MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICAN LANGUAGES PROGRAM

Spring 2021 Class Schedule

• Spring 2021 Class Schedule
• Spring 2021 Course Descriptions

Spring 2021 class Schedule

Spring 2021 course descriptions

Arabic Language Courses 

ARABIC 111-3: 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 121-3: 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 211-3: 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 

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 316-3: Topics in Arabic Literature: Reading Arabic Prose 

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 111-3: 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 121-3: 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 216-3: Topics in Hebrew Literature: The Four-Dimensional Jerusalem 

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 111-3: 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 111-3: 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 121-3: Second-Year Turkish: Istanbul - City Between East and West

Second-Year Turkish is a three-quarter intermediate course in modern Turkish. In the Spring quarter course, students will study the history and culture of Istabbul.  The authentic texts, videos, literary sources and guest speakers are accompanied by creative language learning exercises designed to help students function across different registers and genres.  The content-based course allows students to explore broader cultural, social, and political issues in Turkish.  

Course Prerequisite: Turkish 121-2 or equivalent, or permission of the instructor.

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