This class develops the basic structures and vocabulary for understanding, speaking, writing and reading Modern Standard Arabic, the shared formal variety of Arabic used throughout the Arab world. Students will also gain some familiarity with both Egyptian and Levantine colloquial dialects. Class activities are designed to foster communication and cultural competence through comprehension and grammar exercises, skits, conversation, videos and songs.

This course builds on the skills developed in Elementary Arabic. Students in this course work to improve their proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing. We will focus primarily on Modern Standard Arabic in reading and writing, but Levantine and/or Egyptian dialect may be used in informal speaking and listening exercises.

Continuation of ARA 107 with reading, writing, speaking, and listening development at the Intermediate High and Advanced levels of proficiency. After completion of the "Al-Kitaab," part 2 textbook, course will turn to reading in a variety of contemporary genres. Course will include review and expansion of students' grammatical knowledge. Students will be expected to communicate primarily in Arabic.

In this course, students will develop their skills in reading and listening to Arabic news media, including newspapers, magazines, websites, radio and satellite TV broadcasts (including BBC and al-Jazeera, among others). Attention will also be given to informal discussion of current news, and we will also take a brief look at political cartoons. Language of instruction will be primarily Arabic.

An introduction to spoken Levantine dialect. Materials in the course are designed to promote functional usage of the language, stressing the vocabulary and grammar of conversation as used in daily life in the Levant, particularly Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan.

Course explores accounts of Arab intellectuals, political activists and journalists who were imprisoned for political views. Drawn from a diverse group, these authors include men and women; secularists and religious thinkers; and are drawn from a variety of Arab countries. Read and discuss narratives entirely in Arabic; student will offer weekly responses to the texts and produce essays for the midterm and final. Explore a variety of responses to the experience of incarceration in the Arab world to improve comprehension and linguistic skills, and understand difficult and less commonly discussed aspects of the region's politics.