CLASSICAL ARABIC COURSE CODES
ARB100 ARB101 ARB102 ARB103 ARB104 ARB105 ARB201
ARB202 ARB203 ARB204 ARB205 ARB301 ARB302 ARB303
ARB304 ARB305 ARB401 ARB402 ARB403 ARB404 ARB405
ARB501 ARB502 ARB503 ARB504 ARB505 ARB601 ARB602
ARB603 ARB604 ARB605
ARB100 Secrets of Classical Arabic Letters: Unveiled (1 credit)
For centuries, scholars, linguists and grammarians have engaged in an intense study of the various facets of the Classical Arabic language, including the meanings of the Classical Arabic letters. Did you know that each letter in the Classical Arabic language has several meanings embedded in it? When these Arabic letters are combined together, the meanings of each of these letters coalesce to give meaning to a word; to endow a word with subtleties and particularities not available in other words describing the 'same' object. That's why there are over 70 words describing what we term a 'house' and over 50 describing what we term the 'sea' in the Classical Arabic language. No previous knowledge of Classical Arabic required to take this course.
ARB101 Classical Arabic: Reading & Writing (3 credits)
WHAT TO EXPECT This introductory course sets the foundation for a beginner student of the Arabic language, taking him or her from no knowledge of Arabic to a high-level of reading proficiency. By the end of this course, students will be able to read any vowelled Arabic text and to properly articulate the letters of the Arabic alphabet.
PREREQUISITES None. This course is intended for students with no previous knowledge of the Arabic language.
COURSE OVERVIEW The course begins with an overview of the history of the Arabic script, analyzing its development from its inception until modern times. This allows the student to begin to develop an appreciation of the Arabic script, as well as an understanding of its cultural, religious and political significance. Following this introduction, the greater part of this course will teach the student how to read the Arabic script. The Arabic Alphabet will be taught in its order of articulation and an emphasis will be placed on proper pronunciation and articulation of the letters. Students will also be taught all the possible forms that each letter may take as it appears in the Arabic script as well as the various vowels that are placed on the letters. The final component of this course practically applies this knowledge by extensive practice of reading words, phrases and sentences.
LESSON OVERVIEW:
Lesson One: Letter Recognition– Students will become acquainted with the form/shape of each letter, the sound it makes and how it is written. Proper articulation of the letters will be stressed.
Lesson Two: Form Recognition, Vowels and Construction – The forms of every letter are taught in all of their possible positions in Arabic words, as they appear at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of words. All vowels that appear on letters and ‘stretching’ (Elongation Letters) sounds will be discussed.
Lesson Three: Reading – The knowledge of letters, forms and vowels will be combined in the extensive practice of reading basic Arabic words. During this process, students will also be acquainted with the meanings of the words they are reading, simultaneously building vocabulary. In the course of practicing their reading, students will also be introduced to short word compositions in the forms of phrases and sentences.
Lesson Four: Review – The final lesson will be a tutorial in which the theory learnt in the course will be reviewed and practical application exercises will be provided to consolidate the course material and to prepare students for the examination.
Lesson Five: Examination – An optional examination will take place at the end of the course for students who would like the opportunity to benefit from the examination process. Students who would like to attain a credit in the course are required to take the examination, and to pass with a mark of at least 85%. The examination is not a requirement to take subsequent courses.
ARB102 Classical Arabic: Introduction to Grammar (3 credits)
WHAT TO EXPECT This course is the first in a series of courses teaching the basics of Arabic grammar by use of the classical text Al-Âjurrūmiyyah, a famous primer of Arabic grammar. By the end of this course, students will be introduced to the means by which classical Arabic was preserved throughout the centuries as well as familiarity with the key scholars who figured in this process. Students will also understand the concept of Kalām (Speech) which is central to an understanding of Arabic grammar, as well as the three types of speech – nouns, verbs and particles – as well as the signs by which they may be recognized.
PREREQUISITES Successful completion of ARB101 is recommended. Possession of equivalent basic reading and writing skills [as taught in ARB101] are required.
