Textbook:
Al-Kitaab fi ta`allum al-`arabiyya by Brustad et al.
Dictionary (recommended, but not required):
A Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic (Wehr), edited by J M. Cowan
In this course students will continue their foray into the world of two modes of Arabic: the “Standard” language based on the Classical Arabic of the Qur’an, and a spoken version “colloquial” from the educated classes of Egypt.
No one can be said to “know” Arabic unless both types, “standard” and “colloquial”, have been mastered. This semester continues the lengthy process of doing just that.
Your work will be weighted as follows for your final grade:
Homework assignments 20%
Vocabulary quizzes 20%
Chapter tests 20%
Attendance and class participation 20%
Final Exam 20%.
While ANY syllabus is tentative, every effort will be made to adhere to the following schedule:
Monday, January 28 - Introduce Lesson 1
Wednesday, January 30 - Vocabulary QUIZ, Lesson 1
Monday, February - 4 QUIZ (questions), continue Lesson 1
Wednesday, February 6 - complete Lesson 1
Monday, February 11 - Vocabulary QUIZ, Lesson 2
Wednesday, February 13 - QUIZ on Plurals, Lesson 2
Monday, February 18 - PRESIDENTS’ DAY – Seminary Closed
Wednesday, February 20 - continue Lesson 2
Monday, February 25 - complete Lesson 2
Wednesday, February 27 - Vocabulary QUIZ, Lesson 3
Monday, March 3 - continue Lesson 3
Wednesday, March 5 - complete Lesson 3
Monday, March 10 - TEST Lessons 1-3
Wednesday, March 12 - Vocabulary QUIZ, Lesson 4
Monday, March 17 - READING WEEK – NO CLASSES
Wednesday, March 19 - READING WEEK – NO CLASSES
Monday, March 24 - continue Lesson 4
Wednesday, March 30 - complete Lesson 4
Monday, March 31 - Vocabulary QUIZ, Lessons 5
Wednesday, April 2 - Second Vocabulary QUIZ, Lesson 5
Monday, April 7 - continue Lesson 5
Wednesday, April 9 - complete Lesson 5
Monday, April 14 - Vocabulary QUIZ, Lesson 6
Wednesday, April 16 - Masdar QUIZ, Lesson 6
Monday, April 21 - Alimentary QUIZ, Lesson 6
Wednesday, April 23 - continue Lesson 6
Monday, April 28 - complete Lesson 6
Wednesday, April 30 - Review
Monday, May 5 - Review
Wednesday, May 7 - FINAL EXAM
NB: When learning a language, it is (infinitely?) better to work a little each day than to cram on weekends or over large chunks of time. In other words, an hour each day of review and preparation during the week is to be preferred over spending the entirety of a Saturday or Sunday trying to catch-up.
Also, in learning a language, it is better to use your out-of-class time to work on material that has already been presented in class, rather than to “work ahead”. Working ahead risks internalizing faulty linguistic input: This is NOT a “teach yourself” course!
“I’m not here to hand out bad grades” is one of my mottos. Every effort will be made to keep you all up to speed, that being one of the luxuries of having a small class.
Most importantly: HAVE FUN! Even though Arabic is NOT an easy language, it CAN be enjoyable. I’ll try to make it that way; if you work, there is that much more chance of making it that way for yourself
Steven Blackburn