Courses
For course prerequisites, see UG catalog.
100 Level
ARAB 104 Elementary Modern Standard Arabic I-II (6)
Not open to fluent/native speakers of Arabic. An intensive course focusing on developing functional proficiency in the standard Arabic language, both written and formal spoken. Begins with script and phonology, and develops into a limited range of situation-based texts and topics that build vocabulary, grammar, general communicative competence and cultural awareness.
ARAB 105 Elementary Modern Standard Arabic III-IV (6)
Not open to fluent/native speakers of Arabic. Prerequisite: ARAB104. Continuation of ARAB104, developing further linguistic proficiency in Standard Arabic, both written and formal spoken. Covers an extended range of situation-based texts and topics that build vocabulary, grammar, general communicative competence and cultural awareness.
ARAB 106 Elementary Egyptian Colloquial Arabic I (3)
Not open to fluent/native speakers of Arabic. Basic knowledge of Arabic script required. Introduction to the widely spread spoken variety of Egyptian Arabic, covering the basic range of communicative and cultural situations where Modern Standard Arabic is not used. (Can be taken concurrently with an MSA course). Emphasis is on developing the learners' listening and speaking skills in Egyptian Arabic, since colloquial Arabic dialects are mainly used in speech.
ARAB 107 Elementary Egyptian Colloquial Arabic II (3)
Not open to fluent/native speakers of Arabic. Prerequisite: ARAB106. Continuation of ARAB106, covering a wider range of basic vocabulary, grammar forms, communicative and cultural situations using the widely spread spoken variety of Egyptian Arabic. Emphasis on developing learners' listening and speaking skills in Egyptian Arabic, since colloquial dialects in the Arab world are mainly used in speech.
ARAB 110 Elementary Levantine Colloquial Arabic I (3)
Not open to fluent/native speakers of Arabic. Basic knowledge of Arabic script required. Introduction to Levantine Arabic, the variety of Arabic spoken in Lebanon, covering the basic range of communicative and cultural situations where Modern Arabic is not used. {Can be taken concurrently with a MSA course.} Emphasis on developing the learners' listening and speaking skills in Levantine Arabic.
ARAB 111 Elementary Levantine Colloquial Arabic II (3)
Not open to fluent/native speakers of Arabic. Prerequisite: ARAB110. Continuation of ARAB110, covering a wider range of basic vocabulary, grammar forms, communicative and cultural situations using the widely spread spoken variety of Levantine Arabic. Emphasis on developing learners' listening and speaking skills in Levantine Arabic. Will engage students in pedagogical tasks, emulate real life tasks such as information gap and negotiation.
200 Level
ARAB 204 Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic I (6)
Prerequisite: ARAB105. Covers topics related to contemporary Arabic society, literature and culture in standard written and formal spoken Arabic. Acquisition of more complex grammatical structures, expanding vocabulary, and reading, to develop a better understanding of the formal aspects of using MSA.
ARAB 205 Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic II (6)
Prerequisite: ARAB204. Continuation ofARAB204, with exposure to a wide range of Arabic texts from different domains. Focus on vocabulary, more complex grammatical forms, and a better understanding of the formal aspects of using MSA as well as the cultural aspects of using the language.
ARAB 206 Elementary Egyptian Colloquial Arabic III (3)
Prerequisite: ARAB107 or permission of department. Develops listening and speaking skills in Egyptian Arabic. Covers family, school, shopping, and social interaction. Some reading in Arabic.
ARAB 207 Elementary Egyptian Colloquial Arabic IV (3)
Prerequisite: ARAB206 or equivalent. Further develops listening and speaking skills in Egyptian Colloquial Arabic, extending range of contexts where it merges with Modern Standard Arabic. Some reading in Arabic.
ARAB 210 Elementary Levantine Arabic III (3)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Emphasis on developing listening and speaking skills in Levantine Arabic, since colloquial dialects are mainly used in speech. Covers family, school, shopping, local culture and general interaction. Some reading in Arabic.
ARAB 211 Elementary Levantine Arabic IV (3)
Prerequisite: ARAB210 or permission of department. Emphasis on developing listening and speaking skills in Levantine Arabic. Covers conversational needs in everyday situations such as introductions, at hotels, at the doctor's office, at social get-togethers, etc. Some reading in Arabic.
ARAB 221 The Arab World Today through Readings in Translation (3)
An introduction to the contemporary Arabic world through literature. Includes discussions of historical background, political thought and society. (In English)
ARAB 282 The Arab-Israeli Conflict through Readings in Translation (3)
Literary works by both Arab and Jewish authors depicting the impact of the conflict on society and individuals. In English.
ARAB 304 Advanced Modern Standard Arabic I (3)
Prerequisite: ARAB205 or permission of department. Not open to students who have completed ARAB301. Formerly ARAB301. Advanced grammar, reading, writing, speaking in Arabic; study of contemporary Arabic society, politics, and culture.
300 Level
ARAB 305 Advanced Modern Standard Arabic II (3)
Prerequisite: ARAB304 or equivalent. Further advanced grammar, reading, writing, speaking in Arabic; study of current issues within the Arab World.
ARAB 306 Intermediate Egyptian Colloquial Arabic I (3)
Prerequisite: ARAB207. Covering the spoken variety of Egypt in an extended range of communicative contexts where Egyptian Colloquial and Modern Standard Arabic merge. By course end, the students speak in Egyptian Arabic in situations and topics that require reasonable knowledge of the culture.
ARAB 307 Intermediate Egyptian Colloquial Arabic II (3)
Prerequisite: ARAB306. Continuation of ARAB306, focusing on enhancing learners' speaking and listening skills in Egyptian Arabic, enriching their vocabulary, introducing them to more complex grammatical forms and structures, and providing practice in a broad range of communicative and cultural contexts.
ARAB 310 Intermediate Levantine Arabic I (3)
Prerequisite: ARAB211 or permission of department. Focuses on speaking and listening skills in Levantine Arabic, enriching vocabulary, introducing more complex grammatical forms and structures. Range of communicative contexts. Some reading in Arabic.
ARAB 330 Listening Strategies in Arabic I (3)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Training in recognizing specific features of varieties of spoken Arabic in different contexts. Some reading in Arabic.
ARAB 331 Listening Strategies in Arabic II (3)
Prerequisite: ARAB330 or equivalent. Further training in recognizing specific features of varieties of spoken Arabic in range of contexts. Some reading in Arabic.
ARAB 332 Listening Strategies in Arabic III (3)
Prerequisite: ARAB331 or equivalent. Advanced training in recognizing specific features of varieties of spoken Arabic. Increased range of registers. Some reading in Arabic.
Courses Under Development
ARAB 251 (English) Arabic Cinema
A visual approach to Arab societies and cultural spheres. Range of countries and filmmakers. Course serves not only as way in to understanding of the Arab world, but also as an introduction to the art of seeing, or visual "reading."
ARAB 252 (English) Arabic Literature in Translation
Reading of works from range of countries, time periods, authors, and genres. Specific titles to depend on instructor.
ARAB 311 The Arab World Today
Examines issues, values, institutions of the contemporary Arab world, primarily through analysis and discussion of current events. While focus will be on content, students will continue their acquisition of Modern Standard Arabic through exercises and activities designed for their level of competency.
ARAB 312 Islamic Culture
Overview of core topics related to Islamic culture, including political systems, caliphates, reform movements, Shari a law, human rights, gender roles, and Jihad. While focus will be on content, students will continue their acquisition of Modern Standard Arabic through exercises and activities designed for their level of competency.
ARAB 321 Arabic Media
Examines the role of the Arabic media in shaping public opinion and influencing relations between the Arab world and the non-Arab world. Key modern Arab newspapers, magazines, radio and television news programs will be explored. While focus will be on content, students will continue their acquisition of Modern Standard Arabic through exercises and activities designed for their level of competency.
ARAB 322 Commercial Arabic
An introduction to the stylistic registers and vocabulary of Modern Standard Arabic that are used in the business world, including correspondence, memos, short reports, financial statements, etc., as well as to the cultural context of Arab business and commerce.
ARAB 351 (English) Arab Culture and Civilization
A survey of the literary, artistic, political, and religious traditions of the Arab world. Includes brief historical overview.
ARAB 402 Arabic Translation
Practicum in translation from Arabic to English in a presentation, discussion, and workshop format. In addition to achieving increased proficiency in Arabic, students will study interdependence of language, context, and culture, and how they come into play in the various decisions a translator must make.
ARAB 411 US-Arab Relations
Covers history and current state of relations between the US and the Arab world; the issues that have given rise to conflict and accord; the language and culture of diplomacy. While focus will be on content, students will continue their acquisition of Modern Standard Arabic through exercises and activities designed for their level of competency.
ARAB 412 Modern Arabic Literature: A Survey
Themes and genres of Arabic literature from the mid-19th century to the present. While focus will be on content, students will continue their acquisition of Modern Standard Arabic through exercises and activities designed for their level of competency.
ARAB 499: Special Topics in Arabic Studies
Range of courses to include language, literature, culture; English or Arabic.