COURSE OVERVIEW The course begins with an overview of the history of the classical Arabic as a language, discussing the ways in which it was preserved throughout the centuries before and after the advent of Islam. Students will also be introduced to some of the most eminent scholars of Arabic grammar and the contributions they made to maintain and propagate the Arabic the language of knowledge and civilization throughout the Arab and non-Arab regions of the Islamic empire. Students will also begin the first chapters of the Âjurrūmiyyah. Chapter one, entitled ‘The Chapter of Speech’ will introduce the student to the concept of Kalām, or speech, by which the grammarians determined that which the discipline of grammar is concerned with. It will also familiarize the student with the three elements or types of speech, namely: nouns, verbs and particles; their characteristics and the signs associated with each category. This will enable the student to recognize each category of words which will prove very helpful in subsequent study. Students will also gain approximately 60 news words of vocabulary throughout the course, as well as an understanding of some of their roots.
LESSON OVERVIEW:
Lesson One: Historical Overview– A historical overview of the classical Arabic language, its preservation, and the key scholars of Arabic grammar will be introduced.
Lesson Two: Kalām (Speech)– The concept of Kalām will be introduced, giving students a greater appreciation of what the discipline of grammar discusses. The definition of Kalām in the Âjurrūmiyyah will be unpacked and discussed in detail.
Lesson Three: Categories of Speech– Students will be introduced to the definitions, characteristics and identifying signs of the three categories of Kalām–Al-Fi‘l (The Verb), Al-Ism (The Noun) and Al-Harf (The Particle). Practical exercises will be provided for students to learn to identify and distinguish between these types of words by the presence or absence of their signs. The concept of Khafdh as a grammatical state will also be introduced.
Lesson Four: Review– The final lesson will be a tutorial in which the theory learnt in the course will be reviewed and practical application exercises will be provided to consolidate the course material and to prepare students for the examination.
Lesson Five: Examination– An optional examination will take place at the end of the course for students who would like the opportunity to benefit from the examination process. Students who would like to attain a credit in the course are required to take the examination, and to pass with a mark of at least 85%. The examination is not a requirement to take subsequent courses.
ARB103 Classical Arabic: Pronouns A (3 credits)
WHAT TO EXPECT This course constitutes part I of a two-part series discussing Arabic pronouns (Dhamā`ir). In classical Arabic, pronouns are affixed to all three categories of words – verbs, nouns and particles. By the end of this course, students will have learnt over seventy Arabic pronouns, including their meanings, usages, associated connotations, and the way in which they may be employed with various forms of speech.
PREREQUISITES Successful completion of ARB102. Possession of basic reading and writing skills [by the completion of ARB101 or otherwise] are also required.
COURSE OVERVIEW The course will begin with an introduction to the concept of pronouns, or Dhamā`ir, which are central to the study of the Arabic language. Three primary categories of pronouns will be studied in this course: detached or independent pronouns (Dhamā`ir Munfasilah), affixed pronouns (Dhamā`ir Mutasilah) and demonstrative pronouns (Asmā`-ul-Ishārah).
LESSON OVERVIEW:
Lesson One: Introduction to Pronouns & Detached Pronouns – Students will be introduced to the importance and usage of pronouns in the Arabic language. The category of ‘detached’ or ‘independent’ pronouns (Dhamā’ir Munfasilah), twelve in total, will be discussed in detail. Examples will be provided to enable the student to situate these pronouns while studying Arabic.
Lesson Two: Affixed Pronouns – The category of ‘affixed’ pronouns (Dhamā’ir Mutasilah) will be taught. The various forms of this "affixation" will also be discussed – "prefixes" placed at the beginning of a word; "suffixes" which appear at the end of a word and "infixes" which are affixed within words. Students will also be provided with an outline of the cases in which these types of affixed pronouns may and may not be used in verbs, nouns and particles. Extensive practice exercises will be provided to assist students in solidifying their understanding.
Lesson Three: Demonstrative Pronouns – Students will be given a detailed description to the category of demonstrative pronouns or (Asmā`-ul-Ishārah) which are commonly used pronouns in the Arabic language.
Lesson Four: Review – The final lesson will be a tutorial in which the theory learnt in the course will be reviewed and practical application exercises will be provided to consolidate the course material and to prepare students for the examination.
