California University of Pennsylvania
Guidelines for New Course Proposals
University Course Syllabus
Approved: February 21, 2013
Department of Modern Languages, Philosophy & Socio-Cultural Studies
A.

Protocol
Course Name: Elementary Arabic I
Course Number: ARB 101
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
Maximum Class size (face-to-face): 35
Maximum Class size (online): 40

B.

Objectives of the Course:
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
• Distinguish basic messages that consist of learned phrases and identify high frequency
words and familiar material when incorporated into new phrases. (Listening)
• Construct simple personal messages using memorized words and phrases, compare
and contrast between the sound systems of Arabic language and English. (Speaking)
• Assemble Arabic sounds to produce words and phrases and recognize familiar words by
sight. (Reading)
• Connect Arabic letters and write complete and coherent everyday used phrases and
reproduce from memory some familiar words or phrases demonstrating dictation in
their writings. (Writing)
• Identify the Modern Standard Arabic language as being the form used throughout
the Arab world.
• Describe and differentiate the Arab culture including religions, dress, food and
everyday life, and differentiate among those of the Arab world and other countries.

C.

Catalog Description:
This is the beginner level in Arabic. This course covers and emphasizes the
development of the basic skills of the Arabic language and includes instruction in basic
pronunciation, comprehension, communication, and grammar. Students will also
become acquainted with the culture of the Arab world and establish a solid foundation
for more advanced courses in Arabic.

D. Outline of the Course (Suggested):
Following is a list of topics that will be covered in this course:
I. Overview of Arabic Language
a. Difference related to the English language

b. Formal and spoken Arabic
1.
Levantine Colloquial
2.
Egyptian Colloquial
3.
Other Arabic Dialects
c. Pronunciation of Arabic
d. Transliteration system
II. Arabic Alphabet and Numerals
a. Alphabet
1.
The twenty eight Arabic letters
2.
Special characters used in Arabic
3.
Writing Styles
b. Numerals 0- 10 and telling time
III.

Introduction to Prepositions of Location
a. Under
b. On
c. Next to

IV.

Introduction to Roots and Patterns
a. Recognizing patterns
b. Roots and the Arabic dictionary

V.

Grammatical Endings
a. Indefinite endings
b. Definite endings
c. Feminine endings

VI.

Vocabulary and conversation
a. Greetings and Salutations
b. Meeting people
c. Introducing People
d. Descriptions of objects, people, places, professions
e. Everyday vocabulary
f. Describing with Adjectives
g. Making inquiries about people/places
h. Personal descriptions and feelings
i. Accepting/refusing invitations; making requests
j. Expressions used with "Allah"

VII.

The Arabic Culture and People
a. Christmas and other holidays in the Arab World

b. The Coffee House
c. Expressing Sympathy
d. Proper Cultural Etiquettes
i. Shaking hands and saying "hello" and "good bye"
ii. Proper body language and expectations
iii. Appropriate ways to respond using language and gesture
iv. Guest and Hosts' Roles
v. Asking for things politely
vi. Forms of Address
VIII.

E.

Arabic Sources
a. Arabic radio and television
b. Arabic resources on the internet
i. Arabic videos
ii.Arabic websites

Teaching Methodology:
1) Traditional Classroom Methodology:
Cooperative learning is the major teaching method in this course. The instructor will
serve as a facilitator to the learning process in class. We will work together to learn more
about Arabic language by keeping up with the required readings and doing the required
class work. To this end, the instructor will use short lectures, videos, papers and
presentations, homework, and class discussion. It is expected that all students will take
part in these discussions.

2) Online Methodology:
Quality MattersTM Statement – The online course follows the standards of the Quality
MattersTM rubric.
This class will be offered online. Cooperative learning is the major teaching method in this
course. The instructor will serve as a facilitator to the learning process in class. We will
work together to learn more about Arabic language by keeping up with the required
readings and doing the required class work. To this end, the instructor will use short
lectures, videos, work papers and presentations, homework, and class discussion. It is
expected that all students will take part in these discussions.
F.

Texts (Suggested):
•

Al-Tonsi Abbas, Al-Batal Mahmoud, Brustad, Kristen Alif Baa with DVDs:
Introduction to Arabic Letters and Sounds (3rd. Edition) Georgetown University Press:
Washington, D.C.

G.

•

Student are also expected to purchase a book key ($24.95) to the online book
exercises, login to the book's "Companion Website" at
http://www.alkitaabtextbook.com/books and create an account. Course code and
instructions were sent to students via email and are posted under the D2L course
content.

•

Additional readings will be available on D2L.
Assessment Activities:
1) Traditional Classroom Assessment:
Quizzes/Exams
Homework
Paper(s) & Presentation(s)
Class Discussions/Participation
2)

Online Assessment:
Quizzes/Exams
Homework
Paper(s) & Presentation(s)
Class Discussions/Participation

H.

30%
20%
20%
30%

30%
20%
20%
30%

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities:
•
•
•
•

Reserve the right to decide when to self-identify and when to request accommodations.
Will register with the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) each semester to receive
accommodations.
Might be required to communicate with faculty for accommodations which specifically
involve the faculty.
Will present the OSD Accommodation Approval Notice to faculty when requesting
accommodations that involve the faculty.

