Arabic 202 Course Syllabus

ASU- Tempe Campus

Course and Section: Arabic 202 82406
Sessions & Credits: Fall semester 2014, 4 credit hours after completion of course
Instructor: Neimeh Mousa
Contact Information: nmousa@asu.edu
Day, Time: M W 12:00-1:15 PM
Location: LL COWDN Rm 215
Office & Office Hours: LL 172k
This is a hybrid course, which is a combination of traditional classroom and online
instruction. It involves independent work by students performed online. These online
assignments are clearly introduced in the syllabus
Online course work will be performed on the Companion Website. Blackboard is the
official ASU course site and will be used primarily for communicating course
information and grades.
Course Materials

Al-Tonsi, A., Al-Batal, M., Brustad, K. al-Kitaab fii Taallum al-Arabiyya: A

Textbook for Arabic, Part Two, 3rd edition, Washington D.C.: Georgetown
University Press, 2011. al-Kitaab fii Taallum al-Arabiyya, presents a realistic
story of an Egyptian family; some of whose members live in Cairo, while others
live in New York. The DVDs allow students to listen to the story in MSA and
watch its video which also presents different aspects of the Arab culture. The new
(3rd) edition of the textbook series of al-Kitaab introduces students to Egyptian
and Levantine spoken Arabic varieties side by side with Modern Standard Arabic.
The focus in this course is on MSA, which is the formal/written variation of
Arabic used and understood in all Arabic-speaking countries. Colloquial
variations are certainly not less important, but learning Standard Arabic first
makes learning colloquial Arabic much easier.

Al-Kitaab companion website. A subscription to the Al-Kitaab companion website

is required. It costs $25.00. This is in addition to the cost of the textbook.

A headset/speakers and microphone are necessary to conduct required speaking

appointments. For optimal connection speeds during speaking appointments, it is
recommended that you use a hard-wired, high-speed internet connection during
your practice.

In addition to materials contained in the textbooks, there will be additional

selected handouts and websites that are designed to enhance the students ability
to read and speak the language continuously.

Optional:
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Arabic 202 Course Syllabus

ASU- Tempe Campus

A Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic by Wehr, Hans. Ed. J. Milton Cowan.

English Grammar for Students of Arabic: The Study Guide for Those Learning
Arabic, By Ernest H. McCarus.

Course Description:
This class will focus exclusively on Modern Standard Arabic. It tends to enable students
to attain an advanced level of proficiency in all Arabic language skills. Students will
refine and expand their knowledge of grammar and sentence structures. They will
continue to listen to recorded texts, reading written productions of these texts, learning
specific basic vocabulary and building up an additional vocabulary repertoire. Basic
grammatical rules related to nouns, verbs and particles will be learned, not as an end in
themselves, but as a necessary tool to understanding how the language works.
By the end of this course, students will be able to acquire the conversational skills that
will allow them to communicate clearly within a wider range of competencies and
strategies this course is providing.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
Success in learning Arabic, as with any language, depends to a large extent on continuous
study and practice.

Attendance in this class is mandatory. It is important that you attend class

regularly Attendance means to be on time in class
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. Students are allowed to
miss up to two classes without permission or penalty. Each absence after the third
will result in 1% reduction of the final grade. For example, if you get 90% for
your final grade and miss three classes, your final grade will be lowered to 89%.
Tardiness: 3 = 1 absence.
Serious health or family problems that are well documented will be handled
individually at instructors discretion.
Absence is not an acceptable excuse for coming to class unprepared or not
submitting assignments.
You are responsible for all material covered in class. If you have to miss a
class, contact one of your peers to get the missed notes and assignments.
If you have to miss a class, you MUST notify the instructor ahead of time. In
case of an emergency, inform the instructor as soon as possible.
Class participation: Class participation is mandatory. Most of the language skills
to be developed cannot be acquired without effective participation and interaction
with students and instructor.
Disruption of class will result in a loss of attendance and participation points.
Be responsible for your own behavior; this includes listening to others, staying
on task while in large or small group discussions, etc.
Late homework will NOT be accepted unless arranged with the teacher.

Arabic 202 Course Syllabus

ASU- Tempe Campus

If you have questions regarding certain problems, make every effort to take an
appointment or email me at: nmousa@asu.edu
There will be quizzes occasionally. These will cover materials from the
homework and class work. They will be unannounced and will be given to
prepare you for your tests. These quizzes cannot be made up.
Taking midterm and final exams. There is no make up for exams
Turn your cell phones off before entering the class. Using cell phones would
result in going one grade down, from A to B.
Talk to me before you withdraw from class, I might be able to help.

