Advanced Modern Standard Arabic I

Course Description

USF Code: FOL 4102

NOTE: Summer language courses structure will be condensed due time constraints.

COURSE DESCRIPTION  

Advanced Modern Standard Arabic I is the first semester of Advanced – level Modern Standard Arabic. The course will expand and further develop the students understanding and effective use of Modern Standard Arabic, focusing on Chapters four through seven of Al-Kitaab (Part 2- 3rd Edition). The number of chapters covered may be increased if the students exhibit sufficient progress and proficiency in their studies to move forward.

Please note that the first three hours of this semester are for a focused review of vocabulary and grammar listed in Chapters 1 and 2 of Al-Kitaab (Part 2).

COURSE OBJECTIVES

This level will provide students the opportunity:
•    Strengthen and build upon foundation of the intermediate level in reading, writing, speaking and listening. 
•    Developing and refining all language skills. 
•    Expanding vocabulary learning and narration in present, past, and future time frames. 
•    Use the language to become more communicative and creative. 
•    Give frequent 8-15 minute oral presentations to develop oral production skills and proficiency 
•    Exposure to various aspects of the language, culture and history of the Arabic speaking world. 

METHOD AND APPROACH

In this program we will follow chapters 3-6 of Al-Kitaab fii Ta'allum Al-Arabiyya Part 2 with its DVDs chapter by chapter; we may introduce some changes if necessary. 

The student will prepare the lessons at home, do homework exercises on DVD, listen to texts, read vocabulary and write sentences or comment about the contents of the texts. Classroom work consists of further practice and clarification of ambiguities.

EXAMPLES OF CLASS ACTIVITIES

- Listening to the texts in DVDs. 
- Reading and Comprehension of the texts. 
- Making a conversation with classmates. 
- Listening to songs or conversations between people. 
- Writing an essay or decrypting some situations.
- Discussing a subject or topics. 
- Learning grammatical rules in context. 

REQUIRED MATERIALS  

1.    Brustad, Kristen, Mahmoud Al-Batal, and Abbas Al-Tonsi. Al-Kitaab fii Tacallum alcArabiyya: A Textbook Part 2. Washington, D.C. Georgetown University Press. Third edition.
2.    http://www.alkitaabtextbook.net/
3.    Wehr, H. A Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic. Third edition.
4.    Additional materials (Handouts on practical activities related to the main subject) will be added in class.

HOW TO MOVE TO ADVANCED II

Before moving to Advanced Arabic II the student must be successful in the Final exam which consists of:

a) Writing and Reading test (one hour).

b) Listening and Speaking test (one hour).

c) During the next class following the exam, there will be a review of corrections (one hour) to the Final exam.

 Note: There will be a training exam (one hour) during the class preceding the day of the Final exam.