Faculty
Link to Profiles of Full-time Department Faculty
Associate Professor: Tama Engelking (Chairperson); Assistant Professors: Hebat El-Attar, Abed Tayyara.
Course Descriptions
Students with native experience of Arabic may not enroll for credit in 100-level courses in Arabic.
All students with training or experience in Arabic other than a previous course in that language at Cleveland State must consult a counselor in the Department of Modern Languages for assistance in deciding where to enter the Arabic sequence. Failure to seek counseling may result in schedule shifts during the first week of class.
ARB 101, 102 Arabic I, II (4-2-5). Prerequisite: ARB 101: None; ARB 102: Completion of ARB 101 with a "C" or better or permission of instructor. Essentials of Arabic usage; practice in hearing, speaking, reading, and writing. Lab fee. Return to top
ARB 193, 293, 393, 493 Special Topics in Arabic (1 to 4 credits). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Study of a particular topic in Arabic language, literature, or civilization. May be repeated with a change in topic. Return to top
ARB 194, 294, 394, 494 Special Topics in Arabic (Writing) (1 to 4 credits). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Study of a particular topic in Arabic language, literature, or civilization. May be repeated with a change in topic. Return to top
ARB 201 Intermediate Arabic I (4-0-4). Prerequisite: ARB 102 or permission of instructor. Focus on culture and language as well as on improving listening, speaking, reading, and writing abilities. Includes language laboratory component in Media Lab. Return to top
ARB 202 Intermediate Arabic II (4-0-4). Prerequisite: ARB 201 or permission of instructor. Ongoing review and expansion of skills development through reading short narratives, conversation and media. Readings are drawn from literary texts and articles on contemporary Middle Eastern society. Includes language laboratory component in Media Lab. Return to top
ARB 274 Introduction to the Middle East (4-0-4). This course is designed to introduce students to the history, religious diversity, political systems, economy, and culture of the Middle East. The course includes a brief examination of ancient Middle Eastern civilizations and its history to the world. The course also examines important historical junctures influencing the region today. It will include the contents, similarities, and diversities of Middle Eastern culture. The course examines three monotheistic religions and how Middle Easterners vary widely in their religious beliefs. It explores how this religious variance impacts Middle Eastern culture. The course introduces students to multiple aspects of the arts. Cross-listed with HIS 274 and PSC 274. Return to top
ARB 301 Conversation and Composition (4-0-4). Course effective Spring 2009. Prerequisite: ARB 202 or the equivalent, or permission of instructor. Advanced conversation and composition in Arabic; improvement of all language skills and grammar with an emphasis on oral expression. Return to top
ARB 302 Writing and Media (4-0-4). Course effective Spring 2009. Prerequisite: ARB 301 or the equivalent, or permission of instructor. Advanced conversation and composition in Arabic; improvement of all language skills and grammar. Writing emphasis using media related materials and topics. Return to top
ARB 335 Survey of Arabic Literature and Culture (4-0-4). Course effective Spring 2009. Prerequisites: ARB 301 or ARB 302 or permission of instructor. This course uses Arab films to introduce students to major cultural features of the Arab world. Students complete reading and writing assignments in Arabic. May be cross-listed with MLA 235. Return to top
ARB 345 Arabic Resources of Cleveland/ Service Learning (1 to 4 variable credits). Course effective Spring 2009. Prerequisite: ARB 201 or ARB 202, or permission of instructor. This is a service learning course that complements class meetings with field study assignments to engage students with Arabic-speaking communities in the Cleveland area. Readings and writings in Arabic. May be cross-listed with MLA 245.. Return to top
ARB 371 Survey of Arabic Literature and Culture (4-0-4). This course introduces students to important works representative of Arabic literature and its progression from the earliest recorded sources to the present. Literary works will be discussed in their cultural and historical context, and will include a variety of genres. Texts will be taught in English translation. Note: effective Spring 2009: Title: Introduction to Classical Arabic Literature; Description: Prerequisites: ARB 301 or 302, or permission of instructor. This course introduces students to classical Arabic literature from the pre-Islamic period to the Abbasid caliphate. Works are examined in their social and historical context with an emphasis on the religio-political discourses of early Islamic society. Taught in Arabic. Return to top
ARB 372 Introduction to Modern Arabic Literature (4-0-4). Course effective Spring 2009. Prerequisites: ARB 301 or ARB 302, or permission of instructor. This course is an introduction to Modern Literature in Arab societies (e.g. Morocco, Egypt, Syria), with a focus on major writers form the late 19th and 20th centuries. Taught in Arabic. Return to top
ARB 380 Women in the Arab World (4-0-4). Course effective Spring 2009. Prerequisite: ARB 301 or the equivalent, or permission of instructor. Examines women in Arab societies as portrayed in literature, film and art. Focuses on questions of identity related to topics such as family roles, religion, education, and politics. Readings and writings in Arabic. May be cross-listed with MLA 280. Return to top