Course Descriptions

Modern Standard Arabic (Required)

The Middlebury School in Morocco offers Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) courses tailored to students’ proficiency levels. These courses utilize the Al-Kitaab textbook (Part II, 3rd edition & Part II, 2nd) as core texts, supplemented by additional materials provided by instructors. These materials will explore various aspects of Moroccan and Arab culture, covering a wide range of topics that include sociocultural, linguistic, anthropological, and political themes. Students have access to office hours and academic support, with opportunities for peer interaction across different proficiency levels. This engagement fosters both linguistic development and a deeper understanding of Moroccan and Arab culture.

Moroccan Colloquial Arabic (Daarija) (Required)

In this course, the student develops the capacity to understand both main ideas and details in continuous speech on various topics in colloquial Moroccan Arabic (Daarija). While full understanding is still limited, by the end of the course, students are able to ask questions as well understand the responses, express facts and opinions in complex sentences, and engage in conversations in Daarija with native speakers on a wide range of topics. This course enables the student to meet daily and situational needs and requirements of a study and work routine. The student will also be able to handle complex conversations with confidence on social attitudes in simple non-academic language. Some sample topics that are typically covered in this course include descriptions, guidance, family issues, topics related to friendship, and medical issues. Grammar will also be taught in this course as it relates to the above mentioned topics and as a general overview.

Borders of Struggle: Migration and Justice in the Maghreb

This course examines the complex and evolving dynamics of Sub-Saharan African migration through the Maghreb, focusing on the intersection of migration, justice, and human rights. As North Africa has become a major transit and destination region for migrants and refugees from Sub-Saharan Africa, the Maghreb faces unique social, political, and humanitarian challenges. This course delves into the experiences of these migrants, the policies that shape their journeys, and the justice issues they encounter, including discrimination, marginalization, and legal barriers.

Beyond the Revolution: Gender, Social Movements, and Politics in North Africa

This course offers an in-depth exploration of the intersections between gender, social movements, and electoral politics in North Africa, focusing on the post-Arab Spring period. It examines the transformative impact of the 2011 uprisings on political participation, social activism, and gender dynamics across Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Algeria.

Empowering Communities : Civil Society and Sustainable Development in North Africa

This course explores the essential role of civil society in advancing sustainable development across North Africa. In a region facing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges, civil society organizations—including NGOs, community groups, and social enterprises—play a vital part in driving sustainable initiatives and advocating for change. Through this course, students will examine how these organizations contribute to sustainable development, tackle local issues, and empower communities to build a more resilient and equitable future.

Introduction to the Maghreb: Culture, History and Society

The Maghreb المغرب (translated as “the farthest west” in Arabic), which encompasses Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, has historically served as a significant crossroads connecting Africa, Asia, and Europe. In recent years, the region has attracted the attention of not only specialists but also the educated public and the governments of the United States and Europe. This course provides a general introduction to the Maghreb, allowing students to familiarize themselves with the historical, cultural, and social processes that have shaped and transformed the region. Students will also investigate pressing cultural and social issues, as well as various forms of literary and artistic expression. Key topics will include the role of colonial powers in the region, postcolonial Maghrebian societies and nation-states, the impact of the Cold War, regional political systems, religion in the Maghreb, social movements advocating for democracy, literature and the arts, educational systems, gender relations and family dynamics, as well as food, drink, sports, and media.

Representing Morocco: From Mark Twain to the Beat Generation

This course examines the politics of representation, with a specific focus on American literary works concerning Morocco. Employing a flexible historical framework, we will critically analyze a range of theoretical texts and case studies spanning from the mid-nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century. The primary emphasis will be on the representation of Moroccan culture, people, and places within these narratives. Discussions will engage with questions such as: How did specific political and ideological attitudes influence the construction and dissemination of Western knowledge regarding Morocco? In what ways did Americans derive inspiration from the exotic, and how did they translate foreign experiences for domestic audiences? How do travel narratives and other literary texts depict different cultures and locations? To what extent do these narratives blur the boundaries between fact and fiction?