ARAB 101
ARAB 101 - Elementary Arabic

An introduction to the Arabic language. The course takes a comprehensive approach to language learning and emphasizes the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students are introduced to the principles of grammar, taught how to read and write in the Arabic alphabet, and trained in the basics of everyday conversation. Through the use of a variety of written, video, and audio materials, as well as other resources made available through the Web, the course emphasizes authentic materials and stresses the active participation of students in the learning process.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 15

Prerequisites: None.

Instructor: Zitnick

Typical Periods Offered: Fall

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall

Notes:

ARAB 102
ARAB 102 - Elementary Arabic

An introduction to the Arabic language. The course takes a comprehensive approach to language learning and emphasizes the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students are introduced to the principles of grammar, taught how to read and write in the Arabic alphabet, and trained in the basics of everyday conversation. Through the use of a variety of written, video, and audio materials, as well as other resources made available through the Web, the course emphasizes authentic materials and stresses the active participation of students in the learning process.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 20

Prerequisites: ARAB 101 or permission of the instructor.

Instructor: Zitnick

Typical Periods Offered: Spring

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Spring

Notes:

ARAB 103
ARAB 103 - Intensive Introductory Arabic

An introduction to the Arabic language in an intensive course. The course takes a comprehensive approach to language learning and emphasizes the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students are introduced to the principles of grammar, taught how to read and write in the Arabic alphabet, and trained in the basics of everyday conversation. Through the use of a variety of written, video, and audio materials, as well as other resources made available through the Web, the course emphasizes authentic materials and stresses the active participation of students in the learning process. Students who complete this course will be ready and eligible to enroll in ARAB 201.

Units: 1.25

Max Enrollment: 15

Prerequisites: None

Instructor: Zitnick

Typical Periods Offered: Summer

Notes:

ARAB 201
ARAB 201 - Intermediate Arabic

A continuation of ARAB 101-ARAB 102. The course takes students to a deeper and more complex level in the study of the Arabic language. While continuing to emphasize the organizing principles of the language, the course also introduces students to a variety of challenging texts, including extracts from newspaper articles, as well as literary and religious materials. Students will be trained to work with longer texts and to gain the necessary communicative skills to prepare them for advanced-level Arabic.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 15

Prerequisites: ARAB 102, or permission of the instructor.

Instructor: Aadnani

Typical Periods Offered: Fall

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall

Notes:

ARAB 202
ARAB 202 - Intermediate Arabic

A continuation of ARAB 201. The course takes students to a deeper and more complex level in the study of the Arabic language. While continuing to emphasize the organizing principles of the language, the course also introduces students to a variety of challenging texts, including extracts from newspaper articles, as well as literary and religious materials. Students will be trained to work with longer texts and to gain the necessary communicative skills to prepare them for advanced-level Arabic.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 15

Prerequisites: ARAB 201 or permission of the instructor.

Instructor: Aadnani

Distribution Requirements: LL - Language and Literature

Typical Periods Offered: Spring

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Spring

Notes:

ARAB 205
ARAB 205 - Conversational Arabic

This course further develops students’ listening and speaking skills in Arabic, with special emphasis on achieving familiarity with a variety of Arabic dialects from across the Arab World. The primary focus will be on practicing conversation, as the curriculum will utilize a variety of materials, including videos, short stories, and films for discussion.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 14

Prerequisites: ARAB 202 or by permission of the instructor.

Instructor: Zitnick

Distribution Requirements: LL - Language and Literature

Typical Periods Offered: Fall

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall

Notes:

ARAB 250
ARAB 250 - Research or Individual Study

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 15

Prerequisites: ARAB 201-ARAB 202 or equivalent and permission of the instructor.

Instructor:

Typical Periods Offered: Spring; Fall

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Spring; Fall

ARAB 250H
ARAB 250H - Research or Individual Study

Units: 0.5

Max Enrollment: 25

Prerequisites: ARAB 201-ARAB 202 or equivalent and permission of the instructor.

Typical Periods Offered: Spring; Fall

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall; Spring

ARAB 301
ARAB 301 - Advanced Arabic I

Continuation of ARAB 201-ARAB 202. Involving further development of students' skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, this course exposes students to a variety of authentic Arabic materials, including print and online sources, incorporating MSA and diglossia. Focus on enhanced communication skills in Arabic and attention to the use of language in its sociocultural context. Appropriate for students who have completed ARAB 201-ARAB 202 at Wellesley or the equivalent in summer courses or international study programs.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 15

Prerequisites: ARAB 201-ARAB 202 or permission of the instructor.

Instructor: Zitnick

Distribution Requirements: LL - Language and Literature

Typical Periods Offered: Fall

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Not Offered

Notes:

ARAB 302
ARAB 302 - Advanced Arabic II

Further development of all linguistic skills with special attention to reading, writing, and discussion. The course also introduces students to modern Arabic literature. Focus on enhanced communication skills in Arabic and attention to the use of language in its sociocultural context. Appropriate for students who have completed ARAB 202 at Wellesley or the equivalent in summer courses or international study programs.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 15

Prerequisites: ARAB 202 or permission of the instructor.

Instructor: Zitnick

Distribution Requirements: LL - Language and Literature

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Spring

Notes:

ARAB 305
ARAB 305 - Arabic Translation Workshop

Study of the techniques and problems involved in translating from Arabic into English. Although the focus will be on text-to-text translation of short stories, poems and other types of literary texts, students will also experiment with speech-to-speech translation, text-to-speech translation, and speech-to-text translation. The aim of these varied activities is to help students acquire a deeper understanding of the Arabic language and to further their proficiency in the four linguistic skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. Students will also discuss a range of methods and options for tackling and translating challenging linguistic formulations and transferring meaning from the original context to the English-speaking context.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 15

Prerequisites: ARAB 201 - ARAB 202 or permission of the instructor.

Instructor:

Distribution Requirements: LL - Language and Literature

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Not Offered

Notes:

ARAB 307
ARAB 307 - Classical Arabic Literature

Close readings and study of selected prose and verse from the rich repertoire of Classical Arabic literature. Readings will be selected in part in response to the interests of students enrolled in the course, but are likely to include some of the following: readings from sacred texts and the traditional scholarly traditions, mystical and philosophical writings, historiographical and geographical writings, collections of stories, travelers' accounts, letters and diaries, and various kinds of poetry. All readings will be in Arabic, with discussion and written assignments mostly in English.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 12

Prerequisites: ARAB 201-ARAB 202 or permission of the instructor.

Instructor: Marlow

Distribution Requirements: LL - Language and Literature

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Not Offered

Notes:

ARAB 310
ARAB 310/ MES 310 - Resistance & Dissent, N.Afr & MidEast

An exploration of themes of resistance and dissent in the literatures and cultures of North Africa and the Middle East since the early 1980s. Topics include the rise of democratic movements, such as political parties, associations, and NGOs; the role and importance of Islam to the identity of contemporary nation-states in the region; the status of women and minorities in the ideologies of the movements under study; and the status and implications of dissent. Materials studied include works of fiction and nonfiction, films, speeches, song lyrics, and online publications.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 15

Crosslisted Courses: ARAB 310

Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor.

Instructor: Aadnani

Distribution Requirements: SBA - Social and Behavioral Analysis; LL - Language and Literature

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Spring

Notes:

ARAB 350
ARAB 350 - Research or Individual Study

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 25

Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor. Open to juniors and seniors.

Typical Periods Offered: Spring; Fall

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall; Spring

ARAB 350H
ARAB 350H - Research or Individual Study

Units: 0.5

Max Enrollment: 25

Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor.

Typical Periods Offered: Spring; Fall

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall; Spring