University Bulletin
Undergraduate Degree Programs
ARAB 003
Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic (4) More complex grammatical forms; vocabulary building principles; continued development of skills in conversation, reading, writing; culturally-oriented readings and films.
ARAB 003 Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic (4)
(BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.
This language and culture course, which completes the 12th-credit-level language requirement for B.A. (and some other) degrees, presents the third semester of the study of the Modern Standard Arabic language and an exploration of several aspects of Arab cultures.
ARAB 003 is an intermediate course designed as a continuation of ARAB 002 and a basis for further study of Arabic as a second or foreign language. The course intends to alert students to the wealth and intricacies involved in learning the Arabic language and its many cultures. In addition to being the official language of 22 countries, with great ancient civilizations, complex modern histories, and intense political situations, Arabic is also the language of the Islamic religion; the language of a booming music and film industry, and the language of a significant body of literature. The multiplicity of the Arabic language, as well as the coexistence of colloquial and modern standard Arabic, is addressed in this course. The course emphasizes all four communication skills (reading, speaking, listening and writing). Vocabulary and grammar are expanded. Students become involved in the Arabic language and its cultures through various activities, which may be designed around a serialized and audio-visually enhanced story set in an Arabic environment, as well as through an oral report presented in class. The course may use popular media such as films, comics, newspaper articles, music, websites, and songs. Themes relating to contemporary experience are treated, such as relationships with family members and friends, the decision to immigrate, daily life within a residence, how a child of an Arab immigrant feels, the cultural importance of hospitality, and the month of Ramadan.
The course is designed for students who have completed ARAB 002 in Penn State's language sequence or have the equivalent level of language proficiency. In turn, ARAB 003 course serves as a prerequisite for ARAB 110. Placement within the Arabic language sequence follows the University's foreign language placement policy; for example, students whose native language is Arabic are not eligible to receive credit in this course.
Note : Class size, frequency of offering, and evaluation methods will vary by location and instructor. For these details check the specific course syllabus.