2021-2022 Academic Catalog

ARB-Arabic

Print/Download Page

Course Descriptions By Program

Choose a program from the dropdown below to view course descriptions

ARB101 - Elementary Arabic I

This is the beginner level in Arabic. This course covers and emphasizes the development of the basic skills of the Arabic language and includes instruction in basic pronunciation, comprehension, communication, and grammar. Students will also become acquainted with the culture of the Arab world and establish a solid foundation for more advanced courses in Arabic.

ARB102 - Elementary Arabic II

Elementary Arabic II is the continuation of Elementary Arabic I. This course continues to introduce students to the people and culture of the Arabic-speaking world. Students will become familiar with Arabic grammar and language structure. They will have maximum opportunity to use the different language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). Students will develop greater competency in understanding MSA in both its written and spoken forms and in producing the language in writing and speech. This course will have a greater emphasis on active vocabulary learning, proper grammatical application and on developing the ability to use the language in real-world everyday situations.

ARB203 - Intermediate Arabic I

Intermediate Arabic I is the continuation of Elementary Arabic II. Prior to this course, students must have basic background knowledge in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) vocabulary and syntax at the elementary level; they should have basic ability to communicate, using simple sentences and have the ability to comprehend simple written and spoken instructions and conversations in basic MSA. In this course, students will acquire additional vocabulary and a greater understanding of more complex grammatical structures. There will be an increased use of Arabic language at this level in instructions and communication. This course will provide the students with a strong foundation at the intermediate level in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. There will be a continued emphasis on the acquisition of more complex grammatical structures, expanding vocabulary and discourse skills, and developing competence in a wide range of communicative situations using all language skills.

ARB204 - Intermediate Arabic II

Intermediate Arabic II is the continuation of Intermediate Arabic I. This course provides additional practice to help students attain a higher level of skill development (e.g., listening, speaking, reading and writing) and linguistic accuracy. This course adopts a skills-based approach in which students gain mastery of the language through the use of authentic materials taken from various sources (books, periodicals, videos and radio documentaries). The selection of the materials is based on the complexity of the tasks and the students’ professional and personal interests. Teaching vocabulary and grammar is integrated to the skills-based activities, and is incorporated in the class activities as an aid to overcome any communication problems. Teaching techniques are student-centered, with the instructor as the facilitator. Instructions will be conducted mostly in Arabic.

ARB311 - Arabic Conversation

Arabic conversation is designed for students who want to acquire a speaking knowledge of the language with a focus on communication, comprehension, and cultural information about Arabic customs. In this course, students will engage in "real-time" discussions, debate, presentations, and reporting activities.

ARB341 - Contemporary Arabic Culture

This course will engage students in the study of a variety of artistic and socio-cultural aspects of the modern Arab world. There will be an emphasis on representative cultural artifacts (from literature and other arts) that have come to define the region, as well as on culturally specific constructions of gender, ethnicity, race, and diversity. Special attention will be given to the characteristics of the Arabic language, family, gender relations, the Arab experience in the U.S., Arab-American relations, the role of the past, social change, Arab literature, art and music. It promotes tolerance and understanding by providing students with a realistic view of the cultural contours of the modern Arab World and the richness of the Arab cultural heritage.

ARB342 - The Culture of Islam

This course will engage students in the study of the culture of Islam. There will be an emphasis on the identifying preconceived notions relating to Islam. This course will compare and contrast the history, essential tenets, and central practices of Islam to Judaism and Christianity. The context in which Islam began and the role of Muhammad (PBUH) on Islam will also be discussed. The Five Pillars of the Islamic faith and the split in Islam into the two major sects, Sunni, and Shi'a, will be explained. Due to the current events in the Middle East and the great number of social media users, this course will help students to understand a culture where secularism, capitalism, and materialism have no value.

ARB343 - Images of Islam: From Spain to Iran

This course discusses the influence of Islam on art and architecture from select countries from Spain to Iran. It provides an accessible and appealing examination of the significant artistic, architectural, and cultural dimensions of the Islamic World and their influences on the West.

ARB350 - Advanced Arabic I

Advanced Arabic I is the continuation of Intermediate Arabic II. In this course, students will acquire a genuine command of the Arabic language with proficiency and the ability to communicate by listening, speaking, reading and writing. There is intense practice in conversation, composition and phonetics based on modem prose, as well as on natural spontaneous speech models. This course will be conducted in Arabic.

ARB351 - Advanced Arabic II

This course is a continuation of Advanced Arabic I; it is intended to further develop students' proficiencies in speaking, writing, listening and reading so that they can be at a level necessary to communicate with flexibility, knowledge and ease in the language. Emphasis will mainly be placed on composition and oral discussion as well as concepts necessary for a sophisticated appraisal of literature and culture in Arabic. This course will be conducted in Arabic.

ARB401 - Introduction to Arabic Linguistics

This course will focus on the study of Arabic as “a language system” in terms of modern linguistic analysis. Students will study the language’s sound system (phonology), word structure (morphology, particularly roots and patterns), phrase and sentence structure (syntax), and meaning at the word and sentential level (semantics). The history of Arabic and the issue of diglossia in Arabic-speaking countries will be discussed. The linguistic features of both Standard Arabic and the modern Arabic dialects of today will also be covered.

ARB402 - Arabic Translation

This course introduces students to the basic techniques of Arabic-English translation. Students will work on stylistic, syntactic, technical, and cultural problems encountered in the Arabic-English translation process. It focuses on the process and quality of translation with emphasis on cultural differences. Exercises will provide translation practice with different types of texts and documents.

ARB421 - Arabic Literature in Translation

This course is a survey of Arabic literature in translation with a focus on continuity and change, influence, and major trends, themes, and genres. It will provide students with a foundation in Arabic literature. Students will be introduced to short stories, novels, essays, poetry, and plays.

ARB480 - Selected Topics in Arabic Language and Culture

This course provides students the opportunity to explore and research Arabic language and culture-related topics of interest that are not available as regular course offerings of the University.