Arabic (Modern Standard) Courses

Description:

This course provides an intensive introduction to the basic elements of Modern Standard Arabic for the student with no knowledge of the language. Instruction addresses all the language competencies of Modern Standard Arabic.

Component(s): Lecture

• Students who have received credit for MARA 203 or MARA 205 or MARA 207 or heritage speakers or students with knowledge of the Arabic script may not take this course for credit.

Description: This course provides an introduction to the basic elements of Modern Standard Arabic for students with basic or limited knowledge of the language. It is designed for heritage speakers with no reading and writing skills in Modern Standard Arabic but with knowledge of dialect vocabulary and oral skills. The course is also for non‑heritage students who know the Arabic script but have never studied the Arabic language.

Component(s): Lecture

• Heritage speakers placed into this course can continue with MARA 207 while non-heritage speakers can continue with MARA 206 upon successful completion of this course.

• Students who have received credit for this topic under a MARA 298 number may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following course must be completed previously: MARA 200 or MARA 203 or equivalent.

Description: This course continues the introduction to the basic elements of Modern Standard Arabic. Students practise conversation skills on basic general topics.

Component(s): Lecture

• Students who have received credit for MARA 207 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following course must be completed previously: MARA 203. If prerequisites are not satisfied, permission of the Department is required.

Description: This course continues the introduction to the basic elements of Modern Standard Arabic. Students practise conversation skills through basic general topics. This course is designed for Arabic heritage speakers who have completed MARA 203 and/or learners who have basic introductory Arabic competence.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following course must be completed previously: MARA 206 or MARA 207 or equivalent.

Description: This course provides a review of the basic elements of Modern Standard Arabic and continues to develop the four language skills within their cultural context. Students prepare brief essays and oral presentations.

Component(s): Lecture

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following course must be completed previously: MARA 240 or equivalent.

Description: This course is a continuation of MARA 240. It prepares intermediate language students in diverse aspects of reading, writing, and conversation. In addition to improving listening comprehension and speaking skills, this course places increased emphasis on reading and writing.

Component(s): Lecture

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following course must be completed previously: MARA 250 or equivalent.

Description: This course builds upon the student’s foundation in the Arabic language. Students learn new grammatical structures and expand their vocabulary, while reviewing the grammatical structures acquired previously. Instruction builds particularly on the student’s ability to respond to the works studied with advanced writing and oral strategies.

Component(s): Lecture

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following course must be completed previously or concurrently: MARA 250.

Description: This course is designed to give intermediate and advanced students a solid foundation in business vocabulary, correspondence, and basic business practices, as well as the cultural concepts necessary to enable them to express themselves in the Arabic‑speaking business world.

Component(s): Lecture

• Students who have received credit for this topic under a MARA 398 number may not take this course for credit.

Description: This course provides an introduction to the works of some of the major writers of contemporary Arabic culture. The course is taught in English and readings are in English translation.

Component(s): Lecture

Description: This course examines key developments in Arabic fiction related to the contemporary Arabic‑speaking world with the aim of highlighting the distinctive texture of its experiences and identities. The chosen texts cover a wide range of topics and convey the complex and rich cultural diversity of the Arab World. The course is taught in English and knowledge of Arabic is not required.

Description: This course provides an overview of the cultural history of the Arab world with an emphasis on the “Golden Age” (eighth to 13th century). Special attention is given to some topics at the core of this period, namely the intellectual dynamics, sciences and arts. The Arab civilization is put into the political, social and religious contexts that allowed it to emerge and flourish. This course is taught in English and no prior knowledge of Arabic is required.

Component(s): Lecture

• Students who have received credit for MARA 365 under a different title may not take this course for credit.

Description: This course presents a comprehensive survey of modern Arab culture, from the “Nahda” or “Revival” of the late‑19th and early‑20th to the 21st century. It discusses issues necessary to understand the modern Arab world including media and cinema, art, architecture, folklore, and food. The roles played by various minorities and the Arab youth are also studied. This course is taught in English and no knowledge of Arabic is required.

Component(s): Lecture

Description: Specific topics for this course, and prerequisites relevant in each case, are stated in the Undergraduate Class Schedule.

Description:

This course presents a detailed analysis of a selection of works of modern fiction, non-fiction, and poetry by female Arab writers. It explores modern Arabic women’s writing in relation to Arabic literary criticism and feminist theory. The majority of the course is devoted to analyzing texts originally written in Arabic but significant works by Arab women written in French and English are also discussed. This course is taught in English and no prior knowledge of Arabic is required. Advanced-level students — i.e. students placed at the 250 level or higher in Arabic language courses — must do the readings and/or submit their work in Arabic.

Component(s): Lecture

• Students who have received credit for this topic under an ENGL 398 or MARA 398 number may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

Permission of the Department is required.

Description: This course provides students with the opportunity to study a topic of individual interest under the guidance of a faculty member.

Component(s): Tutorial