ARAB 104. Introductory Arabic (3)

Students are introduced to Arabic letters and sounds and to the two modes of Arabic: the 鈥淪tandard鈥 language based on Classical Arabic and the 鈥渃olloquial鈥 Arabic. Students develop basic listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in the target language and gain awareness of the diversity of Arab cultures through class materials, discussion, internet, film and outside activities. Besides work in the classroom, computer-based assignments to be completed outside of class are required. Intended for students with no previous formal instruction in Arabic. Anyone with previous instruction must take the placement exam and are admitted to 104 only if the placement score does not qualify the student for Course includes diversity content.

Course Objectives

  1. To recognize and produce letters and sounds accurately.
  2. To develop proficiency in listening, speaking, writing and reading.
  3. To develop basic communicative skills and practicing grammatical structures.
  4. To express oneself and participate in simple one-to one conversation.
  5. To be familiar with some of the differences between formal and spoken Arabic.
  6. To understand Arab culture through class materials, discussion and internet activities.

Course Materials

  1. Alif Baa, an Introduction to Arabic Letters and Sound (With DVDs), Third Edition, by Brustad, Al-Batal & Al-Tonsi.
  2. Al-kitab fii Taalum Al-Arabia: A Textbook for Beginning Arabic. (With DVDs) Part one, Third Edition, by Brustad, Al-Batal & Al-Tonsi

To understand more Arabic Culture, a variety of outside activities will be held during the semester.

  • Al-Hiwar Hour: The purpose of the "Al-Hiwar Hour"(conversation hour) is to give the opportunity to students to practice Arabic once a week in small groups outside class.
  • Cultural Activities:
    • Lunch at an Arabic restaurant
    • Visit Arabic sites in 成人头条
    • Let's make Hummus & Tabuli!
    • Guest speakers
    • Adopt a country presentations
    • Arabic Movie Night

Companion website:


ARAB 105. Elementary Arabic I (3)

Students continue to develop the four fundamental skills in formal and colloquial Arabic (listening, speaking, reading and writing) and gain cultural awareness of the diversity of Arab cultures through class materials, discussion, internet, film and outside activities. Besides work in the classroom, computer-based assignments to be completed outside of class are required. Course includes diversity content. Prerequisite(s):  or qualifying score on departmental placement exam.

Course Objectives

  1. To develop all language-related skills including reading, listening, speaking, writing, and cultural knowledge.
  2. To initiate and sustain complicated communicative exchange.
  3. To conduct conversations concerning topics related to daily needs and activities to survive in an Arabic speaking setting.
  4. To read basic texts within a limited context of vocabulary and structure.
  5. To write short essays and paragraphs on familiar topics.
  6. To satisfy social demands and limited work requirements.

Course Materials

  1. Al-Kitab fii ta鈥檃alum al-鈥楢rabiyya: A textbook for Beginning Arabic. (With DVDs) Part one (Third Edition); by Brustad, Al-Batal & Al-Tonsi.
  2. The concise Oxford English-Arabic Dictionary, Hans Wehr, Ithaca.

Companion website: www.alkitaabtextbook.com/


ARAB 106. Elementary Arabic II (3)

Students engage in culturally appropriate communicative tasks in different registers and situations to further develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Students continue to learn the two modes of Arabic: the 鈥淪tandard鈥 language based on the Classical Arabic, and the 鈥渃olloquial鈥 Arabic. Besides work in the classroom, computer-based assignments to be completed outside of class are required. Course includes diversity content. Prerequisite(s): one unit of high school Arabic,  or departmental consent.

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