ARBC 1001 – Elementary Arabic I offers an introduction to listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Arabic and to the culture of Arabic-speaking regions.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Use Arabic to communicate both orally and in writing to create a shared community experience.
- Employ strategies to comprehend texts and arts produced by and for Arabic speakers, including analyses of literature, film, visual arts, performing arts, etc.
- Employ strategies to express ideas orally and in writing related to familiar topics in presentational contexts.
- Employ strategies to express ideas in interpersonal contexts in culturally appropriate ways, including identifying and signaling comprehension breakdown, asking and answering questions, and requesting information.
- Understand and communicate the basics of Arabic-speaking cultures.
- Develop intercultural competence through the study of the similarities and differences among and the relationships between language and culture systems.
- Be prepared to continue developing Arabic language skills and cultural understanding in ARBC 1002.
Participation and Engagement 20%
Learning a language requires practice and participation. More than 3 absences will result in deductions in the student’s participation grade unless otherwise discussed. Any more than 6 absences will result in a zero for the student’s participation grade. Students must email me before class notifying them of anticipated absences and arrange with a classmate to receive notes for the missed classes. Students are also encouraged to meet with me during office hours to cover missed material. Participation grades will be assessed based on the student’s attempt to engage with the material and their classmates. Language is an interactive experience; you must participate to learn. Attending class and not participating will not earn your credit.
Homework 20%
Students will be assigned assignments throughout the semester. All written assignments are expected to be handwritten unless otherwise discussed. Homework will be posted clearly in the lesson plans on Canvas. You must complete the assignment and upload it to Canvas by the deadline.
Quizzes 25%
Students will be regularly quizzed on the material. There will be a minimum of five quizzes. Content includes but is not limited to vocabulary translation, fill-in-the-blank, and identifying grammar concepts.
Movies 10%
At least twice during the semester, you will engage in a critical exploration of Arab cinema by selecting and watching an Arab film of your choice (on YouTube, Netflix, another website, or borrowed from GT library). You will write a concise review, analyzing the film’s themes, cultural context, and artistic elements in a one-page reflection. This exercise encourages you to deepen their understanding of Arab cultures and perspectives through visual storytelling while developing analytical writing skills.
Asynchronous Work 10%
You will be assigned a task to complete asynchronously every week. You will submit it on Canvas. It is graded based on completion.
Final Exam 15%
The final exam is in person. Specific dates and times are listed in the class calendar.
More than 3 absences will result in deductions in the student’s participation grade unless otherwise discussed. Any more than 6 absences will result in a zero for the student’s participation grade. Students must email me before class notifying them of anticipated absences and arrange with a classmate to receive notes for the missed classes. Students are also encouraged to meet with me during office hours to cover missed material.
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted must be original and properly cited. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in immediate consequences as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy.