Prospectus

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Arabic 3 (Upper-)Intermediate

Course
2013-2014

Admission requirements

This course is only available for students in the BA International Studies.
Prerequisites: Arabic 1 and 2

Description

This is an intermediate MSA (Modern Standard Arabic) course. MSA is the common language of the 22 Arabic countries, and is widely spread in the inter-Arab media. Building on the basics students have acquired at the beginners and elementary level, this course enables them to reach an intermediate proficiency. It also provides students with the cultural background they need for their stay in one of the many countries of the region during their 4th semester. Major similarities and differences between MSA and the colloquial Arabic of the country chosen for the stay will be touched upon.

Course objectives

  • Improving the listening skills to provide a basic access to Arabic audio-visual media – Low-intermediate command of conversational Arabic – Ability to understand relevant information in newspapers and simple texts without the help of the Dictionary – Write short essays on common topics – Familiarity with different aspects of Arabic culture and history
    The course aims at the A2/B1 level of the Common European Framework (CEFR).

Timetable

The timetable will be available on the BA International Studies website this autumn.

Mode of instruction

Seminar (Language course)

Attending lectures and tutorials is compulsory. If you are not able to attend a lecture or tutorial, please inform the tutor of the course. Being absent without notification can result in a lower grade or exclusion from the final exam or essay.

Assessment method

In-class oral assignment 10%
In-class dictation test 10 %
Written exam 20 %
Final listening/oral exam 30 %
Final written 30 %

Blackboard

Blackboard will be used. Extra learning material will regularly made available on Blackboard.
Extra-curricular activities (film screenings, interesting debates to attend) will also be announced on Blackboard.

Students are requested to register on Blackboard for this course.

Reading list

1) Compulsory Literature
Kristen Brustad, Mahmoud Al-Batal, Abbas Al-Tonsi, Al-Kitaab fii Ta’allum al-‘Arabiyya: A Textbook for Beginning Arabic, Part Two, Second Edition, 2006, Georgetown University Press.

2) Recommended Literature
Tim Buckwalter, Dilworth Parkinson, A Frequency Dictionary of Arabic, Core Vocabulary for Learners, 2011, Routledge.

Registration

Students are requested to register through uSis, the registration system of Leiden University for this course. General information about uSis is available in English and Dutch.

Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs

Not applicable.

Remarks

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