35 courses with the subject ARAB, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
ARAB 0100Elementary Arabic I
This is the beginners course in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). It will introduce you to the speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in the standard means of communication in the Arab World. The course is proficiency-based, implying that all activities within the course are aimed at placing you, the learner, in the context of the native-speaking environment from the very beginning. Evaluation is done by the more traditional testing methods (vocabulary tests, dictations, grammar and translation exercises). We anticipate that by the end of this course, students will range in proficiency from Novice High to Intermediate Low on the ACTFL scale; in other words (using the terminology of the government's Foreign Service Institute), from 'incipient survival' to 'full' survival' in the native-speaking environment.
This is a beginner course in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). It will introduce you to the speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in the standard means of communication in the Arab world. The course is proficiency-based, implying that all activities are aimed at placing you, the learner, in the context of the native-speaking environment from the very beginning. Evaluation is done by the more traditional testing methods (vocabulary tests, dictations, grammar and translation exercises). We anticipate that by the end of this course, students will range in proficiency from Novice High to Intermediate Low on the ACTFL scale; in other words (using the terminology of the government's Foreign Service Institute), from 'incipient survival' to 'full' survival' in the native-speakin environment.
This course is a continuation of first semester Elementary Arabic, and builds on the speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in the standard means of communication in the Arab World. Evaluation is done by the more traditional testing methods (vocabulary tests, dictations, grammar and translation exercises). We anticipate that by the end of this course, students will range in proficiency from Novice High to Intermediate Low on the ACTFL scale.
A continuation of Beginning Arabic I, this is a beginner course in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). It will introduce you to the speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in the standard means of communication in the Arab world. The course is proficiency-based, implying that all activities are aimed at placing you, the learner, in the context of the native-speaking environment from the very beginning. Evaluation is done by the more traditional testing methods (vocabulary tests, dictations, grammar and translation exercises). We anticipate that by the end of this course, students will range in proficiency from Novice High to Intermediate Low on the ACTFL scale; in other words (using the terminology of the government's Foreign Service Institute), from 'incipient survival' to 'full' survival' in the native-speaking environment. This class does not count for the College language requirement.
This is a six-week intensive beginners' course in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). It will introduce the student to speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in the standard means of communication in the Arabic world. The course is proficiency-based, implying that all activities are aimed at placing the student in the context of the native-speaking environment from the very beginning. Evaluation is done by the more traditional testing methods (vocabulary tests, dictations, grammar and translation exercises). We anticipate that by the end of this course, students will range in proficiency from Novice High to Intermediate Low on the ACTFL scale; in ot the terminology of the government's Foreign Service Institute) survival' to 'full survival' in the native-speaking environment.
This is the continuation of the Elementary course in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). This course is also proficiency-based, implying that all activities within the course are aimed at placing you, the learner, in the context of the native-speaking environment. Evaluation is done by the more traditional testing methods (vocabulary tests, grammar and translation exercises). We anticipate that students range from Intermediate Low to Intermediate High according to the ACTFL scale.
This is the continuation of Beginning Arabic II. It is also proficiency- based, implying that all activities within the course are aimed at placing you, the learner, in the context of the native-speaking environment from the very beginning. Evaluation is done by the more traditional testing methods (vocabulary tests, grammar and translation exercises). However, it should be emphasized that you will need a longer period of study to achieve proficiency in Arabic. We anticipate that students range from Intermediate Low to Intermediate High according to the ACTFL scale.
This is the continuation of the first semester Intermediate Arabic. This course is also proficiency-based, implying that all activities within the course are aimed at placing you, the learner, in the context of the native- speaking environment. Evaluation is done by the more traditional testing methods (vocabulary tests, grammar and translation exercises). We anticipate that students will achieve Intermediate High according to the ACTFL scale.
This is the continuation of Continuing Arabic III. It is also proficiency- based, implying that all activities within the course are aimed at placing you, the learner, in the context of the native-speaking environment from the very beginning. Evaluation is done by the more traditional testing methods (vocabulary tests, grammar and translation exercises). Completion of this course fulfills the language requirement in the College of Liberal and Professional Studies. However, it should be emphasized that you will need a longer period of study to achieve proficiency in Arabic. We anticipate that students range from Intermediate Low to Intermediate High according to the ACTFL scale.
