A 050 (Introductory Course): An entry-level course that employs student-
centered methods to teach mastery of script, pronunciation and the nominal
sentence. No prior background in Arabic required. (Three weeks, 60 hours)
A 100 (Beginning Level): An entry-level course which uses a student-centered
approach to introduce basic grammatical structures & sound patterns of Arabic,
with attention to mastery of script, pronunciation and listening comprehension.
No prior background in Arabic required. (Six weeks, 120 hours)
A 200 (Lower Intermediate Level): Aims to expand vocabulary and to further
develop the four skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. Lessons focus
on reading comprehension and introducing more complex grammatical
structures. Prerequisite: A 100 or Language Coordinator's approval. (Six weeks,
120 hours)
A 250 (Introduction to the Arabic Newspaper): Exposes students to basic
newspaper vocabulary and structure starting with analysis of headlines. Sequel
course: Media Arabic, A 350. Prerequisite: A 200 or Language Coordinator's
approval. (Three weeks, 45 hours)
A 300 (Upper Intermediate Level): Further expands students’ vocabulary base
to permit reading of increasingly authentic texts from newspapers, journals, and
other sources such as Al-Kitaab Al-Assasi, while introducing controlled writing
assignments. Focuses on listening comprehension and reading to facilitate
interactive conversations on complex subjects. Prerequisite: A 200 or Language
Coordinator's approval. (Six weeks, 120 hours)
A 350 (Media Arabic): Seeks to build a media vocabulary sufficient for students
to grasp the gist of a newspaper article or news broadcast with minimal
intervention of the dictionary. Includes graded newspaper readings from Middle
Eastern dailies & taped material from Moroccan television and radio.
Prerequisite: MSA 300 or Language Coordinator's approval. (Three weeks, 45
hours)
A 400 (Advanced Level): Prepares students for independent study in A focusing
on stylistic devices, vocabulary refinement, and communicative skills. Ideal for
scholars wishing to hone their ability to comprehend Arabic university lectures
and to express themselves on technical subjects in speech and in writing. This
course also makes use of additional texts and short stories from various sources
in order to reinforce the student's ability to read and comprehend complex
writings. Prerequisite: A 300 or Language Coordinator's approval. (Six weeks,
120 hours)
A 450 (Advanced Readings in Contemporary Maghrebi Literature): Survey of
modern Arabic literature by major North African authors focusing on the short
story genre with discussion of the cultural underpinnings of this literature as well
as schools of criticism dealing with the authors in question. Knowledge of French
and Maghrebi dialect(s) is helpful but not obligatory. Prerequisite: A 400 or
Language Coordinator's approval. (Three weeks, 45 hours)
A 460A (Advanced Readings in Islamic Texts I): An introduction to the Quran
and the sciences related to it. Includes a survey of the history of the revelation
(asbâb at-tanzîl), compilation (tadwîn) of the Quran, principles of correct
recitation (tajwîd) and discussion of exegesis (tafsîr). Prerequisite: A 400 or
Language Coordinator's approval. (Three weeks, 45 hours)
A 460B (Advanced Readings in Islamic Texts II): This three-week course
consists of a broad introduction to the study of hadîth, including historical
background on the major compilations, and a broad overview of Islamic
jurisprudence (fiqh) focusing on the 4 main schools (madhâhib) of Sunni law.
Authentic Islamic manuscripts are used as central texts and emphasis is placed
on stylistic aspects and essential terminology. Prerequisite: A 400 or Language
Coordinator's approval. (Three weeks, 45 hours)
A 500 (Upper Advanced Level): Focusing on stylistic aspects of different literary
genres, this course uses a sampling of authentic texts drawn from both
contemporary and classical sources, and involves substantial writing
assignments. While Al-Kitaab Al-Assasi, Volume III, and Al-Kitaab fii Ta'allum
al-'Arabiyya, Volume III, are used as central texts, emphasis of course material
may be adjusted according to student interests. Prerequisite: A 400 or
Language Coordinator's approval. (Six weeks, 120 hours)
