Approved by University Studies Sub Committee

Approved by University Studies Sub Committee. A2C2 action pending

Approved by Faculty Senate November 7, 2005
A. Course Description

1. Catalog Description:

ARAB 101 – Arabic for Beginners – 4 s.h.

This course is an introduction to the Arabic language and its script.

Arabic 101 is a combination of oral and written exercises. Prerequisites: none. Letter grade only. Offered according to demand.

2. Course Outline of the Major Topics and Subtopics:

A. Arabic Writings

1. Arabic alphabet

2. Arabic numbers

3. Reading different types of Arabic scripts

B. Vocabulary and Grammar

1. Everyday life vocabulary

2. Verbs and tenses

3. Singular and plural form of nouns and adjectives

4. Structuring of Arabic sentences.

C. Arabic Culture

1. Different Arabic dialects

2. History of Arabic expansion

3. Islam, festivals, customs, foods

4. Media: newspapers, movies, music and the internet

3. Basic Instruction Plan and Methods:

Instructional Methods Used:

·  Lectures and presentations with slides and the internet

·  Group conversation and questions and answers

·  Written exercises

·  Play-acting

·  Short on the spot quizzes

·  Exams

4. Course Requirements and Means of Evaluation

1. Continuous active participation (attendance)

2. Written and oral assignments

3. Exams (3)

4. Grading:

Attendance and participation 30%

Assignments 25%

Exam 1 15%

Exam 2 15%

Exam 3 15%

5. Course Materials

Select materials from:

·  Wightwick, Jane, Read and Speak Arabic for Beginners, 1st ed., McGraw-Hill,

2003

·  Wightwick, Jane, Your First 100 Words in Arabic: Beginners Quick & Easy Guide to

Demystifying Non-Roman Scripts, 1st ed., McGraw-Hill Publishing,1999.

·  Articles from newspapers of different countries in the Middle East.

·  Arabic (Dubbed) Cartoons—The Lion King

·  Music from many different artists—Amr Diab, Mustafa Ammar, Shereen, etc.

6: List of References

Awde, Nicholas, The Arabic Alphabet: How to Read & Write It, Saqi Books, 2003.

Mace, John, Teach Yourself Beginner’s Arabic Script, 1st ed., McGraw-Hill Publishing,

2003.

Mughazy, Mustafa, Dardasha: Let’s Speak Egyptian Arabic: A Multidimensional

Approach to the Teaching and Learning of Egyptian Arabic As a Foreign Language (Let’s Speak African Languages Series), Bilingual ed., National African Language Resource Center Publishing, 2004.

Saleh, Mohi el-Din, Learning Arabic: A step-by-step Approach to Reading and Writing

Arabic, International Islamic Publishing House.

Wightwick, Jane, Arabic Verbs and Essentials of Grammar: A Practical Guide to Mastery

of Arabic, 1st ed., McGraw-Hill Publishing, 1997.

Wightwick, Jane, English-Arabic Arabic-English Dictionary & Phrasebook (Hippocrene

Dictionary and Phrasebook), 1st ed., Hippocrene Books, 2003.

Wightwick, Jane, Read and Speak Arabic for Beginners, 1st ed., McGraw-Hill, 2003.

Wightwick, Jane, Your First 100 Words in Arabic: Beginners Quick & Easy Guide to

Demystifying Non-Roman Scripts, 1st ed., McGraw-Hill Publishing,1999.

B. Rationale

1. Statement of the major focus and objective of the course.

Students of this course are trained in basic skills such as reading, writing and counting in Arabic. Greetings, common phrases, and Arabic culture mannerisms are also introduced.

2. Specify how this new course contributes to the departmental curriculum.

There is a demand for Arabic. The Arabic classes offered have been well attended. Therefore, the department would like to take this opportunity to broaden its offerings beyond European languages. Arabic is a language broadly spoken in the Middle East and in Africa.

3. Indicate any course(s) which may be dropped if this course is approved.

None

C. Impact of this course on other departments, programs, majors or minors.

None