Lesson Five: Examination – An optional examination will take place at the end of the course for students who would like the opportunity to benefit from the examination process. Students who would like to attain a credit in the course are required to take the examination, and to pass with a mark of at least 85%. The examination is not a requirement to take subsequent courses.
ARB104 Classical Arabic: Verbs A (3 credits)
WHAT TO EXPECT This course constitutes part II of a two-part series providing an overview of Arabic verbs (Af‘āl), to which students were introduced in ARB102. By the end of this course, students will have a thorough understanding of the twin concepts of I‘rāb and Binā` which form the backbone of the theory of Arabic grammar, and will be introduced to a beginner’s method of grammatical analysis. Students will also be able to recognize and distinguish between the three categories of verbs: Mādi, Mudāri‘ and Amr.
PREREQUISITES Successful completion of ARB102 and ARB103. Possession of basic reading and writing skills [by the completion of ARB101 or otherwise] are also required.
COURSE OVERVIEW The first half of the course will deal with the second chapter of the Âjurrūmiyyah which discusses the concept of I‘rāb, which can best be described as the theory which governs the logic of Arabic grammar. In short, this theory posits that the endings of Arabic words change based on the ‘states’ of I‘rāb which they enter, and manifest these states with ‘signs’ depending on the type of word in question. Students will be introduced to the four grammatical ‘states’ of I‘rāb, namely: Raf‘, Nasb, Khafdh (discussed in ARB101) and Jazm, as well as the obverse concept of Binā ’. Subsequently, students will be taught some of the ways in which words manifest these states with either explicit (Thāhir) or implicit (Muqaddar) signs, along with the reasons for which signs are implicit or assumed. The second half of this course will focus on introducing the student to the three categories of verbs, including their grammatical states, identifying signs and characteristics. Students will also be introduced to a basic type of grammatical analysis which will enable them to consolidate all of the theory learnt to date and will begin to prepare them for more elaborate exercises of I‘rāb which will be introduced in subsequent courses.
LESSON OVERVIEW:
Lesson One: Introduction to I‘rāb – Students will be introduced to the concept of I‘rāb, central to the theory of Arabic grammar, including its definition and the contrasting concept of Binā`. Students will also become acquainted with the four grammatical state of I‘rāb (Raf‘, Nasb, Khafdh and Jazm) which will be extensively detailed in subsequent courses.
Lesson Two: Implicit and Explicit Signs of I‘rāb – The explicit and implicit signs by which grammatical states of I‘rāb are manifested will be introduced. Students will be given extensive exercises by which to assimilate this information.
Lesson Three: Categories of Verbs – The three categories of verbs - Mādi, Mudāri‘, and Amr – will be detailed. Students will be taught how to recognize the three types, their respective grammatical states and identifying characteristics.
Lesson Four: Review – The final lesson will be a tutorial in which the theory learnt in the course will be reviewed and practical application exercises will be provided to consolidate the course material and to prepare students for the examination.
Lesson Five: Examination – An optional examination will take place at the end of the course for students who would like the opportunity to benefit from the examination process. Students who would like to attain a credit in the course are required to take the examination, and to pass with a mark of at least 85%. The examination is not a requirement to take subsequent courses.
ARB105 Classical Arabic: Pronouns B (3 credits)
WHAT TO EXPECT This course concludes the two-part series detailing Arabic pronouns (Af ‘āl), building on knowledge of pronouns gained in ARB103. By the end of this course, students will have learnt about three other categories of pronouns utilized frequently in the Arabic language . Students will also be given a thorough overview of the various signs associated with the four grammatical states of i‘rāb introduced in ARB103.
PREREQUISITES Successful completion of ARB102, ARB103 and ARB104. Possession of basic reading and writing skills [by the completion of ARB101 or otherwise] are also required.
COURSE OVERVIEW The first half of this course will provide an overview of three additional categories of pronouns: Al-Ism-ul-Mawsūl, (Relative Pronouns), Asmā`-ul-Istifhām (Interrogative Pronouns), and a secondary category of personal pronouns. These pronouns will also serve to enrich the students’ pool of vocabulary. The second half of this course will discuss the signs of I‘rāb associated with the grammatical states of Raf‘, Nasb, Khafdh and Jazm, which begins a discussion of the third chapter of the Âjurrūmiyyah, ‘The Chapter of the Signs of I‘rāb”.
LESSON OVERVIEW:
Lesson One: Relative Pronouns – Students will be taught the two categories of Al-Ism-ul-Mawsūl, or relative pronouns which are frequently used in the Arabic language. Students will learn the distinction between the two types of general relative pronouns Mā and Man, as well as a series of specific relative pronouns.
Lesson Two: Interrogative Pronouns – Students will be taught the meanings and usages of an array of interrogative pronouns, Asmā`-ul-Istifhām, which are utilized in for questioning and inquiring in the Arabic language.
Lesson Three: Signs of I‘rāb – The signs associated with the grammatical states of I‘rāb will be outlined and explained at a high level. Subsequent courses will further detail these signs.
Lesson Four: Review – The final lesson will be a tutorial in which the theory learnt in the course will be reviewed and practical application exercises will be provided to consolidate the course material and to prepare students for the examination.
Lesson Five: Examination – An optional examination will take place at the end of the course for students who would like the opportunity to benefit from the examination process. Students who would like to attain a credit in the course are required to take the examination, and to pass with a mark of at least 85%. The examination is not a requirement to take subsequent courses.
ARB201 Classical Arabic:Nominal Sentences (3 credits)
WHAT TO EXPECT This course, the first in the 200-level, continues with the explanation of the classical text of Arabic grammar Al- Âjurrūmiyyah . By the end of this course, students will be able to identify and differentiate between the various types of nouns in their singular and plural forms. They will also be able identify the four signs associated with the state of Raf‘ and the word categories to which they apply .
PREREQUISITES Successful completion of all 100-level courses is required.
COURSE OVERVIEW Having been introduced to the categories of nouns in ARB 104 and the signs of I‘rāb, students will now be given an exposition of the categories of nouns, both singular and plural, namely: Al-Ism-ul-Mufrad, Jam‘-ul-Mu thakkar As-Sālim, Jam‘-ul- Mu’annath As-Sālim and Jam‘-ut-Taksir. Students will be introduced to the two types of sentences – Ismiyyah (nominal) and Fi’liyyah (verbial), including a detailed breakdown of the elements of the nominal sentence: the Mubtada’ (beginning) and Khabar (informant) . The second half of the course will discuss the third chapter of the Âjurrūmiyyah , providing a detailed explanation of the four signs associated with the state of Raf‘ – Adh-Dhammah, Al-Wāw, Al-Alif and An-Nun. In addition, other categories of words will be introduced, including Al-Asmā’- ul- Khamsah (the five nouns) and Al-Af‘āl-ul-Khamsah (the five verbs) .
LESSON OVERVIEW:
Lesson One: Categories of Nouns – A detailed explanation of the three categories of plural nouns will be taught, namely: Jam‘-ul-Mu thakkar As-Sālim, Jam‘-ul- Mu’annath As-Sālim and Jam‘-ut - Taksir. Students will also complete extensive exercises to become familiar with the formation of these plurals.
Lesson Two: Types of Sentences – The two types of sentences, Ismiyyah (nominal) and Fi'liyyah (verbial) will be taught. The nominal sentence will be unpacked and explained in detail, including the characteristics of its two components, the Mubtada` (beginning) and Khabar (informant), as well as the five types of Khabar.
Lesson Three: Signs of Raf‘ – The four signs associated with the grammatical state of R af‘ will be discussed in detail. Other categories of words covered in this section will also be taught, including Al-Asmā’- ul- Khamsah (the five nouns) and Al-Af‘āl-ul- Khamsah (the five verbs) .
Lesson Four: Review – The final lesson will be a tutorial in which the theory learnt in the course will be reviewed and practical application exercises will be provided to consolidate the course material and to prepare students for the examination.
Lesson Five: Examination – An optional examination will take place at the end of the course for students who would like the opportunity to benefit from the examination process. Students who would like to attain a credit in the course are required to take the examination, and to pass with a mark of at least 85%. The examination is not a requirement to take subsequent courses.