Elementary Modern Standard Arabic II

Catalog description

Continuation of ARAB 1 ; development of additional skills in conversation, reading, and writing; grammar and vocabulary building; cultural components. ARAB 2 Elementary Modern Standard Arabic II (4) (BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.This language and culture course, which counts towards the language requirement for B.A. (and some other) degrees, presents the second semester of the study of the Modern Standard Arabic language and an exploration of several aspects of Arab cultures. ARAB 2 is the continuation of ARAB 1 , an elementary course designed to introduce learners of Arabic as a second/foreign language to the basic structures of Arabic and to its uses in common situations of everyday communication. ARAB 2 begins with a review of the basics learned in ARAB 1 , and, as in some sections of ARAB 1 , the course may follow the story of an Arab American family. ARAB 2 expands on vocabulary, goes into more complex grammar structures, and further introduces Arab culture. The "multiplicity" of the Arabic language and the coexistence of spoken (colloquial) and written standard forms of Arabic continue to be addressed in order to prepare the student for the complex reality of the language. This course underscores all four communication skills (reading, speaking, listening and writing) and uses audio and video material to take the learner to native speakers in their natural environment; introducing invaluable listening segments and various cultural aspects of the Arab world. The course may also have recourse to popular media such as films, comics, newspaper headlines, websites, music, and songs. Students are reminded through their oral presentations that Arabic is spoken as an official language in 22 countries with diverse and rich historical, political, economical, religious, artistic, and literary venues, and Arabic is also used in many additional parts of the world. Class activities and projects are designed to enable students to become active, creative participants, and transmitters of new knowledge to their peers. The course is designed for students who have completed Arabic 001 in Penn State's language sequence or have the equivalent level of language proficiency. In turn, this course serves as a prerequisite for AARAB 3. Placement within the Arabic language sequence follows the University's foreign language placement policy; for example, students whose native language is Arabic are not eligible to receive credit in this course.