ARA 104 Arabic Advanced 2
This course is designed for students who have successfully completed ARA 103 Arabic for Advanced Learners (Level 3) and are ready to move toward fluency and academic proficiency. In this course, students will deepen their understanding of Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) while being introduced to the style and vocabulary of Classical Arabic used in religious, legal, and literary texts. Students will learn to use advanced grammatical structures—including the passive voice, dual forms, and rhetorical devices—and apply these skills through discussion, writing, and presentation. They will explore various authentic Arabic texts, including Qur’anic passages, tafsīr (exegesis), fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), and contemporary media sources, developing their ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex content. Throughout the semester, students will engage in meaningful discussions on theological, philosophical, and societal topics, practicing structured debate and high-level academic argumentation in Arabic. They will also improve their formal writing skills by composing essays, reports, and letters, and gain confidence in public speaking through structured presentations. By the end of the course, students will be able to confidently navigate modern and classical Arabic texts, conduct basic academic research using Arabic sources, and communicate effectively in various professional, religious, and scholarly settings. The course concludes with a capstone project that integrates all skills learned, allowing students to present a research topic of their choice in Arabic.
Learning Outcomes
Construct and comprehend complex Arabic sentence structures, including conditional, comparative, and passive voice constructions, demonstrating the ability to communicate effectively in spoken and written forms.
Apply advanced verb conjugations, including the subjunctive and jussive moods, while incorporating appropriate grammatical structures in academic, professional, and social contexts.
Expand vocabulary to include specialized terms relevant to social, religious, and professional settings, enabling precise expression of ideas and engagement with complex discussions.
Engage confidently in extended dialogues and discussions on diverse topics, such as Islamic history, ethics, and current events, while demonstrating cultural awareness and sensitivity.
Read and analyze intermediate-level Arabic texts, including short stories, news articles, Prophetic Hadith, and Qur’anic verses, emphasizing critical thinking and contextual understanding.
Express opinions and arguments effectively through structured essays and oral presentations, demonstrating clarity, coherence, and academic integrity.
Differentiate between various Arabic dialects and their relationship to Modern Standard Arabic, understanding the historical, cultural, and geographical factors influencing linguistic variations.
Compare and contrast Islamic traditions and values across different cultures, reflecting on how language shapes and conveys religious, ethical, and cultural understandings.
Demonstrate proficiency in accurately conveying meaning in Arabic in academic, professional, and social contexts.
Plan and conduct independent research projects, utilizing Arabic-language sources and demonstrating critical engagement with Islamic scholarship.
Evaluate personal linguistic progress and identify areas for further development, applying effective strategies for lifelong learning and adaptation to changing academic and professional environments.