ARAB 320Quranic Arabic

Catalog

Perhaps the most venerated book in human history, the Quran remains a challenging text for both the Arab and non-Arab reader. This course will focus on the text of the Quran (the first and most important book written in Arabic) in the original Arabic, with attention to vocabulary, tropes and expressions, grammar [syntax (nahw) and morphology (sarf)], and style. Selections from commentaries written by the scholars of the Quran will be consulted, but the main text will be the Quran itself, in particular the short Surahs attributed to the Meccan period of Muhammad's ministry; key verses like the Throne Verse and the Light Verse; and the entirety of the Surah of Joseph and selections from the Surah of Mary. For each class session, students will complete lessons from the textbook focusing on vocabulary and grammar, and prepare selected passages from the Quran to be read aloud in class with correct vocalization, followed by their translation and analysis. Throughout the semester, students will be introduced to a wide range of electronic resources available to scholars of the Quran. It has long been known that the best language learners memorize not only words but phrases, sentences, and culturally important and relevant texts. In keeping with the definition of culture as the collective memory of a people, students will memorize a number of Quranic verses and shorter Surahs. Assessment will be based on active participation, classroom drills, quizzes, and a final exam. Prerequisite: successful completion of ARAB 102 or permission of the instructor. This course fulfills one of the major/minor requirements in Middle East Studies or Arabic Studies.