic in Translation: Arabic-English & vice versa (CLAC.50)

This course is aimed at introducing students of Arabic, who are already advanced in the Arabic language and have a decent command of it, to the art of translation--namely, translation between Arabic and English. After an overview of translation concepts and techniques, we will study and tackle samples from news media, literature, publicity announcements, novels, and a wide range of actual translation assignments. The course will be conducted in Arabic, except for the parts where English has to be used as part of the translation processes.
Offering: Host
Grading: Cr/U
Credits: 0.50
Gen Ed Area: SBS-CGST
Identical With: CGST380
Prereq: None

ARAB381 Arabic Calligraphy (CLAC.50)

This course caters to students with an interest in Arab culture, offering hands-on workshops to acquire basic skills in various Arabic calligraphy styles using classical materials (qalam, pen, ink, brush). In addition to practical sessions, the course provides a historical perspective on calligraphy, showcasing examples from the Middle East and North Africa. The instructor, who is experienced in creating calligraphic art, will guide students through the intricate world of Arabic calligraphy.
Offering: Host
Grading: Cr/U
Credits: 0.50
Gen Ed Area: SBS-CGST
Identical With: CGST381
Prereq: None

ARAB401 Individual Tutorial, Undergraduate

Topic to be arranged in consultation with the tutor.
Offering: Host
Grading: OPT

ARAB402 Individual Tutorial, Undergraduate

Topic to be arranged in consultation with the tutor.
Offering: Host
Grading: OPT

ARAB492 Teaching Apprentice Tutorial

The teaching apprentice program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to assist in teaching a faculty member's course for academic credit.
Offering: Host
Grading: OPT