Levantine Arabic I

In this course students will establish a foundational knowledge of the Arabic dialect spoken in the Levant (Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan), with particular emphasis on the widely-understood Damascene Syrian Arabic. Through focusing on listening, speaking, and some written texts in a variety of contexts, we will work on the pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammatical structures specific to Levantine Arabic to enhance communication skills as well as general knowledge of Arab culture. Course materials will be drawn from a variety of sources, including textbooks, media, films, and songs. The course serves as a preparation for study abroad in an Arab country. (ARBC 0103) 3 hrs. lect./disc.