Requests for approval for reasonable accommodations should be directed to the Office for Students
with Disabilities (OSD). Approved accommodations will be recorded on the OSD Accommodation
Approval notice and provided to the student. Students are expected to adhere to OSD procedures for
self-identifying, providing documentation and requesting accommodations in a timely manner.
Contact Information:
• Location:
• Phone:

Azorsky Hall – Room 105
(724) 938-5781

•
•

I.

Fax:
Email:
Web Site:

(724) 938-4599
osdmail@cup.edu
http://sai.calu.edu/osd

Supportive Instructional Materials, e.g. library materials, web sites, etc.
Video and audio tapes dealing with Arabic culture will be made available.
Additional Information for Course Proposals

J.

Proposed Instructors:
Qualified Instructor to teach Arabic.

K.

Rationale for the Course:
Arabic language is one of the most critical languages in this world. After 9/11, the federal
government, Congress, and the Academic community acknowledged the shortage of Arabic
speaking personnel to deal with terrorism. With the war in Iraq and the deployment of
thousands of military personnel, the need of people with knowledge of this language is
evident. Arabic is needed for communication in these situations. Professionally prepared
Cal U college graduates who are fluent in this language will have a greater chance to be
hired in both the public and private sectors since a large number of American companies
are doing business in the Middle East.

L.

Specialized Equipment or Supplies Needed:
Specialized equipment or supplies are not needed for course instruction.

M.

Answer the following questions using complete sentences:
1. Does the course require additional human resources? (Please explain)
The course does not require additional human resources.
2. Does the course require additional physical resources? (Please explain)
No, additional physical resources are not required.
3. Does the course change the requirements in any particular major?
(Please explain)
No, the course does not change any major requirements.
4. Is the course replacing an existing course? (If so, list the course)
No, the course does not replace an existing course.
5. How often will the course be taught?
The course will be offered every year.

6. Does the course duplicate an existing course in another Department or College? (If
the possibility exists, indicate course discipline, number, and name)
No, it does not duplicate an existing course in another Department or College.
7.

What is the recommended maximum class size for this course?
The recommended maximum class size for this course is 35 face to face and 40
online.

N.

If the proposed course includes substantial material that is traditionally taught in another
discipline, you must request a statement of support from the department chair that houses
that discipline.
No, the proposed course does not include substantial material that is traditionally taught
in another discipline.

O.

Please identify if you are proposing to have this course considered as a menu course for
General Education. If yes, justify and demonstrate the reasons based on the categories
for General Education. The General Education Committee must consider and approve
the course proposal before consideration by the UCC.
It will be proposed for consideration as menu course for General Education in Humanities
and Cultural Awareness.
We are requesting Elementary Arabic I (ARB 101) to be included in the general education
menu because it is a course that satisfies the rubric “Humanities.” Students who want to
take this class have been asking about using it to satisfy their “Humanities” requirement.
This class introduces students to Arabic language. They learn four skills in another
language: reading, writing, listening and speaking as well as general cultural information
about the customs and traditions of the peoples of the Arab world. Thus, it fits perfectly
under the general heading of “Humanities.”
We are requesting Elementary Arabic I (ARB 101) to be included in the general education
menu because it is a course that satisfies the rubric “Multi-Cultural Awareness.” Students
who want to take this class have been asking about using it to satisfy their multi-cultural
awareness requirement. This class introduces students to Arabic language. They learn four
skills in another language: reading, writing, listening and speaking as well as general
cultural information about the customs and traditions of the peoples of the Arab world.
Thus, it fits perfectly under the general heading of “Multi-Cultural Awareness.”

P.

Provide Approval Form (electronically).

Additional Guidelines
The following are additional guidelines that you must follow which will expedite your course
proposal. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in the return of the proposal to the
department.
1.

Be sure that your proposal is in the correct format (Guidelines for New Course
Proposals) and that all questions have been completely answered.

2.

Be sure that you have completed and attached the Application to Establish a New
Course form and/or the Advisement Sheet Revision form and that the appropriate
signatures have been affixed. Please send through the process electronically (the
preferred method) or by paper. No items will be placed on the agenda until the
Chair of the UCC is in possession of these forms.

3.

Be sure that you include an updated advisement sheet for any course that is being
required by the department or is classified as a restricted elective. In addition, you
must include an electronic copy (MS Word or PDF) of the current advisement
sheet(s) with your proposal. Be certain that all advisement sheets affected by the
proposed course change be included with your proposal.

4.

When submitting materials for consideration by the Curriculum Committee, you
must provide an electronic copy of each item to be reviewed to the Chairperson.

5.

All completed items must be in the hands of the Chairperson of the Curriculum
Committee a minimum of one week prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting.

6.

Any department requesting a course name change, number change, prefix changes,
credit changes, etc. must submit this request on the Application to Establish a New
Course Form and submit electronically.

7.

New advisement sheets, major proposals, minors, or changes to advisement sheets
will become effective the fall semester following committee approval. The
advisement sheets must also include the committee approval date and the
effective date on the advisement page. Submit this request on the Advisement and
/or Program Changes form.

8.

New courses will become effective the semester following committee approval.

9. Any references listed must be in the appropriate bibliographic format for the
discipline.

10. Online courses must follow the Quality Matters™ rubric and is posted on the UCC
website. Be sure that you include the online teaching methodology statement (refer
E.2 above) that refers to the Quality Matters™ rubric.
11. All course objectives must follow Bloom’s Taxonomy learning domains located on
the UCC website.