Arabic Language Courses

Arabic Language Courses (ARAB)

001. Beginning Arabic I. (A) Sayed. See the CGS Course Guide. **This course does not fulfill the College language requirement.

This is a beginner course in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). It will introduce you to the speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in the standard means of communication in the Arab world. The course is proficiency-based, implying that all activities are aimed at placing you, the learner, in the context of the native-speaking environment from the very beginning. Evaluation is done by the more traditional testing methods (vocabulary tests, dictations, grammar and translation exercises). We anticipate that by the end of this course (ARAB 002) students will range in proficiency from Novice High to Intermedaite Low on the ACTFL scale; in other words (using the terminology of the government's Foreign Service Institute), from 'incipient survival' to 'full' survival' in the native-speaking environment.

002. Beginning Arabic II. (B) Sayed. Prerequisite(s): ARAB 001 or permission of the instructor. See the CGS Course Guide. **This course does not fulfill the College language requirement.

003. Continuing Arabic III. (A) Sayed. Prerequisite(s): ARAB 002 or permission of the instructor. See the CGS Course Guide. **This course does not fulfill the College language requirement.

This is the continuation of ARAB001 and ARAB 002, the elementary course in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). This course is also proficiency-based, implying that all activites within the couse are aimed at placing you, the learner, in the context of the native-speaking environment from the very beginning. As in ARAB 001-002, evaluation is done by the more traditional testing methods (vocabulary tests, grammar and translation exercises). Completion of this course fulfulls the College of General Studies language requirement in Arabic but not the requirement of the School of Arts and Sciences. However, it should be emphasized that you will need a longer period of study to achieve proficiency in Arabic. We anticipate that students range from Intermediate Low to Intermediate High according to the ACTFL scale.

004. Continuing Arabic IV. (B) Sayed. Prerequisite(s): ARAB 003 or permission of the instructor. See the CGS Course Guide. **This course does not fulfill the College language requirement.

031. (ARAB631) Elementary Arabic I. (A) Staff.

This is the non-intensive beginners course in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). It will introduce you to the speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in the standard means of communication in the Arab World. The course is proficiency-based,implying that all activities within the course are aimed at placing you, the learner, in the context of the native-speaking environment from the very beginning.

032. (ARAB632) Elementary Arabic II. (B) Staff. Prerequisite(s): ARAB 031.

033. (ARAB633) Intermediate Arabic III. (A) Staff. Prerequisite(s): ARAB 032 or equivalent.

This is the continuation of the non-intensive Elementary course in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). This course is also proficiency-based, implying that all activities within the course are aimed at placing you, the learner, in the context of the native-speaking environment from the very beginning.

034. (ARAB634) Intermediate Arabic IV. (B) Staff. Prerequisite(s): ARAB 033.

035. (ARAB635) Advanced Intermediate Arabic I. (A) Staff. Prerequisite(s): ARAB 034.

This is a proficiency-based course which continues from the first intermediate course, ARAB 033. Emphasis continues to be on all four language skills: Speaking, Listening, Reading, & Writing. The readings for the class are chosen from actual texts from both medieval and modern Arabic in a variety of fields and subjects. Students will be expected to give classroom presentations and to write short essays in Arabic. Evaluation will be both Achievement- and proficiency- based. The test of speaking ability will consist of the Oral Proficiency Interview.

036. (ARAB636) Advance Intermediate Arabic II. (B) Staff. Prerequisite(s): ARAB 035.

037. (ARAB637) Advanced Arabic and Syntax I. (A) Rushdie. Prerequisite(s): ARAB 36 or permission of the instructor.

Advanced syntax through the reading of Arab grammarians. Development of reading in bulk. Emphasis on classical Arabic read in works by medieval and modern writers. This course is designed to give the student experience in reading whole works in Arabic and giving reports on them.

038. (ARAB638) Advanced Arabic & Syntax II. (B) Staff. Prerequisite(s): ARAB 037.

039. (ARAB639) Colloquial Arabic. (C) Staff.

A one-semester, introductory course to the spoken Arabic of the Levant region: Lebanon, Syria, Palestine and Israel.

131. Intensive Elementary Arabic I&II. (L) Staff. Offered through the College of General Studies Summer Session I.

This is the beginners' course in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). It will introduce the student to speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in the standard means of communication in the Arabic world. The course is proficiency-based, implying that all activities are aimed at placing the student in the context of the native-speaking environment from the very beginning. Evaluation is done by the more traditional testing methods (vocabulary tests, dictations, grammar and translation exercises). We anticipate that by the end of this course students will range in proficiency from Novice High to Intermediate Low on the ACTFL scale; in other words (using the terminology of the government's Foreign Service Institute) from 'incipient survival' to 'full survival' in the native-speaking environment.

133. Intensive Intermediate Arabic I&II. (L) Staff. Offered through the College of General Studies Summer Session I.

This is a six-week intensive course offered in the summer through the College of General Studies; see the Penn Summer Course Guide. This is the continuation of ARAB031-32 or ARAB 131, the elementary course in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). This course is also proficiency-based, implying that all activities within the course are aimed at placing the student in the context of the native-speaking environment from the very beginning. As in ARAB 031-032 or ARAB 131, evaluation is done by the more traditional testing methods (vocabulary tests, grammar and translation exercises). Completion of this course fulfills the College of Arts and Sciences language requirement in Arabic. However, it should be emphasized that the student will need a longer period of study to achieve proficiency in Arabic. We anticipate that students range from Intermediate Low to Intermediate High according to the ACTFL scale.

