HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM - CENTRAL COLLEGE
World Languages
ARABIC 1411
CRN: 25318
TIMES/DAYS/LOCATION
M,W
BEGINNING ARABIC I
5:30 – 8:50pm
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Muthanna AlKhaldi
Email. muthanna.alkhaldi@hccs.edu
OFFICE HOURS:
Credit: 4 (3 Lecture, 2 Lab) 12 weeks – Second Start
Spring 2010
FAC 308
PHONE:
713-718-6678
Textbook
Ahlan Wa Sahlan: Letters and Sounds of the Arabic Language by Mahdi Alosh (ISBN 978-0300-14048-4)
Ahlan Wa Sahlan by Mahdi Alosh, Second Edition (ISBN 978-0-300-12272-5)
Course Description
Arabic 1411, Beginning Arabic I, is a four credit-hour course, which meets five hours per
week(Regular Term), six hours and forty minutes (Second Start). It is part of the four-semester
beginning and intermediate (1411-1412, 2311-2312) sequence. The course transfers to
universities as foreign language credit. It also satisfies the cross-cultural component of the HCCS
core curriculum.
In Arabic 1411 you will listen to, speak, read and write Arabic. Vocabulary, language patterns,
and grammar are introduced and applied in the context of practical communication. You will
learn Arabic vocabulary, expressions, and structures relating to college studies, personal identity,
home and family, getting acquainted, describing people and places, activities and leisure, dining
and cuisine, transactions in a store or restaurant.
You will also learn cultural information about values, beliefs, and practices related to the above
situations and to speakers of Arabic. In a more general sense, you will learn about the cultural
contexts of the Arabic language. The class includes dialogues, tapes, oral and written exercises,
role-playing, partner or group work.
End-of-Semester Performance Level Descriptions
Listening Comprehension: Comprehend words, phrases, and sentences of the standard spoken
language where the context is familiar.
Speaking: Speak using words, phrases, and some short sentences in a limited number of familiar
contexts. Speech will be hesitant with frequent inaccuracies.
Reading: Read and interpret the language that will consist mainly of vocabulary previously
learned. May be able to understand materials at a higher level where the material is
contextualized.
Writing: Write short simple sentences, using learned vocabulary and a limited number of
grammatical structures. Topics deal mainly with personal life and interests.
Cultural Awareness
- Be able to identify regions and countries where Arabic is spoken.
- Demonstrate knowledge of a few basic facts about several Arabic-speaking countries or
regions.
2
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Show understanding of Arabic customs relating to introductions and initial social
contacts, interaction in public places, dining, interaction between family and friends.
Demonstrate understanding of the interrelationship between culture and language.
Attendance and Promptness
Class will begin at 5:30 PM. Please be on time, as coming and going disrupt the class. Attendance
is essential. It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from my class before the last day
for Administrative/Student Withdrawal, which is Thursday, April the 22, 2010 before 4:30
p.m.
Class Buddies
It is your responsibility to find a class buddy, who can get handouts for you if you are absent and
who will let you know about any assignments that you miss.
Course Grade
50% 3 major tests (Oral and Written Portions)
20% final exam (Oral and Written Portions)
20% written homework
10% attendance
HCCS Grading System:
90-100%
A
80-89%
B
70-79%
C
60-69%
D
59 & below
F
Makeup Policy
There is no makeup for any major test made during any absence. Therefore, your grade will be
ZERO if you miss any test. I will drop the lowest grade, so try not to miss any class and be on
time.
Cell Phones and Beepers
Please turn off all cell phones and beepers before class. Their use disrupts the class.
Policy on Academic Dishonesty
Students are expected to do their own work, unless an assignment is made specifically as a group
assignment. Plagiarism (handing in another person’s work as your own), or cheating will result in
a grade of F for the assignment, or test in question. For a second offense, the student may receive
a grade of F for the course.
Reasonable Accommodations: Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical,
learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations
must contact the Disability Services Office-Room LHSB 106, or call (713) 718-6164 at the
beginning of each semester. Faculty are authorized to provide only the accommodations
requested by the Disability Support Services Office."
I hope you find Arabic an interesting and rewarding subject. I look forward to working with you
this semester!
3
Course Schedule
Week One
Feb.17
Introduction
Lessons 1(Arabic Alphabet)
Week Two
Feb.22
Feb.24
Lessons 1 and 2 (Arabic Alphabet)
Lesson 2
Week Three
March 1
March 3
Lesson 3
Lesson 4
Week Four
March 8
March 10
Lesson 5
Exam I (lessons 1-5)
March 15
March 17
Spring Break
Spring Break
Week Five
March 22
March 24
Lesson 6
Lessons 6 and 7
Week Six
March 29
March 31
Lesson 7
Lessons 7 and 8
Week Seven
April 5
April 7
Lesson 8
Lesson 9
Week Eight
April 12
April 14
Exam II (lessons 6-9)
Lesson 10
Week Nine
April 19
April 21
Lessons 11
Lesson 12
Week Ten
April 26
April 28
Lesson 12
Exam III (Lessons 10-12)
Week Eleven May 3
May 5
12th week
May 10
Restaurant Scene
Review for Final Exam
Final Exam at 5:30p.m
GOOD LUCK!!!