ARA-231: Intermediate Arabic I

School
Liberal Arts
Division
Language Studies
Department
World Languages
Academic Level
Undergraduate
Course Subject
Arabic
Course Number
231
Course Title
Intermediate Arabic I
Credit Hours
4.00
Instructor Contact Hours Per Semester
62.00 (for 15-week classes)
Student Contact Hours Per Semester
62.00 (for 15-week classes)
Grading Method
A-E
Pre-requisites
A grade of C or better in ARA-132 or in two years of high school Arabic, or instructor permission
Catalog Course Description

Follows ARA-132 and is the first of two intermediate-level Modern Standard Arabic courses focusing on communication in a cultural context. Develops students' reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in Modern Standard Arabic, expands their vocabulary, and deepens their knowledge of pronunciation and grammatical principles in order to comprehend and express essential ideas in both spoken and written Modern Standard Arabic. Presents Arabic culture.

Goals, Topics, and Objectives

Goal Statement

ARA-231 is designed to enable students to reach the Intermediate Low level on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency scale, focusing on language learning through communication, cultures, connections, comparisons, and communities.

Core Course Topics
  1. Nominal sentences
  2. Present tense in "jussive" case
  3. Definite and indefinite "idafa" (possessive phrase)
  4. Verb patterns
  5. Relative pronouns
  6. Coordinating and subordinating clauses
  7. Case endings for nouns and verbs
  8. Vocabulary
  9. Narrative writing
  10. Arabic culture and literature
Core Course Learning Objectives (Separated)
  1. Describe places using the nominal sentence structure
  2. Recognize and produce present tense verbs in the jussive case
  3. Distinguish between definite and indefinite idafa and accurately produce possessive phrases
  4. Explain and compare the verb patterns and provide examples of each
  5. Interpret and demonstrate correct usage of relative pronouns
  6. Interpret and demonstrate correct usage of coordinating and some subordinating clauses
  7. Use verbal markers to indicate tense and aspect
  8. Write about, speak about, and interpret situations using level-appropriate vocabulary
  9. Write simple descriptive and narrative essays on everyday themes
  10. Describe national, religious, and cultural festivities and traditions in the Arab world and how they compare to U.S. norms
General Information

Note: A grade of C- is not transferrable and is not accepted by some programs at HFC.

Assessment and Requirements

Assessment of Academic Achievement

Assessment of academic achievement will be identified and implemented by the class instructor. Methods will include, but not be limited to:

  • Participation
  • Homework assignments
  • Weekly/regular quizzes
  • Weekly/regular compositions
  • Chapter/unit tests
  • Oral presentation(s)/project(s)
  • Midterm/final exam
Texts

All sections of this level will use a textbook (and any accompanying materials) selected by the course coordinator and approved by the World Languages Committee.

Outcomes

General Education Categories
  • Humanities and Fine Arts
Institutional Outcomes
  • Humanities
MTA Categories
  • Category 5: Humanities and Fine Arts
Satisfies Wellness Requirement
No

Approval Dates

Effective Term
Fall 2024
ILT Approval Date
AALC Approval Date
Curriculum Committee Approval Date
Review Semester
Fall 2024