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

Typically offered: Fall

Semesters Offered This Academic Year: Fall

Prerequisites: None.

Instructor: Zitnick

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

Typically offered: Spring

Semesters Offered This Academic Year: Spring

Prerequisites: ARAB 101 or permission of the instructor.

Instructor: Zitnick

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

Typically offered: Summer

Prerequisites: None

Instructor: Zitnick

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

Typically offered: Fall

Semesters Offered This Academic Year: Fall

Prerequisites: ARAB 102, or permission of the instructor.

Instructor: Aadnani

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

Typically offered: Spring

Distribution Requirements: LL - Language and Literature

Semesters Offered This Academic Year: Spring

Prerequisites: ARAB 201 or permission of the instructor.

Instructor: Aadnani

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

Typically offered: Fall

Distribution Requirements: LL - Language and Literature

Semesters Offered This Academic Year: Fall

Prerequisites: ARAB 202 or by permission of the instructor.

Instructor: Zitnick

ARAB 250 Research or Individual Study

Units: 1

Typically offered: Spring; Fall

Semesters Offered This Academic Year: Fall, Spring

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

ARAB 250H Research or Individual Study

Units: 0.5

Typically offered: Spring; Fall

Semesters Offered This Academic Year: Fall, Spring

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

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

Typically offered: Fall

Distribution Requirements: LL - Language and Literature

Semesters Offered This Academic Year: Not Offered

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

Instructor: Zitnick

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

Distribution Requirements: LL - Language and Literature

Semesters Offered This Academic Year: Not Offered

Prerequisites: ARAB 202 or permission of the instructor.

Instructor: Zitnick

ARAB 310 / MES 310 Resistance & Dissent North Africa & Middle East

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

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

Semesters Offered This Academic Year: Not Offered

Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor.

Instructor: Aadnani

ARAB 315 Media Arabic

This course is designed for those students who want to continue to study Modern Standard Arabic for professional purposes at a more advanced level. This course offers combined training in listening, speaking, reading, writing and grammar in accordance with the ACTFL Guidelines at the Intermediate and Advanced levels. The course entails discussions of contemporary Arabic media topics. Students will explore the media landscape of an Arabic-speaking country of their choice, prepare presentations and lead group discussions of weekly topics. Course evaluation is based on attendance, class participation, short written assignments, in-class presentations and a final paper.

Units: 1

Typically offered: Every other year

Distribution Requirements: LL - Language and Literature

Semesters Offered This Academic Year: Spring

Prerequisites: ARAB 202, or permission of the instructor.

Instructor: Zitnick

ARAB 350 Research or Individual Study

Units: 1

Typically offered: Spring; Fall

Semesters Offered This Academic Year: Fall, Spring

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

ARAB 350H Research or Individual Study

Units: 0.5

Typically offered: Spring; Fall

Semesters Offered This Academic Year: Fall, Spring

Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor.