Arabic 2

Subject ARBC10006 (2013)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2013.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 1 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2013.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Two 2-hour language seminars per week.
Total Time Commitment:

4 contact hours, plus 6 additional hours. 120 hours per semester, including class time.

Prerequisites:

Students must have completed ARBC10005 Arabic 1A or ARBC10005 Arabic 1 or equivalent to be eligible to enrol in this subject.

New students will have their appropriate entry point determined by the Arabic Program, based on evidence of prior learning and/or results of a placement test as required. Placement Test information available here.

Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects:

Students who have successfully completed ARBC10006 Arabic 1B are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

Dr Christina Mayer

cmayer@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject forms a thorough introduction to spoken and written Arabic language and Arab culture for students with some knowledge of Arabic. Students will gain an understanding of, and the ability to use constructively some important structures of the language. Vocabulary and grammar will be learnt and activated through working with texts affording insights into Arab culture, at this stage concentrating on sociocultural matters related to interpersonal, intergenerational and family relations, some aspects of everyday living and social conventions. Students will also begin developing a good knowledge of the Arab World, its countries, aspects of its history and traditions and some of the personages who have helped shape the ideas that have informed its recent past. They will acquire the ability to express themselves at a basic level about these topics both in speaking and in writing. In the process, students will be aided by state-of-the-art textbooks, authentic language materials, both written and audio-visual, and the interactive online program developed by Asia Institute staff.

Objectives:

On completion of this subject, students will:

  • have acquired some important grammatical structures of the Arabic language along with an understanding of their functions, and the ability to use these to engage in written and oral communication and to construct meaning;
  • have developed a clear spoken facility at a basic level in Modern Standard Arabic;
  • have developed the ability read and interact with a variety of Arabic text types such as advertisements, charts, TV programs, catalogues, menus, notices, brochures/information leaflets, newspaper articles, short biographies and poems;
  • have developed the ability to create a variety of written text types in Arabic (e.g. advertisements and notices, diary entries, (auto) biographical information, personal accounts and descriptions);
  • have added to their sociocultural knowledge related to interpersonal relations, living conditions, and everyday living in the Arab World;
  • have acquired some sociolinguistic competence enabling them to appropriately interact with the peoples of the Arab World;
  • have acquired more detailed knowledge of some Arab countries and cities;
  • have acquired some familiarity with the achievements, thoughts and works of some modern Arab writers.
Assessment:

Coninuous homework assessment (10 pieces of written assignments. throughout the semester) 20%, continuous speaking assessment (throughout the semester) 15%, mid-semester written test (during the middle of semester) 20%, a 10-minute oral examination (during the examination period) 15% and a 2-hour written examination (during the examination period) 30%. Class attendance is required for this subject; if you do not attend a minimum of 80% of classes without an approved exemption you will not be eligible for a pass in this subject. Assignments submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

Prescribed Texts:
  • Brustad, K., Al-Batal, M. & Al-Tonsi, A., Al-Kitaab fii Tacallum al-cArabiyya with DVDs. A Textbook for Beginning Arabic. Part 1. Washington, D. C.: Georgetown University Press.
Recommended Texts:

None.

Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • consolidate general study skills facilitating the effective use of learning opportunities, using materials for independent learning and co-operating effectively in pair and group work;
  • acquire skills to deploy limited resources creatively to engage with unfamiliar structure(s) and/or content and develop interactional communication skills;
  • be able to allocate time regularly and consistently to acquire knowledge and skills that can only be built up over extended periods of time;
  • consolidate time management and planning skills through managing and organising workloads and assignment completion;
  • learn to give attention to detail through assignment preparation and writing;
  • develop public speaking skills through group and class discussions and presentations;
  • develop openness and sensitivity to unfamiliar cultural practices and traditions and hone intercultural communication skills.
Notes:

Students will have their appropriate entry point determined by the Arabic Program, based on evidence of prior learning and/or results of a placement test as required. Placement Test information available here.


Related Course(s): Diploma in Modern Languages (Arabic Studies)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Arabic
Arabic
Arabic
Arabic Studies Major
Related Breadth Track(s): Arabic - Entry Point 1

Download PDF version.