2020-2021 Course Descriptions
Arabic Language Courses
ARABIC 111-1, 2, 3: First-Year Arabic
First-Year Arabic, Arabic 111, is a three-quarter sequence providing a thorough grounding for listening, speaking, reading, and writing Arabic. The course follows the integrated approach which blends the standard Arabic, Fuṣḥā, and the dialect or colloquial language, āmmiyya, in a way that reflects the authentic practice of native Arabic speakers. To develop reading and writing skills, we will be using Modern Standard Written Arabic called Fuṣḥā; to develop speaking and listening skills, we will be using an educated spoken version of the āmmiyya of the Levantine dialect. The integrated approach is an effective, logical, and economical method of instruction that successfully teaches the complexities of the Arabic sociolinguistic and diglossic situation and prepares students fully for the realities of the Arabic world.
Course Prerequisite: None. Students with prior knowledge of Arabic (learned either though school or at home) will need to take the Arabic placement exam before being allowed to register.
ARABIC 121-1, 2, 3: Second-Year Arabic
Second-Year Arabic is a three-quarter sequence which will build on skills acquired in first-year Arabic. We will continue to cover basic grammar points, expanding writing skills and building vocabulary. In order to learn Arabic in a way that reflects the authentic practice of native Arabic speakers, we will develop more refined speaking and listening skills using Shami, the spoken Arabic variety. By the end of this course, writing and reading MSA will be enhanced and your ability to speak Levantine Arabic the way Arabs do in everyday life, will be dramatically improved.
Course Prerequisite: Arabic 111-3 or equivalent, placement exam passing out of 111-3, or permission of the instructor.
ARABIC 125-0: Media Arabic (Fall 2020)
Media Arabic is a one-quarter course that is strongly recommended for students, undergraduate or graduate, with at least an intermediate knowledge of Modern Standard Arabic who want to a) supplement their prior knowledge of Arabic language to understanding the more specific, stylized content of Arabic-speaking media such as Al Jazeera or BBC News Arabic; and b) who want to learn more about the Middle East and its conflicting interests as portrayed in broadcast news and print media. Each week, students will learn new important expressions, practice listening skills to understand headlines and short news segments, as well as begin to develop the vocabulary necessary for improved reading comprehension of authentic print materials such as articles and longer broadcast news features.
Course Prerequisite: Arabic 121-2, or permission of the instructor.
ARABIC 211-1, 2, 3: Third-Year Arabic
Third-Year Arabic is an intermediate level three-quarter course in Modern Standard Arabic in which students will continue to advance their proficiency in Arabic language and learn more about the culture and the people of the Middle East. The course will enhance learners’ ability to read, write, understand and discuss challenging authentic Arabic text from different sources. This will include a variety of textual resources from newspapers, magazines, journal articles, audio and video clips, short stories and other relevant material to the students’ field of study.
Course Prerequisite: Arabic 121-3 with a C- or better, or permission of the instructor.
ARABIC 216-0: Language and Culture: Cairo and its Seven Layers of Civilization (Spring 2021)
Cairo is an intermediate leven course in which students will learn about the history and intricacies of the Arab culture through the specific examples of Cairo. Moving away from a traditional textbook based model to a content-based course, it incorporates authentic texts and literary sources as well as external voices into classes through Video, Skype, or Zoom. The course incorporates creative language learning exercises designed to help students to function across different registers and genres.
Course Prerequisite: Arabic 121-3, or permission of the instructor.
ARABIC 245-0: Current Events in the Middle East: Arab Society through Online News Media (Winter 2021)
This course engages students in learning about current events in the Middle East. In-depth explorations of a variety of news topics through online news media such as newspaper articles, blogs and videos help students build a comprehensive vocablary and explore the specialized language of Media Arabic as well as learn to respect alternative topics, ideas and diversity of views as expressed in the media sources. There is a clear shift in readership trends in the MENA region, expecially since young people across the Arab world have become socially and politically active online, as well as through contributions to media and newspaper columns. And although newspapers and online social media are two very different platforms, it is clear that both continue to play a role in shaping the way news and public opinion are disseminated and shared.
Course Prerequisite: Arabic 125-0 and one 200-level Arabic course, or permission of the instructor.
ARABIC 311-1, 2: Fourth-Year Arabic (Fall 2020, Winter 2021)
Fourth-Year Arabic is a three-quarter sequence with the goal of reviewing advanced grammar points so that students can read a variety of authentic Arabic material on their own. The course embraces a communicative approach using mostly MSA – the formal language used in reading, writing and formal speaking in the Arab world. Reading comprehension exercises and lively discussions allow students to practice new vocabulary and grammar concepts in class. We will be working on theme-based units covering a range of topics.
Course Prerequisite: Arabic 211-3 with a C- or better, or permission of the instructor.