This is a six-week intensive course offered in the summer through LPS; see the Penn Summer Course Guide. This is the continuation of Elementary Arabic II or Intensive Elementary Arabic I & II. This course is also proficiency-based, implying that all activities within the course are aimed at placing the student in the context of the native-speaking environment from the very beginning. As in ARAB 0100 - ARAB 0200 or ARAB 0250, evaluation is done by the more traditional testing methods (vocabulary tests, grammar and translation exercises). Completion of this course fulfills the College of Arts and Sciences language requirement in Arabic. However, it should be emphasized that the student will need a longer period of study to achieve proficiency in Arabic. We anticipate that students range from Intermediate Low to Intermediate High according to the ACTFL scale.
This is a proficiency-based course which builds on the lessons from Intermediate Arabic. Emphasis continues to be on all four language skills: Speaking, Listening, Reading, & Writing. The readings for the class are chosen from actual texts from both medieval and modern Arabic in a variety of fields and subjects. Students will be expected to give classroom presentations and to write short essays in Arabic. Evaluation will be both Achievement- and proficiency- based.
This course is a continuation of first semester Advanced Intermediate Arabic. Emphasis continues to be on all four language skills: Speaking, Listening, Reading, & Writing. The readings for the class are chosen from actual texts from both medieval and modern Arabic in a variety of fields and subjects. Students will be expected to give classroom presentations and to write short essays in Arabic. Evaluation will be both Achievement- and proficiency- based.
ARAB 0650Intensive Advanced Intermediate Arabic I&II
This is a six-week intensive course offered in the summer through LPS; see Penn Summer Course Guide. It continues from the first intermediate course, and emphasis continues to be on all four language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students will be expected to give classroom presentations and to write short essays in Arabic. Evaluation will be both achievement-based and proficiency-based. There is no Oral Proficiency Interview at the end of this session, but we anticipate that by the end of this, third year students will range in proficiency from Intermediate High to Advanced Mid on the ACTFL scale.
The course will concentrate on the reading and speaking skills at the advanced level. Students will be assigned reading and audio-visual materials on which to prepare oral classroom presentations. Final examination in the course will be based on performance in the oral proficiency interview.
This course has two goals: to introduce undergraduate students to reading the Qur'an in Arabic, and to enhance the speaking, listening, and writing skills in MSA. Through the reading and study of selected major Qur'anic narratives and commentary (tafsir), students will become familiar with Qur'anic vocabulary, style, recitation practices, and other intricacies of the Qur'anic text. All students will also memorize a short sura of their choice and practice reciting it in an aesthetically appropriate manner (typically suras 1, 112, 113, or 114). Taught in MSA with writing assignments in MSA. Spring, even numbered years only 1 Course Unit
Through engaging with authentic texts, this advanced class aims to activate the language skills students have learned in previous language courses. We will read selections from Arabic poetry and prose and will respond to them in writing, discussion and translation. We will focus on close reading, relying on our knowledge of grammar. We will also work to develop writing, comprehension, and speaking skills through short critical responses and oral presentations. All class discussions will be conducted in Arabic.
This course aims to provide incoming graduate students and advanced undergraduate students with an introduction to issues in Arabic grammar and syntax that commonly arise in pre-modern Arabic texts. Students will also be introduced to, and expected to consult, the standard reference works used as aids in reading such texts. Students will be expected to prepare a text or set of texts assigned by the instructor for each session. It is intended that, upon completion of this course, students will be able to work independently with a wide variety of pre-modern Arabic texts. Although the texts in this course are pre-modern, the course reinforces MSA reading skills. Fall, even numbered years only 1 Course Unit
Arabic language is used by many societies not only in communication but also in correspondence and in documenting the affairs of their daily lives. Arabic script is adopted by many groups who native languages are not Arabic, in writing their language before some moved to the Roman alphabet. In many historical documents specific style of writing and handwriting are dominant. This specificity is influenced by the dialectical variations, the historical development of each region and the level of Arabic literacy and use. Not Offered Every Year 1 Course Unit
The course will concentrate on the reading and speaking skills at the advanced level. Students will be assigned reading and audio-visual materials on which to prepare oral classroom presentations. Final examination in the course will be based on performance in the oral proficiency interview. Taught in MSA with writing assignments in MSA.
