| ARA101 and 102 Readings in Arabic Heritage (3-0-3) Given in both Arabic and English, these two courses survey selections from writings in Arabic prose, literature and poetry that reflect the intellectual, literary and cultural development of the Arabs from pre-Islamic times up to the present day. Prerequisite/concurrent for ARA 101 in English: WRI 102. |
| ARA104 Arabic as a Second Language I (3-0-3) (Formerly ARA 100). Introduces students to the script of modern written Arabic and develops their confidence and knowledge in the four skill areas. Materials are designed using a modern approach to foreign language teaching. Does not satisfy the Arabic heritage requirement. Graded on a Pass/Fail basis. |
| ARA200 Arabic as a Second Language II (3-0-3) Builds upon the language skills developed in ARA 104 to further extend students' knowledge and proficiency in modern Arabic. Does not satisfy the Arabic heritage requirement. Graded on a Pass/Fail basis. Prerequisite: ARA 104 or permission of the instructor. |
| ARA201 Arabic Literature in Translation (3-0-3) Provides a detailed study of genre and theme in Arabic literature with special emphasis on the modern period. Focuses on literature as a vital reflection of Arab culture and society. For non-native speakers only. |
| ARA202 Arab-Islamic History and the History of Arabic Literature (3-0-3) Designed to illustrate the essential facts of Arab history. This very intensive and wide-ranging survey course focuses on the landmarks of Arabic literature from pre-Islamic to modern times and provides glimpses of the literary fruits borne within that milieu. The course will also deal with the fundamental facts of Arab history. |
| ARA206 Modern Arabic Prose (3-0-3) Surveys the renaissance of Arabic prose from the 19th century to the present. The general burden of the course is the study of the modern Arabic novel, short story, play and autobiography. Special attention is paid to the factors leading to the rise of these fundamentally Western literary forms in the Arab world as a result of the "Nahda" and to elements of fiction and drama in "parallel" forms in classical Arabic literature. The focus of the course is the study of the established works of Naguib Mahfouz and Tawfiq Al Hakim. |
| ARA207 Arabic Drama (3-0-3) Looks at the emergence of Arabic drama in the 19th century until the present day and assesses prototype drama forms of the medieval period. Through a study of selected plays by prominent authors, a picture will emerge of the influence of Arabic drama on Arabic literature. Attention will be given to the effect created by the use of colloquial dialogues in play scripts. A selection of video recordings will also accompany this course. |
| ARA210 Composition for Native Speakers of Arabic (3-0-3) (Formerly ARA 103). Aims to develop the writing skills of the native speaker of Arabic. Develops themes such as letter writing and gives attention to the development of personal style. Takes a historical look at styles of composition in Arabic. |
| ARA213 Contemporary Arabic Literature (3-0-3) Surveys modern and postmodern Arabic fiction, drama, poetry and criticism. Themes include love, death, exile, and social and political concerns. The course illustratesthe nexus between literary works and contemporary Arab life. |
| ARA220 Composition for Non-Native Speakers of Arabic (3-0-3) Aims to develop the writing skills of non-native speakers of Arabic. Develops themes such as letter writing and gives attention to the development of different styles in modern and contemporary Arabic writings. Prerequisite/concurrent: ARA 200. |
| ARA300 Arabic as a Second Language III (3-0-3) Builds on the earlier Arabic courses using materials that are more advanced. Video materials that build on grammatical structures and conversational skills practiced in earlier courses will be used as the focus for this course. Does not satisfy the Arabic heritage requirement. |
| ARA304 Modern Arabic Poetry (3-0-3) Surveys the renaissance of Arabic poetry from the 19th century to the present, principally through the stimulating first exposure to the West and the rise of Neo-Classicism by Al Barudi, Shawqi and others. Also investigates the steady and progressive exposure to the territory and soul of the West, which produced successive and contemporaneous waves of imitation, assimilation, "apostasy" and rejection. |
| ARA309 Business Arabic (3-0-3) Develops students' abilities in reading and writing Arabic-language business documents and proposals. Teaches Arabic speaking and listening skills necessary for effective communication in the business world. Prerequisite: ARA 200 or ARA 210. Does not satisfy the Arabic heritage requirement. |
| ARA310 Images of America in Arabic Literature and Film (3-0-3) Discusses the way in which America and the Americans have been portrayed in the Arabic travel accounts, Arab mass media, films, plays and cartoons from the 1890s to present. Prerequisite: WRI 102. |
| ARA312 Modern Arabic Literature: Prose and Poetry (3-0-3) Surveys the renaissance (Nahda) of Arabic literature from the early 20th century to the present. Illustrates contemporary literary trends such as neo-classicism, romanticism and modernism through the study of selected novels, short stories, drama and poetry. Prerequisite: WRI 102. |
| ARA314 Media Arabic (3-0-3) Teaches and practices the language skills necessary to comprehend and contribute to a wide range of Arabic language media. Prerequisite: ARA 200 or ARA 210. Does not satisfy the Arabic heritage requirement. |
| ARA340 The Social Context of Arabic (3-0-3) Discusses language issues in the Arab world by relating language to national identity. Identifies and characterizes sociopolitical problems related to the development of Modern Standard Arabic in the Arab world today and how they affect language planning, literacy development and evolution of MSA. Prerequisite: COM 203 or COM 204. |
| ARA401 Literary Criticism from the Arab Perspective (3-0-3) Surveys the history of Arab literary theories and of Arab literary criticism in classical times. The authoritative work by Ihsan Abbas (Tarikh Al Naqd Al Adabi 'ind Al Arab) provides the ideal framework for the course. |
| ARA404 Working with MSA Texts (3-0-3) Builds on the earlier Arabic courses using materials that are more advanced. Modern Standard Arabic texts (political, economic and social) will be used to develop further the grammatical structures and the four skills practiced in earlier courses. The course will cover advanced language competency and skills such as skimming, summarizing, paraphrasing and extended writing. Prerequisite: permission of advisor. Does not satisfy the Arabic heritage requirement. |
| ARA405 Literature of the Arabian Gulf (3-0-3) (Formerly ARA 305). Examines the contribution of literary figures in the Arabian Gulf, especially those of the United Arab Emirates, to Arabic literature in general. Prerequisite: ARA 213. |
| ARA494 Special Topics in Arabic Literature (1 to 4 credits) Presents a theoretical or practical topic proposed by the faculty beyond what is offered in existing courses. Can be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: topic specific. |