ARABIC 316-2: Reading Modern Arabic Texts (Fall 2020)
Reading Modern Arabic Texts is a one-quarter course for undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in exploring the multi-faceted language and cultural history of The Thousand and One Nights, also called The Arabian Nights (Arabic Alf laylah wa Laylah). This rich collection of middle eastern and South Asian folk tales, encompassing the real and the supernatural, wealth and poverty, love and marriage, power and punishment, and the endless tests and uncertainties of fate, has long been considered a treasure of literary styles and genres. The stories were told and retold over a period of several centuries incorporating material from Arab, Persian, Turkish, Greek, and Indian sources before they were written down. As such, the stories offer an invaluable opportunity for students to engage with and learn from the power of storytelling.
Course Prerequisite: Arabic 211-3 with a C- or better, or permission of the instructor.
ARABIC 316-3: Topics in Arabic Literature: Reading Arabic Prose (Spring 2021)
This course offers a valuable chance to students who want to explore Arabic literary prose in depth. It also provides foundational skills for students who want to pursue graduate careers in Arabic literature of Middle Eastern Studies. The course will survey excerpts and selections of Arabic literary prose with emphasis on different styles of analyzing literary work from the early 20th century to the present.
Course Prerequisite: Arabic 211-2 or equivalent, or permission of the instructor.
Hebrew language courses
HEBREW 111-1, 2, 3: First-Year Hebrew
First-Year Hebrew is a three-quarter course designed to develop language learning as well as provide a cultural foundation. The course is based on a communicative-cultural approach weaving together listening, reading, speaking, and writing practice sessions in each lesson. New vocabulary and new grammatical structures are introduced and practiced in context. The students will learn to read and write the Alef-Beit (Hebrew alphabet) in both systems – the printing letters, Dfus, for reading and the writing letters, Ktav, for writing.
Course Prerequisite: None. Students with prior knowledge of Hebrew (learned either though school or at home) will need to take the Hebrew placement exam before being allowed to register.
HEBREW 121-1, 2, 3: Second-Year Hebrew
Second-Year Hebrew is a three-quarter sequence which will cover comprehensive grammar explanations and examples as well as interactive exercises for the intermediate adult learner. The purpose of the course is to enlarge the student’s vocabulary and to reinforce and expand students’ knowledge of Hebrew grammar. The readings will be in a level-appropriate difficulty with more information on Israeli daily life and reality
Course Prerequisite: Hebrew 111-3 or equivalent, or permission of the instructor.
HEBREW 245-0: Current Events in Israel: Israeli Society through Online News Media (Winter 2021)
Israel's press and broadcasters are many and varied, reflecting differences in language, political viewpoint and religious outlook. All cater to a modern, developed and literate society and play an important role in political, social and cultural life and in the way news and public opinion are disseminated and shared. The course engages the students in learning about the importance of the Israeli media and how it reports current events and cultural topics for its diverse citizens. In-depth explorations of a variety of news topics will help students build a comprehensive vocabulary, explore the specialized language of Media Hebrew as well a begin to understand and respect alternative topics, ideas and diversity of views as expressed in the media sources.
Course Prerequisite: Hebrew 121-3, or permission of the instructor.
HEBREW 216-3: Topics in Hebrew Literature: The Four-Dimensional Jerusalem (Spring 2021)
In this course, students will gain a deeper understanding of some of the complexities of Israeli culture through the specific example of Jerusalem. Students will get a glimpse of the diverse cultures as they are portrayed in literary and visual art. Students will read poems by Yehuda Amichai, watch clips and episodes from TV series where Jerusalem takes place as an actress in her own right, and will learn about the history of Jerusalem and how this history affects the current intricacies of this unique city.
This course fulfills an Area VI Distro Requirement. Course Prerequisite: Hebrew 121-3, or permission of the instructor.
persian language courses
PERSIAN 111-1, 2, 3: First-Year Persian
First-Year Persian is a three-quarter sequence of Elementary Persian focusing on speaking, listening, reading, and writing as well as the acquisition of culture. In addition to using an elementary Persian textbook for a systematic introduction of vocabulary and grammar points, adapted materials such as literary sources and social media are introduced to practice grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension in context. The course also integrates authentic material from available online sources for improving listening comprehension and cultural understanding. This introductory Persian course is open to both undergraduate and graduate students who are entirely new to the language or have very little background.
Course Prerequisite: None.
Turkish language courses
TURKISH 111-1, 2, 3: First-Year Turkish
First-Year Turkish is a three-quarter introductory course in modern Turkish. This course aims to introduce students to the essential points of modern Turkish grammar and vocabulary to develop basic reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. The course also provides insights into modern Turkish culture through the language. Bi-weekly Turkish Language Table meetings allow students additional opportunities to practice speaking and listening skills, and further exposure to Turkish culture.
Course Prerequisite: None. Students with prior knowledge of Turkish (learned either though school or at home) will need to take the Turkish placement exam before being allowed to register.
TURKISH 121-1, 2, 3: Second-Year Turkish
Second-Year Turkish is a three-quarter intermediate course in modern Turkish which continues basic Turkish grammar, and further develop reading, writing, speaking and listening skills through the use of printed and audio-visual materials. In the Spring quarter (121-3), the content-based course will study the history and culture of Istanbul. Authentic outside sources and creative language learning exercises will help students function across different registers and genres.
Course Prerequisite: Turkish 111-3 or equivalent, or permission of the instructor.