Department of Modern Languages & Literatures, Faculty of Arts & Humanities
Arabic 2250 -Intermediate Arabic
Course Outline - Fall/Winter, 2008/2009
Course Aims
This course aims to build upon linguistic skills developed in earlier courses. Students will gain increased vocabulary and a greater understanding of more complex grammatical structures. They will do intensive reading of expository writings on a variety of cultural topics, enabling them to approach prose, fiction, and non-fiction written in Arabic. Students will also widen their understanding of different Arabic verb types, learn key grammatical points, and practice conversation and dictation.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to engage in advanced conversations involving themselves and their immediate surroundings; possess an active reading vocabulary making them comprehend a verity of Arabic genres; organize and express ideas and thoughts in paragraph form, and demonstrate a good control of Arabic grammar, The student will also become aware of major features of the culture of Arab World along with its history and geography.
Prerequisites: Arabic 1030, Grade 12U Arabic,
or permission of the Department.
Antirequistes: Former Arabic 250
Text and Materials
Peter Abbud & et al, Elementary Modern Standard Arabic I. Cambridge University
Press
Supplementary materials and exercises provided by the instructor
Students must bring their Textbook to every class
Class Schedule
Monday: 2:30 - 4:30 pm - UC 114
Wednesday: 2:30 - 4:30 pm - UC 114
Student Evaluation
The following is the distribution of marks:
Tests 30%
Assignments 10%
Dictation 05%
Research papers & presentations 10%
Participation & attendance 10%
Final exam 35%
Attendance and Participation
Attendance is mandatory. There will be sign-up sheets for each class to record
attendance.
Students are expected to participate in classroom discussions; students' participation
is taken into consideration. Student is responsible for any material she or
he missed, and handing in assignment on time. Please turn off cellular phones,
ipod, and other electronic gadgets before coming to class.
Research papers
There will be two research papers, one in each term. The aim of the research papers is twofold: Building knowledge of the Arab world and its culture, and at the same time enhancing your appreciation of Arabic literature and strengthening your language skills. You may use the internet to search for sites relating to culture, education, literature, and other Arabic resources that may improve your learning of Arabic and recognize its heritage. Many search engines, such as Google, accept Arabic search keywords. There will be presentations starting in October.
Research topics
Paper 1: Make a geographical survey of the countries of the Arab world. Select
one country and elaborate on its history, borders, population, culture, traditions,
etc.
Paper 2: Choose one of the Arab figures in the field of literature. Write a
biography of the person you have chosen. Select a passage from the various genres
s/he excels at and write a critique about it.
More details about each research paper will be announced and discussed in class.
Tests, Assignments, and Dictation
There will be three tests, three dictations, and three assignments each term.
Students must read the course outline to know the date of every one. There will
be NO second chance if you miss any one of them. However, if there is a compelling
reason why you are unable to finish the assignment, write the dictation, or
take the test, please speak to the instructor in advance.
Lecture Topics (tentative)
September
08 Introduction to the Course
10 Grammar Review
15 Previous lessons review
17 Lesson VIII
22 Lesson VIII (Cont.)
24 Lesson IX
29 Lesson IX (Cont.) Dictation #1
October
01 Lesson X Assignment #1 due
06 Lesson X (Cont.) Presentations begin
08 Lesson XI
13 THANKSGIVING
15 Lesson XI (Cont.)
20 Lesson XII TEST #1
22 Lesson XII (Cont.) Dictation #2
27 Lesson VIIII
29 Lesson VIIII (Cont.) Assignment #2 due
November
03 Lesson XIV
05 Lesson XIV (Cont.)
10 Lesson XV TEST #2
12 Lesson XV (Cont.)
17 Lesson XVI Dictation #3
19 Lesson XVI (Cont.)
24 Lesson XVII Assignment #3 due
26 Lesson XVII (Cont.)
December
01 Lesson XVIII Video Show
03 Lesson XVIII (Cont.) TEST #3
January
05 Lesson XIX
07 Lesson XIX (Cont.)
12 Lesson XX
14 Lesson XX (Cont.) Dictation #4
19 Lesson XXI
21 Lesson XXI (Cont.) Assignment #4 due
26 Lesson XXII
28 Lesson XXII (Cont.) TEST #4
February
02 Lesson XXIII
04 Lesson XXIII (Cont.) Dictation #5
09 Lesson XXIV
11 Lesson XXIV (Cont.)
16 CONFERENCE WEEK
18 CONFERENCE WEEK
23 Lesson XXV Assignment #5 due
25 Lesson XXV (Cont.)
March
02 Lesson XXVI
04 Lesson XXVI (Cont.) TEST #5
09 Lesson XXVII
11 Lesson XXVII (Cont.) Dictation #6
16 Lesson XXVIII
18 Lesson XXVIII (Cont.)
23 Lesson XXIX Assignment #6 due
25 Lesson XXIX (Cont.)
30 Lesson XXX Video Show
April
01 Lesson XXX (Cont.) TEST #6
06 Review for the final
08 Review for the final
Policies and Procedures
1. Plagiarism: Plagiarism
is a major academic offense (see Scholastic Offense Policy in the Western Academic
Calendar). Plagiarism is the inclusion of someone else's verbatim or
paraphrased text in one's own written work without immediate reference.
Verbatim text must be surrounded by quotation marks or indented if it is longer
than four lines. A reference must follow right after borrowed material (usually
the author's name and page number). Without immediate reference to borrowed
material, a list of sources at the end of a written assignment does not protect
a writer against the possible charge of plagiarism. The University of Western
Ontario uses a plagiarism-checking site called Turnitin.com.
2. Prerequisites: "Students are responsible
for ensuring that their selection of courses is appropriate and accurately recorded
and that all course prerequisites have been successfully completed, and that
they are aware of any antirequisite course(s) that they have taken. If the student
does not have the requisites for a course, the University reserves the right
to remove the student from the course and to delete it from the student's record.
This decision may not be appealed. A student will receive no adjustment to his
or her fees in the event that he or she is dropped from a course for failing
to have the necessary prerequisite
3. Absenteeism
Students seeking academic accommodation on medical grounds
for any missed tests, exams, participation components and/or assignments must
apply to the Academic Counselling office of their home Faculty and provide documentation.
Academic accommodation cannot be granted by the instructor or department.
UWO's Policy on Accommodation for Medical Illness (https://studentservices.uwo.ca/secure/index.cfm)
Downloadable Student Medical Certificate (SMC): https://studentservices.uwo.ca
under the Medical Documentation heading