Semester Assignments:
Online assignments:
Practice should be understood as your daily homework assignments, essential to
class preparation.
In addition to homework assigned in class by your professor, practice using the
Companion Website is your daily assignment.
The Companion Website should be understood as your workbook assignments,
which primary purpose it to further reinforce and review the material studied in
class.
Your instructor will check your Companion Website for grades and participation.
Online assignments must be completed prior to coming to class.
In order to complete these assignments, you will have to read the
corresponding material in the textbook ,which is always contained on the same
pages as the assignments.
Practice on the Companion Website must be completed by the due dates assigned
by your instructor. There is a 50% penalty for late assignments. Assignments on
the Companion Website are graded, but you have an unlimited number of attempts
to complete most assignments. Once a chapter has been completed and grades
posted on Blackboard, no late assignments will be accepted.
You will need a working microphone for your assignments, or you can use the
Language Lab. You have access to the language laboratories LL61 or LL65 to
complete your online assignments in case you do not have your own computer.
For information about the Language lab schedule call: call 965-5966
In-class Oral participation: Class attendance and participation are especially important.
This is because I will be explaining materials that are not available in the textbook or the
DVDs. I encourage you to plan to be engaged. That is, in speaking, in participating in
small group activities, in volunteering even if you are not sure of your abilities.
Homework: Unless otherwise stated, all homework assignments will be due immediately
at the following date of assignment. It is expected that students will be diligent about
turning homework in on time. Most homework assignments are online. All homework
will be graded. Any homework that is not satisfactory should be redone and resubmitted,
in order to have a better grade.

Arabic 202 Course Syllabus

ASU- Tempe Campus

Quizzes & Final Exam: There will be unannounced short quizzes (10 minutes) every now
and then. There are no make-ups for quizzes. If you should miss one, it will be one of the
two that will be dropped.
There will be few exams, mid-term and final exam. There will be no make up for these
exams. There will also be a presentation, which will be scheduled at a time convenient to
students and instructor. Students will work in pairs or small groups to prepare an oral
presentation, which they will deliver to their classmates and be graded on.
Oral Proficiency Test: Each student will be evaluated through an interview with his/her
instructor on their listening comprehension, their ability to respond intelligibly and
accurately to the questions generated by their instructor.
Students should demonstrate their mastery of the vocabulary, grammatical structures,
and cultural knowledge they have acquired over the semester. These individual oral
proficiency tests will be scheduled during the final week of the class.
Group Presentation: Select a concept of culture from the Arab World and work with
your team members on a 5 minute leading activity/ presentation.
1) Group members, as cultural informants, will prepare and present to the class,
essential information on their selected topic.
2) On your day of presentation, make sure everything is in working order (computer
or VHS/ DVD player, overhead etc) before class starts. Discussion, or other
related activity must follow or accompany your presentation.
3) You can use a PowerPoint if you wish. At the bottom of your PowerPoint file,
provide references of:
a) Two websites on your topic;
b) Two reading list of journals in your topic area;
c) Two pertinent video titles.
4) This is a cooperative endeavor and all group members are required to participate
equally and together in the preparation and presentation. Non-participants in the
planning will lose points. Report non-participants to the instructor by email. Plan
before your presentation so you are not in front of the class debating or deciding
what to say and who should say what. Remember; inadequate preparation leads
to poor presentation which leads to loss of points.
There is no set format for your presentation. Please be creative in your discussion
leading and activity/ presentation but make sure you cover all requirements above.
Make the activity/ presentation interactive and engage all members of the class in
discussion and interaction.
For PowerPoint presentations, please project only outline or important facts that you
are going to talk about. Keep your notes off the overhead. Also, do not read to us
except where a direct quote is necessary. Regardless of the presentation mode(s), be
sure to make the activity/ presentation interactive with ample opportunity for
discussions and interactions.
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Arabic 202 Course Syllabus

ASU- Tempe Campus

Please make sure you do not use just stand around during your time while students
are discussing or involved in activities, be involved!!
Grading Scheme
In-class participation & Attendance: 15 %
Online Homework & Assignments: 25 %
Traditional Homework & Assignments: 10 %
Quizzes and Exams: 40 %
Presentations: 10 %
Grading Scale
98-100%: A+
90 -97%: A
88-89%: A-

86-87%: B+
80-85%: B
78-79%: B-

68-77%:
C
60-67%:
D
less than 60: E

Rubric for Evaluation of Class Participation

A student (90 -100%)

Initiates interaction, volunteers and participates actively in

discussions and group activities.
Uses only Arabic for asking/answering questions, in class
discussions and group activities.
Is always prepared, answers readily when called upon.

B student (80 89%)

Participates actively in group activities, but passively in

discussions.
Occasionally resorts to English, but Only uses Arabic for
asking/answering questions, in group activities and class
discussions.
Is almost always prepared, usually answers when called upon.
Participates more passively then actively in group activities
and discussions.
Often resorts to English and is often not prepared for
class,
Sometimes unable to answer.

C student (70 - 79%)

D student (60 - 69%)

Rarely participates in group activities and class discussions,

Generally is unprepared for class.
Speaks mostly English and is mostly unable to answer.