This advanced readings course provides students with the opportunity to study Arabic-language Islamic legal texts from all periods, including the Qur’an, Hadith, premodern and Ottoman-period texts, and modern positive legislation and constitutions to the extent that they are related t or invoke Islamic law. Not Offered Every Year 1 Course Unit University of Pennsylvania Catalog 1095
This is the beginners course in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). It will introduce you to the speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in the standard means of communication in the Arab World. The course is proficiency-based, implying that all activities within the course are aimed at placing you, the learner, in the context of the native-speaking environment from the very beginning. Evaluation is done by the more traditional testing methods (vocabulary tests, dictations, grammar and translation exercises). We anticipate that by the end of this course, students will range in proficiency from Novice High to Intermediate Low on the ACTFL scale; in other words (using the terminology of the government's Foreign Service Institute), from 'incipient survival' to 'full' survival' in the native-speaking environment. Two Term Class, Student must enter first term; credit given after both terms are complete Mutually Exclusive: ARAB 0100 1 Course Unit
This course is a continuation of ARAB 0100/ARAB 6100. For the second semester: completion of the first semester or permission of the instructor. Two Term Class, Student must enter first term; credit given after both terms are complete Mutually Exclusive: ARAB 0200 1 Course Unit
This is the continuation of the Elementary course at the graduate level. This course is also proficiency-based, implying that all activities within the course are aimed at placing you, the learner, in the context of the native-speaking environment from the very beginning. This is the continuation of ARAB 0100 and ARAB 0200, the elementary course in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). This course is also proficiency-based, implying that all activities within the course are aimed at placing you, the learner, in the context of the native-speaking environment from the very beginning. As in ARAB 0100 - ARAB 0200, evaluation is done by the more traditional testing methods (vocabulary tests, grammar and translation exercises). We anticipate that students range from Intermediate Low to Intermediate High according to the ACTFL scale. Two Term Class, Student must enter first term; credit given after both terms are complete Mutually Exclusive: ARAB 0300 o 1 Course Unit
This course is a continuation of Intermediate Arabic III at the graduate level. Two Term Class, Student must enter first term; credit given after both terms are complete Mutually Exclusive: ARAB 0400 1 Course Unit 2026-27 Catalog | Generated 08/03/26
This is a proficiency-based course which continues from the first intermediate course, ARAB 0300/ARAB 0400. Emphasis continues to be on all four language skills: Speaking, Listening, Reading, & Writing. The readings for the class are chosen from actual texts from both medieval and modern Arabic in a variety of fields and subjects. Students will be expected to give classroom presentations and to write short essays in Arabic. Evaluation will be both Achievement- and proficiency- based. Mutually Exclusive: ARAB 0500 1 Course Unit
This course is a continuation of Advanced Intermediate Arabic I at the graduate level. Two Term Class, Student must enter first term; credit given after both terms are complete Mutually Exclusive: ARAB 0600 1 Course Unit
A one-semester, introductory course to the spoken Arabic of one of the regions of the Arab world, chosen according to the dialect of instructor. Not Offered Every Year 1 Course Unit
Through engaging with authentic texts, this advanced class aims to activate the language skills students have learned in previous language courses. We will read selections from Arabic poetry and prose and will respond to them in writing, discussion and translation. We will focus on close reading, relying on our knowledge of grammar. We will also work to develop writing, comprehension, and speaking skills through short critical responses and oral presentations. All class discussions will be conducted in Arabic.
Advanced syntax through the reading of Arab grammarians. Development of reading in bulk. Emphasis on classical Arabic read in works by medieval and modern writers. This course is designed to give the student experience in reading whole works in Arabic and giving reports on them.
Topics vary from year to year in accordance with the interests and needs of students. Although this course typically focuses on premodern Arabic texts, the readings reinforce MSA reading skills. Not Offered Every Year 1 Course Unit 2026-27 Catalog | Generated 08/03/26
This is a graduate seminar course in which different genres of premodern Arabic texts are covered at the advanced graduate level. Students in this course are expected to be able to read and prepare (vowel, parse, and translate) passages from Arabic texts on a weekly basis and to be able to discuss them critically during the class itself. Topics are chosen to reflect student interest. Recent and potential topics include: Geographers and travel accounts; biographical dictionaries; chronicles; heresiography; poetry; memoir and sira. Although this course typically focuses on premodern Arabic texts, the readings reinforce MSA reading skills. Not Offered Every Year 1 Course Unit
This is a survey of Arabic poetry from the Pre-Islamic era until today. Readings will be selected to trace major thematic and formal developments in Arabic poetry. Readings also include excerpts from modern critical scholarship on the topic in Arabic. The class aims to introduce students to the basics of academic research and writing in Arabic. The class is taught in MSA with oral presentations and writing assignments in MSA. Not Offered Every Year 1 Course Unit
