Arabic
- ARA 101: Elementary Arabic IThis 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 Syrian colloquial dialects. Class activities are designed to foster communication and cultural competence through comprehension and grammar exercises, skits, conversation, videos and songs.
- ARA 105: Intermediate Arabic IThis 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 will be used in informal speaking and listening exercises.
- ARA 107: Intermediate Arabic IIStudy of Arabic grammar and syntax, and use of the language in functional contexts. Reading of extra material from articles, newspapers, short stories. Discussions are held in Arabic to enhance students' speaking skills.
- ARA 301: Advanced Arabic IDevelopment of speaking, listening, reading and writing at the upper-intermediate to advanced levels of proficiency. Course is taught primarily in Arabic.
- ARA 303: Media Arabic IIn 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.
- ARA 305: Levantine Colloquial ArabicAn 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.
- ARA 403: Topics in Arabic Language and Culture: Readings in the Arabic NovellaStudents in this course will read, analyze and discuss four modern Arabic short novels. Attention will be given to defining the novella genre and its place in modern Arab belles lettres. Students will be expected read approximately 25 pages of Arabic per week (10-15 pages per class meeting) and discuss each reading in Arabic. The course will feature both a midterm and a final paper.