Assistant Professor: Usama Soltan; Samuel Liebhaber; Visiting Instructor: Nader Morkus; Department Coordinator: Linda Larocque
Minor in Arabic: Students may minor in Arabic by 1) studying Arabic through ARBC 0302 or the equivalent; and 2) taking two other courses related to the Arab world, at least one of which is a course on Arab culture.
ARBC 0101 Beginning Arabic I (Fall)
The goal of this course is to begin developing reading, speaking, listening, writing, and cultural skills in Arabic. This course stresses written and oral communication, using both formal Arabic and some Egyptian dialect. Emphasis is also placed on reading authentic texts from Arabic media sources, listening to and watching audio and video materials, and developing students' understanding of Arab culture. 6 hrs lect/disc. LNG (S. Liebhaber)
ARBC 0102 Beginning Arabic II (Winter)
This course is an intensive continuation of ARBC 0101. In addition to the goals stated for that course, there will be extra emphasis on cultural skills during the winter term. 8 hours. (ARBC 0101 or equivalent) LNG (S. Liebhaber, N. Morkus)
ARBC 0103 Beginning Arabic III (Spring)
This course is a continuation of ARBC 0102. 6 hrs. lect/disc (ARBC 0102 or equivalent) LNG (Staff)
ARBC/INTD 0111 The Unity and Diversity of Human Language (Spring)
See Interdepartmental Courses for course description. 3 hrs. lect/disc. SOC (U. Soltan)
ARBC/INTD 0112 Introduction to Linguistics (Not offered 2008-09)
See Interdepartmental Courses for course description. 3 hrs. lect/disc.
ARBC 0201 Intermediate Arabic I (Fall)
This course is a continuation of ARBC 0103. Emphasis is placed on reading authentic materials from Arabic media, expanding students' vocabulary, listening to and watching audio and video materials, and developing students' understanding of Arab culture and communicative competence. (ARBC 0103 or equivalent) 6 hrs. lect/disc LNG (U. Soltan)
ARBC 0202 Intermediate Arabic II (Spring)
This course is a continuation of Arabic 0201. Fifth in a series of courses that develop reading, speaking, listening, writing, and cultural skills in Arabic. This course stresses communication in formal and spoken Arabic. (ARBC 0201 or equivalent). LNG 6 hrs. lect/disc (S. Liebhaber)
ARBC 0210 Arabia: A Literary Approach (in English) (Not offered 2008-09)
In this course we will examine the Arabian Peninsula as a literary topos that has beguiled representation in both Eastern and Western literature. Whether it is depicted as a glittering spectacle of petro-dollars, the haunt of Bedouin tribesmen or as a sacred focal point, Arabia is an open canvas on which successive societies have sketched their anxieties and aspirations Simultaneously, Arabia has its own rich legacy of self-representation that has been shaped by its harsh environment and unique resources. We will sift through these representations in texts that range among pre-Islamic poetry, the accounts of foreign explorers, novels by modern Arab authors, and contemporary Bedouin oral poetry. All readings will be in English and no previous knowledge of Arabic is required. 3 hrs. sem. LIT AAL
ARBC 0221 Modern Arabic Literature (Not offered 2008-09)
This course is a survey of the most important moments in the development of Modern Arabic Literature from the end of nineteenth century to the present. We will map the developments, achievements, and innovations by Arab writers against a double background of rising nationalism, decolonization, and wars on the one hand and the idea and experiences of modernity and the west on the other. We will examine works of fiction by both male and female writers including novels, short stories, and drama, as well as poetry representing several different Arab countries. Students are encouraged to read in advance Albert Hourani's A History of the Arab People. (Open to all, no previous knowledge of Arabic is required). 3 hrs. Sem LIT AAL
ARBC 0301 Advanced Arabic 1 (Fall)
A continuation of Arabic 0202. This course aims to help students reach an intermediate-high level of proficiency in reading, speaking, writing, listening, and culture. Readings include articles on cultural,social, historical, political and literary topics. (ARBC 0202 or equivalent) 3 hrs. lect/disc (N. Morkus)
ARBC 0302 Advanced Arabic II (Spring)
This course is a continuation of Arabic 0301. It aims to help students reach an advanced level of proficiency in reading, speaking, and writing Arabic, as well as to develop further an understanding of Arab culture. Readings include articles on cultural, social, historical, political, and literary topics. Course will be conducted entirely in Arabic. (ARBC 0301 or equivalent) 3 hrs. lect/disc (U. Soltan)
ARBC 0401 Advanced Arabic III (Fall)
This is an advanced course in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). Instruction will provide students with extensive exposure to authentic texts in MSA (though texts in Egyptian and Levantine Arabic will also be used) with a higher level of elaboration and complexity, drawn from a wide range of subjects and sources, including newspapers, magazines, TV and radio broadcasts, and short stories. We will focus on enhancing learners' linguistic proficiency in all four language skills, introducing them to further cultural aspects of the Arab world, as well as engaging them in a variety of tasks so they can use MSA to write and talk about a wide range of issues of their interest. 3 hrs. lect/disc. LNG AAL (N. Morkus)
ARBC 0402 Advanced Arabic IV (Not offered 2008-09)
This course is a continuation of ARBC 0401. 3 hrs. lect./disc. LNG AAL
ARBC 0500 Arabic Independent Project (Fall/Spring)