Arabic Studies

ARBC 101     Introduction to Arabic Language and Culture 1     4 Credit Hours

First course in the two-course elementary Arabic sequence. Listening comprehension, speaking, reading, writing, and culture are emphasized. Course materials promote the use of language to communicate with others and function in Arabic culture. (F,W,S).

ARBC 102     Beginning Arabic II     4 Credit Hours

Second course in the two-course elementary sequence. Continued emphasis on culture and the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. (F,W,S).

Prerequisite(s): ARBC 101 or MCL 101 or Arabic Language Placement with a score of 102 or Arabic Language Placement with a score of 201 or Arabic Language Placement with a score of 202 or Arabic Language Placement with a score of 301 or Arabic Language Placement with a score of 302

ARBC 201     Introduction to Arabic Language and Culture 3     4 Credit Hours

An intermediate-level course designed to increase proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in a cultural context. Emphasis is placed on acquiring new vocabulary and expanding the use of grammar structures. (YR).

Prerequisite(s): ARBC 102 or MCL 102 or Arabic Language Placement with a score of 201 or Arabic Language Placement with a score of 202 or Arabic Language Placement with a score of 301 or Arabic Language Placement with a score of 302

ARBC 202     Introduction to Arabic Language and Culture 4     4 Credit Hours

Second course in the two-course intermediate Arabic sequence. Continued emphasis on the development of the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. (YR).

Prerequisite(s): ARBC 201 or MCL 201 or Arabic Language Placement with a score of 202 or Arabic Language Placement with a score of 301 or Arabic Language Placement with a score of 302

ARBC 301     Advanced Arabic Writing and Conversation     4 Credit Hours

This course is designed for students who have already had the equivalent of four semesters of Arabic instruction. The course emphasizes the four language skills with specific attention to the productive skills, oral and written. The course introduces authentic reading materials drawn from different disciplines such as religion, literature, history, and politics, reflecting different styles of Arabic and different periods. This course includes a Practice-Based Project expressed in a Writing Project and an Oral Presentation and Report (Literary and historical figures of the Arab world). (F).

Prerequisite(s): ARBC 202 or Arabic Language Placement with a score of 301 or Arabic Language Placement with a score of 302

ARBC 304     The Poetry of Arab Women from the Pre-Islamic Age to Andalusia     4 Credit Hours

The course is a comprehensive study of the poetry of Arab women from the 600s CE to the 1400 CEs, a period that is often the focus of historical, political, and religious studies in US academia. It examines the cultural and literary impact of Arab women, a contribution traditionally underrepresented in academia. The course is taught in English and the poems are studied in translation. No prior knowledge of Arabic is necessary. Students of Arabic may submit their assignments and papers in Arabic. This course adopts the project-based learning approach and a relevant final project enables students to practically apply the comparative, analytical, and creative skills they learn in this class. (F, W, YR).

Prerequisite(s): ARBC 202

ARBC 305     Language of Business     4 Credit Hours

An introduction to the language and cultural practices of the Arab world of business. Particular emphasis will be placed on learning the terminology used in typical business correspondence and documents related to the world of finance, investment, import, and export, and commerce. A variety of businesses will be examined and opportunities for practice in reading and composing business letters will be provided. This course includes Practice-Based Project expressed in a Writing Project and an Oral Presentation and Report that incorporates real business practices in Arabic based on interaction with local businesses. (W, AY).

Prerequisite(s): ARBC 301

ARBC 310     Arabic Translation Skills: Arabic-English and English-Arabic     4 Credit Hours

Arabic Translation Skills is a practical guide that aims at developing students’ translation skills. Its target learners are advanced students and native speakers of Arabic and English. offers considerable practice for translation from Arabic into English. Students learn necessary skills to achieve working proficiency in three main genres of translation that are in high demand in the job market: document translation, conference interpreting, and film subtitling. This course is a Project Based Learning centered on a major project and/or on a research question related to the topic of the class and will imply hands-on work for a good portion of the semester. The project can be local or international community-driven and will connect to real-life experiences. (F, W, YR).

Prerequisite(s): ARBC 202

ARBC 311     Simultaneous Interpreting Arabic-English and English-Arabic     4 Credit Hours

Simultaneous Interpreting is a major skill. In the current situation of increasing flux of immigration and asylum, many instances necessitate the presence of interpreters to facilitate crucial communication for legal, medical, professional, and even personal reasons. With the state of Michigan as a hub of Arab-American communities, the need for simultaneous interpreters cannot be underestimated. This course trains students to work as interpreters of Arabic speakers to English speaking interviewers in medical, legal, and business settings, among others, as well as in conferences and seminars. Students carry out practical translation projects that provide hands-on training experience as part of the PBL approach this course adopts. (F, W, YR).

