Arabic (ARAB)

ARAB 101  Beginning Arabic I  (3 credits)

Students who have studied this language for three or more years in high school, or who use it at home, are not eligible to register for this course. A basic introduction to the Arabic language with emphasis on speaking, reading, writing and listening through classroom drill and communicative activities. Meets World Languages Requirement.

ARAB 112  Beginning Arabic II  (3 credits)

For students who have completed Beginning Arabic I. Continuation of basic skills, intensive vocabulary practice through reading texts on culture and life of the Arabic-speaking world. Meets World Languages Requirement.

ARAB 121  Intermediate Arabic I  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): ARAB 112. This course is designed for students who have completed Arabic 101 and 112 at Montclair State University or students who have been placed at this level. Though the course continues to build on the listening comprehension skills developed in Beginning Arabic I and II, the focus is on reading and writing through the study of representative works and characteristic aspects of Arabic culture. Laboratory work is available. Meets World Languages Requirement.

ARAB 132  Intermediate Arabic II  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): ARAB 121. For students who have completed Arabic 121 at Montclair State University or students who have been placed at this level. Advanced development of listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing through the study of authentic texts, representative works and characteristic aspects of Arab life and culture. Meets World Languages Requirement.

ARAB 180  Arab Americans: Before and After 9/11  (3 credits)

This course examines the various manifestations of Arab American culture before and after the events of 9/11. By examining writings, visual materials, and media portrayals of Arabs in America, students will explore the major elements in the history of Arabs in America that have shaped their culture. Students wishing to complete written work in Arabic should register under the ARAB number; students completing written work in English should register under the ARIN number. Mutually Exclusive with ARIN 180.

ARAB 185  The Arab World and Religion  (3 credits)

This course examines the various manifestations of religion in modern Arab culture. Through works written by both Arab and Western authors, students will explore the major religions of the Arab world, and how they have shaped modern Arab culture. Course conducted in English. Students wishing to complete written work in Arabic should register under the ARAB number; students completing written work in English should register under the ARIN or RELG number. Meets Gen Ed - Global Cultural Perspectives. Mutually Exclusive with ARIN 185 and RELG 185.

ARAB 193  Introduction to Arab Culture  (3 credits)

This course introduces some of the main themes and concepts of Arab culture(s) in Arabic-speaking countries. This course will highlight such topics as the history, geography, and demographics of the Arab World; the concept of ethnicity and Arab identity; the importance of religion, namely Islam; political structures in Arab societies; family structure; the role of the Arabic language; literature, cinema; music, etc. Students wishing to complete written work in Arabic should register under the ARAB number; students completing written work in English should register under the ARIN number. Meets Gen Ed - Global Cultural Perspectives. Meets World Cultures Requirement. Mutually Exclusive with ARIN 193.

ARAB 203  Advanced Arabic I  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): ARAB 132. This course is designed for students who have completed Intermediate Arabic I and II at Montclair State University or students who have been placed at this level through an MSU official placement test. The course incorporates substantially more vocabulary than the previous two intermediate levels. Through the study of representative authentic works that highlight different aspects of the Arab culture, the accompanying tasks and activities emphasize reading and writing. Activities aimed at improving speaking and listening skills are incorporated as well. Laboratory work available. Meets World Languages Requirement.

ARAB 204  Advanced Arabic II  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): ARAB 203. This course is designed for students who have completed Advanced Arabic I at Montclair State University or students who have been placed at this level through and MSU official placement test. The course is a continuation of Arabic I and is characterized by more emphasis on reading and writing skills, listening and speaking are still adequately integrated in a manner that accomplishes advanced language proficiency. Laboratory work available. Meets World Languages Requirement.

ARAB 218  Spoken Arabic  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): ARAB 112. Spoken Arabic is an intermediate language course whose main objective is to enhance students' listening and speaking skills in the Arabic Language. The course will expose students to formal and informal spoken Arabic in various settings, and enable them to practice what they acquire in similar situations.

ARAB 220  Twentieth-Century Arabic Literature  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): ARAB 132 or departmental approval. This course is designed for students with an advanced knowledge and understanding of the Arabic language, as the majority of the material covered will be in Arabic. Most of the instruction, however, will be in English. The course presents representative poetry and prose composed in modern-day Arabic. We will analyze the works' principal themes and explore the times in which they were written. The purpose of the course is not only to familiarize students with Arabic literature, but to also build vocabulary, writing and grammar skills through the use of varied texts and writing assignments.

