Arabic I

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/G_BATRSAL002

Course Objective

After finishing this course, the student:
- knows written and oral elementary Arabic language utterances and can understand and use them; (knowledge, insight and skill);
- is able to recognize, understand and use written and oral language utterances in Arabic (knowledge, insight and skill);
- is able to apply these elementary grammatical constructions of those lessons in Arabic;
- is able to have a simple elementary conversation in standard Arabic and to present him/herself;
- is be able to understand and to translate a short Arabic text.

Course Content

During Arabic I, the students will study: the alphabet, elementary spelling (short and long vowels, shadda), the article, spelling of the hamza, spelling of the alif (alif al-madda and al-maqṣūra), gender, cases, the personal pronoun, suffixes of the person, the adjective, the nisba noun, the interrogative pronouns, the particles of jarr, the concept “to have”. In addition, simple reading texts are regularly distributed in the lessons to prepare at home and to read together in class. In class, Arabic is used as the language of instruction as much as possible. In addition, short dialogue exercises are offered.

Teaching Methods

Seminars. For complete language acquisition, the student must be exposed to all elements of the language, including: reading, writing, listening and speaking. This is crucial to gaining an overall competency and fluency in Arabic. In each course, a dictation will be done. This exercise is precious and essential at the beginning of the language learning.

Method of Assessment

Homework will be given for each next course and must be send to the teacher before the course. Seriousness, rigour and attendance result in a bonus for the student in his global average at the end of the period. Assessments consist of:
- Assignment (25%)
- Oral exam (25%)
- Final exam of 3 hours consisting of oral and written expression and comprehension (50%)
- Oral participation and homework (bonus)

Literature

There is no book to purchase for this module. All teaching material willbe provided by the teacher.

Target Audience

The course is part of the Bachelor Theology and Religious Studies: track Islam, and of the Minor Arabic and Sources of Islam.

Custom Course Registration

You can only register for this course if you are enrolled in the minor Arabic and Sources of Islam, or if you are taking the Islam track (part of the bachelor of Theology and Religious Studies), the Free Choice track (part of the bachelor of Theology and Religious Studies) or the History and International Studies track (part of the bachelor History).

Additional Information

After three absences without justification, the student will automatically fail the final exam and will have to take the resit to complete this course.

Recommended background knowledge

This course is designed for students without prior knowledge of Arabic. We will start from the level 0, so there is no need for a specific background knowledge.