Samuel Liebhaber
Professor of Arabic
- Office
- Voter Hall 002
- Tel
- (802) 443-5598
- slieb@middlebury.edu
- Office Hours
- SPRING 2025: On leave.
Sam Liebhaber is a Professor of Arabic at Middlebury College and received his Ph.D in Arabic Literature from the University of California in Berkeley in 2007. Sam has spent several years of Arabic language study and research in Yemen where he lived and studied in Sana’a, Aden, and al-Ghaydha. In addition to an abiding interest in modern Yemeni literature, Sam pursued research on oral popular poetry in the Mahri language in eastern Yemen. This work has been published as a digital exhibit of Mahri poetry, When Melodies Gather (Stanford University Press, 2018), which invites online visitors to explore the process of poetic creation in the strictly oral setting of al-Mahra. Sam’s current project is a translation of the poetic works of Yemen’s iconic revolutionary poet, Muḥammad Maḥmuūd al-Zubayrī (d. 1965).
Sam teaches courses at all levels of the Arabic language sequences (ARBC101 through ARBC302), fourth year Arabic seminars on Classical Arabic Prose (ARBC410) and Modern and Contemporary Arabic Literature (ARBC414) and the following English language courses: Arabia: A Literary Approach (ARBC210), The Arabic Novel (ARBC212) and Modern Arabic Literature (ARBC221). Sam has taught Introduction to World Literature (CMLT101) through the Comparative Literature Program and a first-year seminar: Arabian Oral Poetry (FYSE1008).
Sam’s complete CV and list of scholarly publications can be found at the link below.
Courses Taught
ARBC 0101
Beginning Arabic I
Course Description
Beginning Arabic I
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.
Terms Taught
Requirements
ARBC 0102
Beginning Arabic II
Course Description
Beginning Arabic II
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 winter term. (ARBC 0101 or equivalent).
Terms Taught
Requirements
ARBC 0103
Beginning Arabic III
Course Description
Beginning Arabic III
This course is a continuation of ARBC 0102. 6 hrs. lect/disc (ARBC 0102 or equivalent)
Terms Taught
Requirements
ARBC 0201
Upcoming
Intermediate Arabic I
Course Description
Intermediate Arabic I
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
Terms Taught
Requirements
ARBC 0202
Intermediate Arabic II
Course Description
Intermediate Arabic II
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). 6 hrs. lect/disc
Terms Taught
Requirements
ARBC 0301
Upcoming
Advanced Arabic I
Course Description
Advanced Arabic 1
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. on T/R., plus a 50-minute lect time on Mondays TBD by enrolled students.)
Terms Taught
Requirements
ARBC 0302
Advanced Arabic II
Course Description
Advanced Arabic II
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) 4 hrs. lect/disc.
Terms Taught
Requirements
ARBC 0410
Classical Arabic Prose
Course Description
Readings in Classical Arabic Prose (in Arabic)
Classical Arabic prose is one of the delights of world literature. A product of the vibrant intellectual climate of the 'Abbasid Caliphate (750 - 1258 CE), Classical Arabic prose embodies a humanistic sensitivity and inquisitive depth that has set the standard for literary Arabic. In this course we will read representative texts from some major genres of Classical Arabic prose: geography, history, philology, biography, and the tradition of courtly belles-lettres. Students will also be presented with the opportunity to read hand-written manuscripts. (ARBC 0302 or equivalent) 3 hrs. seminar.
Terms Taught
Requirements
ARBC 0414
Reading Mod Arab Lit
Course Description
Readings in Modern Arabic Literature
In this course students will engage modern and contemporary literature in the original Arabic language. In addition to reading an Arabic novel, we will examine other literary-aesthetic genres such as poetry, plays, and short stories. Throughout, we will analyze and discuss the role of modern Arabic literature in exposing and challenging various systems of marginalization and injustice in the Arab world and beyond. (ARBC302 or equivalent) 3 hrs. sem.
Terms Taught
Requirements
ARBC 0500
Upcoming
Independent Study
Course Description
Independent Study
(Approval Required)
Terms Taught
ARBC 0700
Upcoming
Senior Thesis I
Course Description
Senior Thesis I
Approval required.
Terms Taught
ARBC 0701
Upcoming
Senior Thesis II
Course Description
Senior Thesis II
Approval required.
Terms Taught
CMLT 0700
Upcoming
Senior Thesis
Course Description
Senior Thesis
A senior thesis is normally completed over two semesters. During Fall and Winter terms, or Winter and Spring terms, students will write a 35-page (article length) comparative essay, firmly situated in literary analysis. Students are responsible for identifying and arranging to work with their primary language and secondary language readers, and consulting with the program director before completing the CMLT Thesis Declaration form. (Approval required.)
Terms Taught
FYSE 1008
Arabian Oral Poetry
Course Description
Arabian Oral Poetry
The Arabian Peninsula enjoys a rich legacy of oral poetry and written poetry with oral roots. In this seminar, we will explore how the oral poetic traditions of the Arabian Peninsula have evolved over time, starting with pre-Islamic odes from the 6th century CE and ending with contemporary poetry circulated on social media. In addition to reading, analyzing, and enjoying individual poetic texts and performances, we will consider how the concept of oral literature emerged with Milman Parry’s Oral Formulaic thesis, giving rise to new ways of reading historical texts, understanding the art of performance, and reckoning with the cultural implications of literacy.
Terms Taught
Requirements
IGST 0706
Upcoming
MES Senior Thesis
Course Description
Middle East Studies Senior Thesis
(Approval Required)
Terms Taught