Arabic Studies
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Department Information
Arabic Studies
Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Director of Arabic Language Program Sulzer-Reichel
This section contains information specific to courses taught in Arabic. Other courses relevant to the Arabic Studies major/minor are listed under Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (LLC). For full information regarding departmental policies relevant to all LLC programs, study abroad, and course sequencing, see the main page of the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures.
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Major
The Arabic Studies Major
Note: The grade point average of the coursework comprising the major must be no less than 2.00 with no course grade below C- (1.70).
Nine courses, including:
Arabic Comprehension
Advanced Arabic I
Advanced Arabic II
Four courses chosen from the following at least one of which must be a 400-level course:/ (The two half credit courses count as one) Advanced Arabic Conversation
Arabic in Media
Introduction to Arabic in Literature
Insiders and Outsiders: Arabic Encounters with the West
Two courses, chosen in addition from those above or the following:Sex and Gender in the Middle East
Grammar Through Texts
Selected Topics
Archaeology of the Middle East
The Great War in the Middle East
The Modern Middle East
The Ottoman Empire
Contending Visions of the Middle East
International Relations of the Middle East
Introduction to Islam
Sex and Family in the Greek and Roman Worlds
Religion and the Arts
Religion and Literature
Ninety-nine Names of God
Saints and Sinners in Muslim Literature
Sufism: Introduction to Islamic Mysticism
Or any other relevant course with the approval of the Arabic Studies faculty.
Students MUST complete an approved study abroad experience as part of the Arabic Studies major. The study abroad experience can be fulfilled through a semester or a summer study abroad program associated with the University of Richmond, or other summer or semester programs in universities or institutions in the Arab World approved by the Arabic Studies faculty.
Students MUST take one 400-level course in Arabic at the University of Richmond after they return from abroad.
Students can transfer up to three courses to fulfill their Arabic Studies major requirements.
It is advisable that students sign up for a C-LAC section with the courses that are not taught in Arabic.
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Minor
The Arabic Studies Minor
Five units, including:
Arabic Comprehension
Advanced Arabic
Advanced Arabic II
Selected Topics
One unit, chosen from:
Sex and Gender in the Middle East
Arabic in the Media
Introduction to Arabic in Literature
Independent Study in Arabic Studies
The Great War in the Middle East
The Modern Middle East
The Ottoman Empire
Contending Visions of the Middle East
Insiders and Outsiders: Arabic Encounters with the West
International Relations of the Middle East
Introduction to Islam
Sex and Family in the Greek and Roman Worlds
Religion and the Arts
Religion and Literature
Ninety-nine Names of God
Saints and Sinners in Muslim Literature
Sufism: Introduction to Islamic Mysticism
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Study Abroad
Study Abroad
For students of Arabic, the department offers a summer study program in Jordan. One or two Semester Study Abroad programs are available in Jordan, Morocco, Egypt and other Arabic speaking countries (contingent upon the security situation in the individual countries). For a complete list, contact the Office of International Education.
Courses
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ARAB 101 Elementary Arabic with Drill
Units: 1
DescriptionIntroduction to Modern Standard Arabic language and culture; development of skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing.
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ARAB 102 Elementary Arabic with Drill
Units: 1
DescriptionIntroduction to Modern Standard Arabic language and culture; development of skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing.
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ARAB 221 Intensive Intermediate Arabic Language with Practice
Units: 2
DescriptionIntensive intermediate Arabic. Increased emphasis on grammar and the building of vocabulary.
PrerequisitesARAB 102.
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ARAB 231 Arabic Comprehension
Units: 1
DescriptionIntermediate Arabic comprehension. Increased emphasis on understanding spoken as well as written texts as well as the ability of the students to orally express themselves.
PrerequisitesARAB 221.
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ARAB 301 Advanced Arabic
Units: 1
DescriptionDeepens and refines students' knowledge of the grammatical structures of the Arabic language with a focus on comprehension and discussion of texts taken mainly from Arabic news media. Part of the course will be devoted to building the students' familiarity with regional dialects (Egyptian or Levantine Arabic) and strengthening oral proficiency skills.
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ARAB 302 Advanced Arabic II
Units: 1
DescriptionContinues to build students' knowledge of Arabic language and culture. Course materials include readings from contemporary short stories, excerpts from novels, and poetry. As an initial introduction to Arabic literature, the course emphasizes writing and speaking in Modern Standard Arabic, thus modeling the language spoken at international conferences. In an additional session per week, students will practice their debating skills in Arabic in the form of a mini colloquium.
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ARAB 303 Advanced Arabic Conversation
Units: .5
DescriptionIntensive training to develop practical communicative skills and accelerate oral proficiency.
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ARAB 304 Advanced Arabic Conversation
Units: .5
DescriptionIntensive training to develop practical communicative skills and accelerate oral proficiency.
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ARAB 315 Grammar Through Texts
Units: 1
DescriptionProvides a critical look at the contemporary Arab World and the different aspects of modern Arab culture using authentic Arabic language materials in Modern Standard Arabic. Readings vary by semester. Course material designed to move students from mid to high intermediate. Primary focus is the better understanding of complex sentence structures and the rapid expansion of functional vocabulary.
PrerequisitesARAB 302
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ARAB 389 Practice Assistantship
Units: 1
DescriptionStudents lead practice sessions associated with the elementary and intermediate language sequence in Arabic. The practice assistantship does not count as credit toward the major or minor. Up to one unit can be applied toward graduation credit.
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ARAB 397 Selected Topics
Units: 1
DescriptionSelected topics related to Arabic language, literature, and culture, to be offered at the discretion of the department.
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ARAB 401 Arabic in the Media
Units: 1
DescriptionReviews the basic structures, grammar, and the first 1000 most frequent words of Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) learned in earlier courses. Introduces the next 750 high-frequency words in a variety of contexts with strong cultural content. Drills in the more advanced grammatical structures of MSA. Develops reading skills assisting with comprehending a variety of MSA authentic media texts of various genres and performing reading tasks ranging from Intermediate to Intermediate High on the ACTFL scale.
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ARAB 402 Introduction to Arabic in Literature
Units: 1
DescriptionConducts a quick review of the basic structures, grammar, and the first 1750 most frequent words of Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) learned in earlier courses. Introduces the next 750 high frequency words in a variety of contexts with strong cultural content. Drills in the more advanced grammatical structures of MSA. Develops reading skills that will assist in comprehending a variety of MSA authentic literary texts of various genres and performing reading tasks ranging from Intermediate Mid to Advanced Low on the ACTFL scale.
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ARAB 406 Summer Undergraduate Research
Units: 0
DescriptionDocumentation of the work of students who receive summer fellowships to conduct research [or produce a creative arts project] in the summer. The work must take place over a minimum of 8 weeks, the student must engage in the project full-time (at least 40 hours per week) during this period, and the student must be the recipient of a fellowship through the university. Graded S/U.
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ARAB 495 Independent Study in Arabic Studies
Units: 0.5-1
DescriptionSpecial projects individually pursued under supervision of faculty member.