California University of Pennsylvania
Guidelines for New Course Proposals
University Course Syllabus
Department of Art and Languages
UCC Approval date: 03/27/17
A. Protocol
Course Name: Special Topics in Arabic
Course Number: ARB 810
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
Maximum Class Size (face-to-face): N/A
Maximum Class Size (online): 35
B. Objectives of the Course:
Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
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Identify and summarize critical issues/events related to the historical development of the topic of study as
well as general hypotheses concerning future directions.
Define, recognize, describe, and produce examples of core concepts fundamental to the course topic.
Compare and contrast major theoretical perspectives within the area of study.
Identify the various learning methodologies used in this area of specialization to support the varying
theories related to the topic.
Apply concepts and techniques to issues and problems faced by professionals working in this area.
Demonstrate knowledge of professional behavior (e.g., ethics, multicultural awareness) through
discussion and evaluation of relevant course activities.

C. Catalog Description:
This course provides students the opportunity to explore and research graduate-level topics of interest that are
not available as regular course offerings of the University.
D. Outline of the Course:
The outline of the course will need to be develope relative to the specific needs of the course.
1. Introduction to the Topic
2. Historical Overview
3. Research Foundations/Methods
4. Theoretical Perspectives
5. Applications
6. Professional and Ethical issues
7. Final Exam, Paper, & Presentation
E. Teaching Methodology:
1. Traditional Classroom Methodology – N/A
2. Online Methodology - The faculty member who has been assign the class can utilize a variety of
teaching formats. These can include but are not limited to: Power Point presentations, threaded
discussions, virtual classroom experiences, web site “trips,” individual projects/presentations, reading
tutorials, chat rooms, and other methods at the faculty member’s discretion.

F.

Suggested Texts:
Varies, depending on the topic of the term.

G. Assessment Activities:

1. Traditional Classroom Assessment – N/A
2. Online Assessment – The assessment of the student learning will be dictated by specific objectives
and content of the topic of the term, and the faculty member’s discretion. However, activities will
typically take the following forms:
a. Objective tests
b. Essay exams
c. Papers (Critiques, book reports, thought pieces, case analyses, research proposals)
d. Role-plays
e. Guided Interviews
f. Discussions
g. Debates
h. Presentations
i. Threaded discussions
j. Power Point Presentations
k. Projects
OSD
Revised June 2015
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Students reserve the right to decide when to self-identify and when to request accommodations. Students
requesting approval for reasonable accommodations should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities
(OSD). Students are expected to adhere to OSD procedures for self-identifying, providing documentation and
requesting accommodations in a timely manner.
Students will present the OSD Accommodation Approval Notice to faculty when requesting accommodations that
involve the faculty.
Contact Information:
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Location:
Phone:
Fax:
Email:
Web Site:

Carter Hall - G-35
(724) 938-5781
(724) 938-4599
osdmail@calu.edu
http://www.calu.edu/osd

H. Title IX Syllabus Addendum

California University of Pennsylvania
Reporting Obligations of Faculty Members under Title IX
of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §1681, et seq.

California University of Pennsylvania and its faculty are committed to assuring a safe and productive educational
environment for all students. In order to meet this commitment and to comply with the Title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972 and guidance from the Office of Civil Rights, the University requires faculty members to
report incidents of sexual violence shared by students to the University’s Title IX Coordinator, Dr. John A.
Burnett, Special Assistant to the President for EEEO, Office of Social Equity, South Hall 112, Burnett@calu.edu,
724-938-4014. The only exceptions to the faculty member’s reporting obligation are when incidents of sexual
violence are communicated by a student during a classroom discussion, in a writing assignment for a class, or as
part of a University-approved research project. Faculty members are obligated to report sexual violence or any
other abuse of a student who was, or is, a child (person under 18 years of age) when the abuse allegedly occurred
to the person designated in the University protection of minors policy.

The University’s information regarding the reporting of sexual violence and the resources that are available to
victims of sexual violence is set forth at:
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I.

Office of Social Equity, South Hall 112, 724-938-4014
o Social Equity Home Page
www.calu.edu/SocialEquity
o Social Equity Policies
www.calu.edu/SEpolicies
o Social Equity Complaint Form
www.calu.edu/SEcomplaint
Counseling Center, Carter Hall G53, 724-938-4056
End Violence Center, Carter Hall G94, 724-938-5707
Student Affairs, Natali Student Center 311, 724-938-4439
Wellness Center, Carter Hall G53, 724-938-4232
Women’s Center, Natali Student Center 117, 724-938-5857
Threat Response Assessment and Intervention Team (T.R.A.I.T.) & Dept. of Public Safety &
University Police, Pollock Maintenance Building, 724-938-4299
o EMERGENCY: From any on-campus phone & Dial H-E-L-P or go to any public pay phone
& Dial *1. (*Identify the situation as an emergency and an officer will be dispatched
immediately.)

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:
Fields of study are broad and dynamic, and a vehicle is needed on which to provide students with cutting
edge information or diverse information that is not available in current course offerings. This course would be
one vehicle by which to provide such information.
L. Specialized Equipment or Supplies Needed: None.
M. Answer the following questions using complete sentences:
1) Does the course require additional human resources? (Please explain) No
2) Does the course require additional physical resources? (Please explain) No
3) Does the course change the requirements in any particular major? (Please explain) No
4) Does the course replace an existing course in your program? (If so, list the course) No
5) How often will the course be taught? As needed for graduation (Fall/Spring/Summer/Winter).
6) Does the course duplicate an existing course in another Department or College? (If the possibility exists,
indicate course discipline, number, and name) No
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. N/A

O.

Please identify if you are proposing to have this course considered as a menu course for General Education.
The General Education Committee must consider and approve the course proposal before consideration by
the UCC. No, this course is a graduate course for the MA Social Science: Arabic.

P. Approval Form: Provide the Approval Form (Signature Page) with the signatures of your department Chair
AND college Dean (electronically).