Prerequisite(s): ARBC 202

ARBC 312     Subtitling Arabic-English and English-Arabic     4 Credit Hours

Subtitling Arabic-English and English-Arabic offers students practical training in a rapidly growing field in translation. Students learn to translate audio-visual material ranging from news videos to documentaries, from songs to film, from recorded political speeches to talk shows. With the recent interest in Middle Eastern current affairs and culture, international media is constantly looking for reliable translations of media produced in Arabic speaking countries. This course covers strategies for translating a variety of Arabic media into English and applies such strategies to authentic material. Students carry out practical translation projects that provide hands-on training experience as part of the PBL approach this course adopts. (F, W, YR).

Prerequisite(s): ARBC 202

ARBC 331     Survey of Arabic Literature     4 Credit Hours

Arabic 331 surveys selections from writings in Arabic prose literature (maqama, novel, short story) and poetry that reflect the intellectual, literary and cultural development of the Arabs from pre-Islamic times, up to the present. The course will also explore the social, political, and cultural changes in the Middle East and the development of modern Arabic literary forms. This course adopts the project-based learning approach and a relevant final project enables students to practically apply the analytical, and creative skills they learn in this class.

Prerequisite(s): ARBC 301

ARBC 332     Arabic Cinema     4 Credit Hours

The course examines the development of Arabic cinema in its socio-cultural contexts through a range of selected films. It covers the different cinematic genres, prevalent themes and diverse trends and schools across the spectrum of Arab countries including Egypt, Tunisia, Lebanon, Morocco, and Palestine. The course elaborates on the careers of film directors and their approaches to film making and to the cultural issues of their time. The course will be conducted in Arabic. This course adopts the project-based learning approach and a relevant final project enables students to practically apply the comparative, analytical, and creative skills they learn in this class.

Prerequisite(s): ARBC 301

ARBC 335     Arabic Civilization     4 Credit Hours

This course gives students an appreciation of Arabic civilization through the study of excerpts from the masterworks of the literary and intellectual Arabic heritage. It provides practice in reading pre-modern and modern classical Arabic texts drawn from a variety of intellectual disciplines. Students may not receive credit for both MCL 3350 and ARBC 335. This course is a Project Based Learning centered on a major project and/or on a research question related to the topic of the class and will imply hands-on work for a good portion of the semester. The project can be local or international community-driven and will connect to real-life experiences.

Prerequisite(s): ARBC 301

Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Class is Sophomore or Junior or Senior

ARBC 350     Arabic Literature and Culture     4 Credit Hours

An introduction to the literature and other art forms of the modern Arab world in cultural and historical context. Topics include the Arab world-view, religious attitudes and self-expression, and ethnicity and gender. The course assumes no prior knowledge of the region. All readings will be English translation. This course adopts the project-based learning approach and a relevant final project enables students to practically apply the analytical, and creative skills they learn in this class. (YR).

ARBC 351     Contemporary Arabic Literature     4 Credit Hours

This course will explore the literary works of contemporary Arab writers from countries such as Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Algeria, France, and the U.S. Although the course covers a variety of literary genres such as the short story, memoirs, and poetry, it puts special emphasis on the Arab contemporary novel. It also provides an in-depth critical analysis of major themes dealt with by authors in their works such as identity, minority, gender, nationality, war, family, ethnicity, religion, homeland and home, politics, society and culture. Major historical, political, social, cultural, artistic and literary factors shaping and driving contemporary Arabic literary writings today also will be thoroughly examined. The course will feature films and documentaries in addition to internet-based activities. This course is a Project Based Learning centered on a major project and/or on a research question related to the topic of the class and will imply hands-on work for a good portion of the semester. The project can be local or international community-driven and will connect to real-life experiences.

Prerequisite(s): ARBC 301

ARBC 365     Intro to the Quran     4 Credit Hours

Full Course Title: Introduction to the Quran This is an interdisciplinary approach to studying the Qur'an as a religious revelation, literary text, and cultural symbolic language. The course will cover the historical context in which the Qur'an was revealed, disseminated and compiled as a religious scripture. Also, will cover major schools of interpretations and theological doctrines and its political, ideological transformations throughout Islamic history with a special focus on modern times. The class will be conducted in English with no prerequisite of Arabic. However, students minoring in Arabic, in order to receive credits counting for their minor, they are required to write their papers in Arabic. This course is a Project Based Learning centered on a major project and/or on a research question related to the topic of the class and will imply hands-on work for a good portion of the semester. The project can be local or international community-driven and will connect to real-life experiences. (S, OC).

ARBC 390     Topics in Arabic     3 Credit Hours

Examination of problems and issues in selected areas of Arabic. Title as listed in Schedule of Classes will change according to content. Course may be repeated when specific topics differ. (OC).