Preparation                                                                                                                             20%

On most days preparation will consist of watching instructional videos or reading Arabic texts and then working your way through a series of questions on them or activities that were carefully designed to help you acquire the vocabulary and grammatical structures in focus. Each unit also includes a cultural exploration section that asks you to consider the perspectives of a variety of Cultural Collaborators on a thematically driven topic and then conduct guided, Internet-based research on that topic to be shared with your classmates. Advancing your cultural awareness and linguistic ability, in ARAB 2001 you will also employ the knowledge acquired to resolve the cultural conflict presented in each unit. After each series of activities you will complete a culminating activity in class that will allow you to demonstrate what you have learned and reveal gaps in your understanding to ask about in class. Please be aware that your preparation for the cultural activities and the culminating activities will be crucial for all class work with your classmates. 

Conversations                                                                                                                        10%

After completing the preparation assignments, you will engage in a series of conversational prompts or learning games in class where you apply the information learned through the preparation activities. 

Quizzes                                                                                                                                   15%

You will take a minimum of three quizzes designed to assess your understanding of key concepts covered in class. These quizzes will test your vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension skills, ensuring you stay on track with the course material. They provide an opportunity to review what you’ve learned, identify areas for improvement, and strengthen your grasp of Arabic.

Movie Reviews                                                                                                                        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. 

Arab Cultural Event                                                                                                               5%

You will attend one Arab cultural event this semester, either offered at GT, or in the larger Atlanta community (such as visiting a music event, film fest, poetry reading, etc.). You will write a concise description of your experience and the event 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. 

Midterm and Final Projects                                                                                                   20%  

For the midterm project, you will select a children’s book in Arabic to read (the professor will offer you a choice of books or you can select your own). You will then collaborate with a partner to create a short film reenacting the story using simplified vocabulary. This project encourages you to enhance their reading, comprehension, and creative storytelling skills while practicing spoken Arabic in an engaging and accessible way. For your final project, you will work in pairs to perform a 10-minute unscripted conversation based on a prompt provided in advance. This activity allows you to demonstrate your ability to engage in spontaneous dialogue, apply vocabulary and grammar learned in class, and communicate effectively in Arabic. The project emphasizes fluency, creativity, and the practical use of language in real-world scenarios. Each project is worth 10% of your final grade.

Oral Interviews                                                                                                                       20%

Twice during the semester, you will join other students to engage in a conversation in class in which your listening and speaking skills, as well as your developing understanding of the course content, will be evaluated. This assessment will be an instructor graded Oral Examination, each worth 10% of your final grade. On the day of the interview, as part of it, you must submit a portfolio that includes a reflective paragraph analyzing your progress in the course. This reflection will encourage you to assess your learning journey, identify areas of growth, and recognize challenges you’ve overcome.