Course Descriptions

First Year Arabic

First Year Arabic introduces students to the sounds, letters and basic grammar of Arabic while building listening, speaking, reading, writing and cultural skills in the language. The course stresses communicative skills in both standard and colloquial Arabic. Throughout the duration of the course, students also learn fundamental differences between spoken and written Arabic.

Second Year Arabic

Second Year Arabic guides students towards Intermediate-High proficiency in reading, speaking, writing and listening. Acquiring communicative skills continues to remain a priority throughout the coursework and particular emphasis is placed on reading, expanding student vocabulary, developing listening skills and deepening students’ understanding of Arab cultures—including enhanced exposure to colloquial Arabic.

Third Year Arabic

Third Year Arabic aims to develop language skills at the advanced level of proficiency. The course focuses on language through printed and video texts dealing with Arab history, literature and thought. Students continue to expand their vocabulary and fluency in both standard and colloquial Arabic and work extensively on their writing skills.

Additional Course Offerings:

• Levantine Arabic
• Egyptian Arabic
• Arabian Nights
• Arabo-Islamic Ode
• Contemporary Arab Cinema
• Shi’ite Political and Religious Idealogues
• Readings in Islamic Texts
• Lebanon: Formation and Transformation
• Varieties and Registers of Arabic
• Advanced Spoken Media Arabic
• Critiques of Language & Culture
• Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language (TAFL)

The course schedule for the Summer 2009 Semester, which includes a comprehensive listing of both Undergraduate and Graduate Arabic course offerings can be viewed here.