Arabic (ARAB)

Introduction to reading, writing, pronunciation, and aural comprehension of modern standard Arabic; simple grammatical forms; basic vocabulary.

Continuation of ARAB 1 ; development of additional skills in conversation, reading, and writing; grammar and vocabulary building; cultural components. ARAB 2 Elementary Modern Standard Arabic II (4) (BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.This language and culture course, which counts towards the language requirement for B.A. (and some other) degrees, presents the second semester of the study of the Modern Standard Arabic language and an exploration of several aspects of Arab cultures. ARAB 2 is the continuation of ARAB 1 , an elementary course designed to introduce learners of Arabic as a second/foreign language to the basic structures of Arabic and to its uses in common situations of everyday communication. ARAB 2 begins with a review of the basics learned in ARAB 1 , and, as in some sections of ARAB 1, the course may follow the story of an Arab American family. ARAB 2 expands on vocabulary, goes into more complex grammar structures, and further introduces Arab culture. The "multiplicity" of the Arabic language and the coexistence of spoken (colloquial) and written standard forms of Arabic continue to be addressed in order to prepare the student for the complex reality of the language. This course underscores all four communication skills (reading, speaking, listening and writing) and uses audio and video material to take the learner to native speakers in their natural environment; introducing invaluable listening segments and various cultural aspects of the Arab world. The course may also have recourse to popular media such as films, comics, newspaper headlines, websites, music, and songs. Students are reminded through their oral presentations that Arabic is spoken as an official language in 22 countries with diverse and rich historical, political, economical, religious, artistic, and literary venues, and Arabic is also used in many additional parts of the world. Class activities and projects are designed to enable students to become active, creative participants, and transmitters of new knowledge to their peers. The course is designed for students who have completed Arabic 001 in Penn State's language sequence or have the equivalent level of language proficiency. In turn, this course serves as a prerequisite for AARAB 3. 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.

More complex grammatical forms; vocabulary building principles; continued development of skills in conversation, reading, writing; culturally-oriented readings and films. ARAB 3 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 3 is an intermediate course designed as a continuation of ARAB 2 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 2 in Penn State's language sequence or have the equivalent level of language proficiency. In turn, ARAB 3 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.

Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.

Courses offered in foreign countries by individual or group instruction.

ARAB 110 is a fourth-semester (upper intermediate) Arabic culture and language course, designed for students who have successfully completed Arabic 003, or those who demonstrate an equivalent competence in Modern Standard Arabic. The course focuses on selected aspects of the cultures to be found among Arabic-speaking communities and countries around the world, and it emphasizes the diversities within, as well as between, these cultures. Learners of Arabic as a second/foreign language will improve their language skills, especially in written and spoken communication, and they will develop their intercultural competence. The material is always presented through culturally rich texts, as the course uses authentic texts in Arabic to expand the student's knowledge of both language and culture. Students have many opportunities to increase their knowledge and appreciation of the varieties of cultural production in the Arabic-speaking world. Along with continuation of language learning, students are exposed to resources such as short stories, travelers' tales, websites, film, music, graphic fiction (comics), etc. The multiplicity of colloquial versions of the Arabic language, and their coexistence with Modern Standard Arabic, are explained in order to prepare students for encountering the complex reality of the language and its many cultures. This course can be taken as a stand-alone, or used to fill a requirement for the Arabic Minor, and as a prerequisite for Penn State's 400-level courses in Arabic.

The Qur'an is the sacred text of Islam. Revered by over a billion Muslims today, it is little understood by non-Muslims. This course will introduce students to the literary and religious meanings of this important text, which is seen as both the very word of God as well as the premier example of Arabic style. Attention will be given to the many cultures which have been influenced by this text, especially the Middle Eastern world. All readings will be in English translation.

This course introduces students to the history and culture(s) of the Islamic world from c. 600-1500. The course develops a historical framework for understanding developments in religious and legal thought and practice, science, medicine, and technology, philosophy, and the arts. Students will learn about culture through lecture and discussion and through examination and analysis of a variety of texts and examples of material culture from different periods and regions.

Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.

Courses offered in foreign countries by individual or group instruction.

Supervised off-campus, nongroup instruction including field experiences, practica, or internships. Written and oral critique of activity required.

Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.

Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.

Courses offered in foreign countries by individual or group instruction.

Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.

Courses offered in foreign countries by individual or group instruction.

Fifth-semester Modern Standard Arabic: reading more complex texts, films, further development of conversation, composition skills, Arab cultures, current issues. ARAB 401 Advanced Language & Cultures I (3)(IL) (BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirement.This language and culture course, which fulfills International Cultures requirement or the Other Cultures requirement within the Bachelor of Arts degree, will offer a continuation of the study of the Modern Standard Arabic language and an exploration of several aspects of Arab cultures. Language skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening) are further developed through the exploration of several culturally important themes that illustrate a range of cultural situations and contexts. Among the themes that may be discussed are the following: new opportunities and also persistent problems facing Arab youth; social and economic conditions in which fundamentalist and other groups present their agendas; the condition of women and the pressures often exerted by society's norms and traditions to keep women out of the public scene; cultural, emotional, and literary reactions to the tragedy of displaced peoples; Islam and other religions among Arab cultures; love and the images and symbolism used to describe it; the writings of one or more well-known authors, including the evolution within the works of the author(s) and the influence of these writings on Arab thought; Arabic cultures in various parts of the world, including the U.S. All themes are presented in the target language and represent a wide range of Arabic culture and current issues. The course may also involve popular media such as comics, newspaper headlines, music and songs, and a visit to the library. Class activities and projects are designed to enable students to become active and creative participants and transmitters of new knowledge to their peers. Students will be asked to conduct research using authentic material, and to write a short paper in Arabic as a wrap up of their final presentation.

Sixth-semester Modern Standard Arabic: reading more complex texts, films, further development of conversation, composition skills, Arab cultures, current issues. ARAB 402 Advanced Language & Cultures II (3) (IL) (BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.This language and culture course, which fulfills the Humanities or the International Cultures requirement within General Education or the Other Cultures requirement within the Bachelor of Arts degree, will build upon previous courses in the Arabic curriculum and offer a continuation of the study of the Modern Standard Arabic language, an exploration of several aspects of Arab culture in a range of contexts, and the exploration of current issues and topics of interest in Middle Eastern media. Among the themes that may be discussed are the following: the achievements of Arab Nobel Prize winners, holiday traditions, colloquial Arabic, love, social and economic conditions of the poor and the middle-class, practical and psychological problems arising from belonging to a certain social class, ways in which the state (in different countries) relates to the needs of the people, Arab cultures in various parts of the world including the U.S., and a variety of the most recent social and political newspaper and magazine articles.All themes are presented in the target language and represent a wide range of Arabic culture and current issues. The course course may also involve popular media via the reading of comics, relevant headlines, music and songs, and computer practice for students to learn how to type in Arabic and benefit from available resources to equip students with this useful Arabic tool. Class activities and projects are designed to enable students to become active and creative participants and transmitters of new knowledge to their peers. Themes will often be examined comparatively and will draw on students' personal experience to connect with the material presented.The course is designed for students who have completed Arabic 401 in our language sequence or have the equivalent level of language proficiency. At University Park the course will be offered every semester or every other semester, according to enrollment patterns and the availability of staff. At other locations, course-offering patterns will be determined by their needs.

Supervised student activities on research projects identified on an individual or small-group basis.

Supervised student activities on research projects identified on an individual or small-group basis.

Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.

Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.

Courses offered in foreign countries by individual or group instruction.