California University of Pennsylvania
Guidelines for New Course Proposals
University Course Syllabus
Approved: September 11, 2014
Department of Modern Languages, Philosophy & Socio-Cultural Studies
A.

Protocol
Course Name: Arabic Translation
Course Number: ARB 402
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: ARB 350
Maximum Class size (face-to-face): 35
Maximum Class size (online): 35

B.

Objectives of the Course:
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
Translate Arabic documents for use in professional settings.
Apply skills to specialized translation.
Practice and apply basic translation techniques to obtain translations that are faithful to
the original Arabic text and correctly expressed in English.
Develop a high standard of professionalism through knowledge of the translation field, its
business practices, social issues, and code of ethics.
Exhibit confidence in both English & Arabic through contextualized translation practice.

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C.

Catalog Description:
This course introduces students to the basic techniques of Arabic-English translation.
Students will work on stylistic, syntactic, technical, and cultural problems encountered in
the Arabic-English translation process. It focuses on the process and quality of translation
with emphasis on cultural differences. Exercises will provide translation practice with
different types of texts and documents.

D.

Outline of the Course may include the following topics:
1.

Analysis of Arabic source texts

2.

Arabic- English translation exercises using various types of Arabic texts &
documents.

3.

Introduction to types of translation equivalence

E.

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-English translation 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.

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 how to translate a variety of Arabic texts and documents
into English by keeping up with the required readings and doing the required class work.
To this end, the instructor will use short lectures, videos, presentations, homework, and
class discussion. It is expected that all students will take part in these discussions.
F.

Suggested Texts:
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Farghal, M. & A. Shunnaq (1999) Translation with Reference to English & Arabic.
Jordan: Dar AlFalah
Hatim, Basil and Munday, Jeremy (2004): Translation, an advanced resource book.
London: Routledge
Munday, Jeremy (2001): Introducing Translation Studies. Theories and Applications.
London: Routledge
Routledge Encyclopaedia of Translation Studies (ed. Mona Baker), 1998
Venuti, Lawrence (ed.) (2004): The Translation Studies Reader. London: Routledge
Additional readings will be available on D2L.

G.

Assessment Activities:
1) Traditional Classroom Assessment:
Quizzes
Class Discussions/Participation
Translating texts and documents
Final exam
2)

Online Assessment:
Online Quizzes/Exams

20%
10%
60%
10%
20%

Online Discussions Participation
Translating texts and documents
Final exam
H.

10%
60%
10%

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities:
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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: Azorsky Building – Room 105
• Phone: (724) 938-5781
• Fax: (724) 938-4599
• Email: osdmail@calu.edu
• Web Site: www.calu.edu (search “disability”)
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I.

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:
The United States government has designated Arabic as one of the strategic languages. Thus, the
Department of Education launched language initiatives for “engaging foreign governments and
peoples, especially in critical world regions, and for promoting understanding, conveying respect
for other cultures, and encouraging reform." The “linguist” job becomes one of the demanding

jobs in the US. The US government looks for people who can translate a variety of texts and
documents from Arabic into English and vise versa. Students will learn how translation works
and understand what goes on inside the mind of the translator of Arabic-English texts and
documents. Students will also be able to identify the type of Arabic-English texts through their
acquiring of the analytical skills of various English & Arabic discourse genres and to apply the
required strategies and techniques in the translation of various types of texts.
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 in alternate years.
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.

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 not be proposed for consideration as menu course for General Education in
Humanities and 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.