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Introduction to Arabic Phonology and Script
Fall 2012
Students will master the writing system of standard Arabic, as well as the sounds of the language. A basic vocabulary of over 100 words will be learned, and at the end of the term students will be able to engage in short, simple conversations. Both Levantine and Egyptian pronunciation will be covered. Assumes no prior knowledge of Arabic.
Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30-6:00 p.m. starting September 5
Syllabus:
Introduction to Arabic Phonology and Script – LG-580
Syllabus for Fall 2012
Prof. Steven Blackburn – 860-509-9560 (office), Mon-Fri 10-4
Textbooks: Alif-Baa: Introduction to Arabic Letters and Sounds by Brustad et al. 2nd ed.
Al-Kitaab fi ta`allum al-`arabiyya by Brustad et al. Part I, 2nd ed.
Dictionary (optional): Arabic English Dictionary (Wehr), edited by J M. Cowan
In this course students will be introduced to two modes of Arabic: the “Standard” language based on the Classical Arabic of the Qur’an, and a “colloquial” version as spoken by the educated classes of Egypt.
No one can be said to “know” Arabic unless both types, “standard” and “colloquial,” have been mastered. This semester begins the lengthy process of doing just that.
Each of the two exams will count for 25% of the final grade; attendance and class participation is also 25%; homework assignments and quizzes on the first three lessons in al-Kitaab cumulatively will account for 25% of the final grade.
Students who show steady improvement during a semester will have their earlier, lower grades happily “forgotten” in averaging out final marks. On the other hand, absences of more than three weeks (six class sessions) will automatically result in Failure.
The following weekly schedule is open to adjustment during the course of the semester.
September 5 Arabic – an Overview
September 10 & 12 Unit 1, Alif-Baa
September 17 & 19 Unit 2, Alif-Baa
September 24 & 26 Unit 3, Alif-Baa
October 1 & 3 Unit 4, Alif-Baa
October 8 & 10 Unit 5, Alif-Baa
October 15 & 17 Unit 6, Alif-Baa
October 22 & 24 Unit 7, Alif-Baa
October 29 & 31 Unit 8, Alif-Baa
November 5 & 7 Unit 9, Alif-Baa
November 12 & 14 Unit 10, Alif-Baa and Comprehensive Review
November 19 EXAM on Alif-Baa in its entirety
November 21 Reading Day – NO CLASS
November 26 & 28 Lesson 1, al-Kitaab
December 3 & 5 Lesson 2, al-Kitaab
December 10 & 12 Lesson 3, al-Kitaab
Monday 12/17 Comprehensive Review of Lessons 1 – 3, al-Kitaab
Wednesday 12/19 FINAL EXAM
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 – or both – 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 data: 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.