Arabic

Instructor: E-mail:

Fouad Oujani fouadoujani@yahoo.com Fouad.oujani@arapahoe.edu

Translation
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
(Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

Arabic, a language of poetry and religion, belongs to the Semitic group of languages which also includes Hebrew and Aramaic. It is spoken by more than 200 millions people around the world. There are more than thirty Arabic dialects. They differ from Morocco to Iraq. The Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is the source of all dialects and is spoken all over the Arab world.

ARA 111 – Arabic I

PREREQUISITE: None. This is a beginner course.

TEXTBOOK: Ahlan – Wa Salan, by Sahlad, Yale University Press, with audio CDs (copies of CDs to be purchased from ACC media department)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Arabic I is the first course in a sequence dealing with the development of functional proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing the Arabic language.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. To provide the student with the opportunity to acquire basic knowledge of Arabic alphabet, grammar, vocabulary and syntax.
2. To provide the student with continued practice in basic aural, oral, reading and writing skills.
3. To provide the student with continued practice in translations (English/Arabic – Arabic/English).
4. To provide the student with opportunity to learn about the culture of the Arab world and its relationship to the western world.

COURSE COMPETENCIES: Upon completion of this course the student at the novice level should be able to:

1. Reproduce comprehensibly the pronunciation and intonation of Arabic
2. Understand basic oral statements, instructions and questions
3. Apply accurately vocabulary and learned phrases in simple oral expressions
4. Demonstrate knowledge of vocabulary and grammar in basic conversations
5. Employ correct vocabulary and comprehensible grammar in writing simple sentences
6. Read and comprehend basic information
7. Identify geographical locations where Arabic language is spoken
8. Demonstrate an awareness of appropriate cultural behaviors in everyday situation

ARA 112 - Arabic II

PREREQUISITE: ARA 111 (Arabic I) or instructor permission.

TEXTBOOK: Ahlan – Wa Salan, by Sahlad, Yale University Press, with audio CDs (copies of CDs to be purchases from ACC media department)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Arabic II continues Arabic I in the development of functional proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing standard Arabic.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. To provide the student with the opportunity to acquire additional knowledge of Arabic alphabet, grammar, vocabulary and syntax.
2. To provide the student with continued practice in basic aural, oral, reading and writing skills.
3. To provide the student with continued practice in translations (English/Arabic – Arabic/English).
4. To provide the student with continued opportunity to learn about the culture of the Arab world and its relationship to the western world.

COURSE COMPETENCIES: The student at the novice-high level should be able to:

1. Demonstrate improved knowledge of Arabic alphabet and vocabulary
2. Demonstrate improved pronunciation and intonation of Arabic.
3. Comprehend and respond to oral directions and questions.
4. Verbalize simple personal ideas using correct pronunciation and grammar.
5. Comprehend simple, brief, written selections.
6. Write simple, guided compositions, based on everyday situations, using correct grammar, vocabulary and alphabet.
7. Demonstrate an awareness of appropriate cultural behaviors in everyday situations.
8. Demonstrate knowledge of some contributions of the Arabic culture to the western culture.

ARA 211 – Arabic III

PREREQUISITE: ARA 112 (Arabic II) or instructor permission

TEXTBOOK: Ahlan – Wa Salan, by Sahlad, Yale University Press, with audio CDs (copies of CDs to be purchases from ACC media department)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is the intermediate-low level and continues Arabic I and II in the development of increased functional proficiency in reading, writing, listening to and speaking the Arabic language.
Note: The order of topics and methodology will vary according to text and instructor.

COURSE COMPETENCIES: Upon completion of this course the student at the intermediate low level should be able to:

1. Use receptive skills to obtain meaning from conversations spoken on everyday topics.
2. Initiate, comprehend, and maintain meaningful communication in predictable and familiar situations
3. Apply receptive reading skills for the comprehension of selected texts, including literary selections.
4. Apply critical and logical skills in the creation of written texts, such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation, through written assignments that stress communication for specific audiences (formal / familiar).
5. Compare, contrast, and reflect on some attitudes and values of Arabic culture and American culture in relation to geographical, historical, cultural and linguistic aspects.
6. Practice strategic skills to communicate meaningfully and appropriately with a selected audience in oral and written form.
7. Demonstrate the ability to select and apply appropriate technology to solve problems or compile information in the study of the Arabic language and culture.

ARA 212 – Arabic IV

PREREQUISITE: ARA 211 (Arabic III) or instructor permission

TEXTBOOK: Ahlan – Wa Salan, by Sahlad, Yale University Press, with audio CDs (copies of CDs to be purchases from ACC media department)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is the intermediate-high level and continues Arabic I, II and III in the development of increased functional proficiency in reading, writing, listening to and speaking the Arabic language.
Note: The order of topics and methodology will vary according to text and instructor.

COURSE COMPETENCIES: Upon completion of this course the student at the novice level should be able to:

1. Use receptive skills to obtain meaning from more advanced conversations.
2. Initiate and participate in extended discussions with increased accuracy in pronunciation, idioms and grammar
3. Apply receptive reading skills for the comprehension of more advanced written material including literary selections and news articles.
4. Apply critical and logical skills – such as analysis, synthesis and evaluation - in the creation of written texts, descriptions and narrations.
5. Compare, contrast, and reflect on major attitudes and values of Arabic and American culture in relation to geographical, historical, cultural and linguistic aspects.
6. Practice strategic skills to communicate meaningfully and appropriately with a selected audience in oral and written form.
7. Demonstrate the ability to select and apply appropriate technology to solve problems or compile information in the study of the Arabic language and culture

Check the Schedule of Classes for special topics offering.

Course Descriptions