E student (0-59%)

Fails to engage in classroom activities,

Lacks any preparation for class, uses only English
Unable to answer any questions.

Arabic 202 Course Syllabus

ASU- Tempe Campus

Proposed Study Schedule
WK of Aug. 21:
Introduction and Review
WK of Aug 25& WK of Sept 1 (Sept 1st labor day, no classes)
Lesson 6
WK of Sept 8
Exam 1
WK of Sept 15 &22
Lesson 7
WK of Sept 29
Exam 2
WK of Oct 6 & 13 (Oct 13& 14 Fall Break, no classes)
Lesson 8
WK of Oct 20
Exam 3
WK of Oct 27 & Nov 3rd
Lesson 9
WK of Nov 10 (Nov 11 Veterans Day, no classes)
Exam 4
WK of 17 & 24 (Nov 27-28 Thanksgiving, No classes)
Lesson 10
WK of Dec 1
Exam 5
Last day of school is Dec 5th
Final Exams are Dec 8- 13
Grades are due Dec 8-15

This schedule is only a guideline and might be changed for reasons decided by the
instructor. Do your best to be in class to know of any changes.

Arabic 202 Online Homework

Lesson 6

6-V1, 6-L1, 6-L2, 6-D1, 6-V2, 6-L3, 6-L4, 6-D6, 6-G1, 6-D7A, 6-D7B,
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Arabic 202 Course Syllabus

ASU- Tempe Campus

6-D9, 6-D11, 6-D13, 6-D14, 6-d15, 6-D17, 6-D18, 6-D19, 6-g2, 6-D21, 6D24, 6-D25, 6-D29, 6-D30, 6-D31
Lesson 7

&-V1, 7-D1, 7-D2, 7-V2, 7-D4, 7-D5, 7-D8, 7-D11. 7-D12, 7-D15,
7-D16, 7-D17, 7-D21, 7-D23, 7-D29, 7-D30, 7-D32, 7-D33, 7-D34

Lesson 8

8-V1, 8-D1, 8-D2, 8-V2, 8-D4, 8-D5, 8-D6, 8-D7, 8-G1A, 8-G1B, 8-D8,
8-D9, 8-D12, 8-D17, 8-D19, 8-D21, 8-D22, 8-D23, 8-D25, 8-D27, 8D28, 8-D29
9-V1, 9-D1, 9-D2, 9-D4, 9-D5, 9-V2, 9-D7, 9-D8, 9-D9, 9-D11, 9-D12,
9-D15, 9-D17, 9-D18, 9-G1A, 9-G1B, 9-D19, 9-D27, 9-D29, 9-D32, 9D33
10-V1, 10-D1, 10-D2A, 10-D2B, 10-D4, 10-D5, 10-V2, 10-L1A, 10L1B, 10-D8, 10-D9, 10-D10, 10-G1A, 10-G1B, 10-D12, 10-D13, 10G2A, 10-G2B, 10-D19, 10-D22, 10-D23, 10-D24, 10-D27, 10-D28

Lesson 9
Lesson 10

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Spring 2014
Course: _____________________________
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Arabic 202 Course Syllabus

ASU- Tempe Campus

Instructor: __________________________
I, the undersigned, _______________________________________ (print name),
hereby acknowledge that I have read and understood the course syllabus, and that
I will follow all course policies as outlined in the syllabus.
Student Academic Integrity and Code of Conduct
I hereby acknowledge that I have read and understood the ASU policies on
Student Academic Integrity and Code of Conduct as outlined on the ASU web site
and on my course web site. I pledge that I will not engage in any form of
plagiarism, that any work submitted by me is mine alone, and that I will follow
the guidelines outlined in the above mentioned documents.
Online Exams and Assignments
I furthermore pledge that any online assignment or exam submitted under my
name is mine alone, that it has been written or recorded by me personally, that I
have not received any help for it, and that I have not used any online translators
for my writing assignments.
Signature: ___________________________________
Date: ___________________

Student Information Sheet

Name: ___________________________ Semester:_______________
ASU email: _______________________ ID#: ___________________
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Arabic 202 Course Syllabus

ASU- Tempe Campus

Todays date:_____________
Course info: ARB _________ Line # ____________Meeting time: _____________
No

1. Have you studied Arabic previously?

Yes

If yes, when: _______________________________W here: ___________________

Instructor & grade earned (optional): ____________________________
2. Have you studied other foreign languages?
No
Yes
If yes, which: ____________________________________________
3. Do you speak any foreign languages in your household?
No
Yes
If yes, which: ____________________________________________
4.Why did you choose to study Arabic?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
5. Is there anything else that I should know about you, your personality, your
circumstances, that you consider relevant?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
6. Have you travelled abroad?
No
Yes
If yes where? When and where?
________________________________________________
8. Would you like to study abroad in an Arab country?
No
Yes
9. For a semester?
No
Yes
10. During the summer?
No
Yes
11. Would you like to receive additional information about study abroad?
No
Yes