Introduction to Arabic Morphology and Syntax

Textbook:      

Al-Kitaab fi ta`allum al-`arabiyya by Brustad et al.

Dictionary (recommended, but not required):          

A Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic (Wehr), edited by J M. Cowan

In this course students will continue their foray into the world of two modes of Arabic:  the “Standard” language based on the Classical Arabic of the Qur’an, and a spoken version “colloquial” from the educated classes of Egypt.

No one can be said to “know” Arabic unless both types, “standard” and “colloquial”, have been mastered.  This semester continues the lengthy process of doing just that.

Your work will be weighted as follows for your final grade:

• Homework assignments 20%
• Vocabulary quizzes 20%
• Two mid-term exams 10% each
• Attendance and class participation 20%
• Final Exam 20%

Attendance Policy:  We meet only twice per week for just an hour and a half each session.  Missing the equivalent of six 90-minute sessions will automatically result in a failure to pass.  Please be in touch with the Professor in order to make up any missed work if you know in advance that you will not be able to attend a particular session.

The following class schedule is subject to revision with the understanding that no new assignments will be added to what is reflected here.

Dates                           Lesson

1/23                             Review of Lesson 2

1/28 & 1/30                 Lesson 3

2/4 & 2/6                     Lesson 4

2/11 & 2/13                 Lesson 5

2/20                             Mid-term Exam on Lessons 3 – 5

2/25 & 2/27                 Lesson 6

3/4 & 3/6                     Lesson 7         

3/11 & 3/13                 Lesson 8

3/18 & 3/20                 Lesson 9

3/25                             Mid-term Exam on Lessons 6 – 9

4/1 & 4/3                     Lesson 10

4/8 & 4/10                   Lesson 11

4/15 & 4/17                 Lesson 12

4/22 & 4/24                 Lesson 13

4/29 & 5/1                   Lesson 14

5/6 & 5/8                     Lesson 15

5/13                             Final Exam

When learning a language, it is (infinitely?) better to work a little each day than to cram on weekends or over large chunks of time.  In other words, an hour each day of review and preparation during the week is to be preferred over spending the entirety of a Saturday or Sunday trying to catch-up.

Also, in learning a language, it is better to use your out-of-class time to work on material that has already been presented in class, rather than to “work ahead”.  Working ahead risks internalizing faulty linguistic input:  This is NOT a “teach yourself” course!

“I’m not here to hand out bad grades” is one of my mottos.  Every effort will be made to keep you all up to speed, that being one of the luxuries of having a small class.

Most importantly:  HAVE FUN!  Even though Arabic is NOT an easy language, it CAN be enjoyable.  I’ll try to make it that way; if you work, there is that much more chance of making it that way for yourself