ARAB 221  Media Arabic  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): ARAB 204. Media Arabic is an advanced language course whose main objective is to enable students to master the language commonly used by the Arabic media and press. The course exposes students to the language of print and electronic media in the Arab world through exercises and authentic materials. Students will read news articles published in Arabic newspapers, and will watch/listen to newscasts aired on Arabic satellite TV and radio stations.

ARAB 261  Arabic Writing I  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): ARAB 121. This course is a high-intermediate language course whose focus is standard writing in modern Arabic. The course will expose students to authentic texts in Modern Standard Arabic about various topics and will develop their academic writing skills by focusing on using the composition process to write clear, well-organized, well-supported paragraphs and essays.

ARAB 320  Business Arabic  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): ARAB 203 or departmental permission. This course focuses on the development of culturally appropriate written and oral communication in business contexts. Specialized vocabulary, discourse styles and the interpersonal etiquette required to function effectively in the Arabic speaking business world will be addressed, as well as organization and culture of business in Arabic speaking countries. Students who complete this class will develop the skills necessary to conduct professional interviews, meetings and presentations, and produce written communication in a variety of styles required in a business setting, including emails, reports and letters. Taught in Arabic. Equivalent course ARAB 231 effective through Spring 2019.

ARAB 321  Arabic Reading I  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): ARAB 203. Arabic Reading I is a high intermediate Arabic course that is designed to develop reading and speaking skills by reading, discussing, and responding in writing and in conversations to materials regarding Arabs and their culture. The course will introduce students to authentic texts in Modern Standard Arabic about various topics and will develop their writing and reading skills by exposing them to different types of reading passages.

ARAB 325  Arabic Grammar I  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): ARAB 203. Arabic Grammar I is an intermediate language course whose focus is on formal sentence structure of Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). The course will introduce students to authentic texts in MSA about various topics and will develop their writing and reading skills by focusing on building and understanding well-formed sentences.

ARAB 351  Advanced Spoken Arabic  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): ARAB 218. Advanced Spoken Arabic is an advanced language course whose main objective is to enhance students' skills in Arabic Language listening and speaking skills. The course will expose students to formal and informal spoken Arabic in various settings, and enable them to practice what they acquire in similar situations. Meets World Languages requirement.

ARAB 375  Arabic Study Abroad  (3-9 credits)

Prerequisite(s): Departmental approval. This course is designed to give teachers and students the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of the historical, social, economic, and cultural life of an Arabic-speaking country or region. This aim will be achieved through visits to various representative sites, tours, and lectures.

ARAB 411  Quranic/Classical Arabic  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): ARAB 375 or equivalent knowledge of MSA based on placement test or interview by the instructor. Quranic/Classical Arabic is an advanced language course whose main objective is to enable students to master Classical Arabic, the language commonly used in the Quran, poetry and highly advanced prose. The course exposes students to the early form of Arabic which is still used in many contexts, especially in the Quran, literature, most historical documents, books, and encyclopedias. Students will read various texts in Classical Arabic and watch movies and songs that use this variety of Arabic.

ARAB 450  Translation I: Arabic-English-Arabic  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): ARAB 203 and ARAB 325. This course aims to provide students with the basic skills necessary to begin translating written and oral texts to and from Arabic and English. The course will focus on articles of various subjects including business, journalism, law, medicine and theology. Our study will involve an examination of vocabulary, comparative sentence structure, grammar, and syntax, and how best to communicate ideas and imagery in both languages. We will also include the study of translation theory and how to apply it to specific translation problems, exploring such concepts as: translation units; context; cognates; borrowing; calque; literal translation; degrees of freedom; translation loss; cultural issues; compensation; and genre.

ARAB 478  Independent Study in Arabic Language  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): ARAB 204. The goal of this course is to provide students and faculty with flexibility within the existing academic structure. Students and faculty may collaborate to create a course of study in the Arabic language which either supplements existing courses or fills in gaps which both or either student or faculty perceive in a student's curriculum. May be repeated twice provided the course content is different, for a maximum of 9 credits.