135. Intensive Advanced Intermediate Arabic I&II. (L) Staff. Offered through the College of General Studies Summer Session I.

This is a six-week intensive course offered in the summer through the College of General Studies; see Penn Summer Course Guide. It continues from the first intermediate course, ARAB 033/034 or ARAB 133. Emphasis continues to be on all four language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students will be expected to give classroom presentations and to write short essays in Arabic. Evaluation will be both achievement-based and proficiency-based. There is no Oral Proficiency Interview at the end of this session, but we anticipate that by the end of this, third year students will range in proficiency from Intermediate High to Advanced Mid on the ACTFL scale.

331. (ARAB531) Advanced Spoken Standard Arabic. (C) Staff. Prerequisite(s): ARAB 035 (AMES 033).

The course will concentrate on the reading and speaking skills at the advanced level. Students will be assigned reading and audio-visual materials on which to prepare oral classroom presentations. Final examination in the course will be based on performance in the oral proficiency interview.

332. (ARAB532) Advanced Arabic Composition. (M) Staff. Prerequisite(s): ARAB 035 (AMES 033).

Development of writing skills within a variety of subjects. Extensive readings in various prose techniques and a thorough review of Arabic grammar.

SM 432. (COLL226, COML432) Arabic Readings in Belles-Lettres. (A) Arts & Letters Sector. All Classes. Allen. Prerequisite(s): Proficiency in ARAB 035.

Readings in Arabic texts taken from a variety of literary genres from all periods. The course aims to improve reading skills and vocabulary by introducing students to extensive passages taken from Arabic literature.

433. Arabic Readings in the Social Sciences and the Media. (K) Distribution Course in Society. Class of 2009 & prior only. Staff. Prerequisite(s): Proficiency in ARAB 035.

This course is designed to train students interested in a professional career involving the use of Arabic written materials. The texts are selected to reflect various topics and styles. An additional specialized glossary will be

SM 435. Readings in Islamics. (M) Lowry. Prerequisite(s): Completion of ARAB 035, Advanced Intermediate Arabic; or permission of the instructor.

This course provides practice in reading pre-modern classical Arabic texts drawn from a variety of intellectual disciplines, especially (but not exclusively) the religious sciences.

SM 436. Introduction to Classical Arabic Texts. (C) Lowry. Prerequisite(s): Completion of ARAB 035, Advanced Intermediate Arabic; or permission of the instructor.

This course aims to provide incoming graduate students and advanced undergraduate students with an introduction to issues in Arabic grammar and syntax that commonly arise in pre-modern Arabic texts. Students will also be introduced to, and expected to consult, the standard reference works used as aids in reading such texts. Students will be expected to prepare a text or set of texts assigned by the instructor for each session. Preparation means, for these purposes, supplying all vowels and other necessary diacritical marks, as well as looking up unfamiliar words and constructions in appropriate dictionaries or other reference works. Regular attendance and thorough preparation are essential to success in this course. It is intended that, upon completion of this course, students will be able to work independently with a wide variety of pre-modern Arabic texts.

531. (ARAB331) Advanced Spoken Standard Arabic. (A) Staff. Prerequisite(s): ARAB 035.

532. (ARAB332) Advanced Arabic Composition. (M) Staff. Prerequisite(s): ARAB 035.

Development of writing skills within a variety of subjects. Extensive readings in various prose techniques and a thorough review of Arabic grammar.

631. (ARAB031) Elementary Arabic I. (E) Staff. Prerequisite(s): For the second semester: completion of the first semester or permission of the instructor.

632. (ARAB032) Elementary Arabic II. (E) Staff.

633. (ARAB033) Intermediate Arabic III. (E) Staff. Prerequisite(s): ARAB 033 or equivalent. For the second semester: completion of the first semester or permission of the instructor.

This is the continuation of the non-intensive Elementary course in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). This course is also proficiency-based, implying that all activites within the course are aimed at placing you, the learner, in the context of the native-speaking environment from the very beginning.

634. (ARAB034) Intermediate Arabic IV. (E) Staff.

635. (ARAB035) Advanced Intermediate Arabic I. Staff. Prerequisite(s): ARAB 033 or permission of instructor.

636. (ARAB036) Advanced Intermediate Arabic II. (E) Staff.

637. (ARAB037) Advanced Arabic and Syntax I. (C) Staff. Prerequisite(s): ARAB 037 or permission of the instructor.

638. (ARAB038) Advanced Arabic & Syntax II. (B) Staff.

639. (ARAB039) Colloquial Arabic. (M) Staff.

A one-semester, introductory course to the spoken Arabic of the Levant region: Lebanon, Syria, Palestine and Israel.

SM 730. Topics in Islamics. (C) Staff.

The topic may vary from year to year.

SM 731. Topics in Islamic Studies. (C) Lowry.

Topics vary from year to year in accordance with the interests and needs of students.