Topics in Arabic Studies

Catalog description

This course explores both spoken (e.g. job interviews, business meetings) and written (e.g., application letters, progress reports, complaints, appeals) professional genres. The course will focus on both the particular resources that are needed for conveying particular messages, and the influence of social and contextual factors on our linguistic choices. To this end, students will (1) analyze and critique written and spoken professional texts, and (2) produce and present spoken and written professional texts. Moreover, the course is taught in a seminar, discussion-based format and students will construct projects to explore course topics in a hands-on manner. The course is mainly conducted in Arabic, but multilingual and multidialectal practices are welcome as they increase participation, and maximize knowledge construction.